Bridgeport, W.Va. – The Mountain East Conference released their Preseason Volleyball Coaches’ Poll on Friday afternoon with the West Liberty University volleyball team picked to finish third in the North Division, accumulating 37 points in the poll, just one point behind Fairmont State in second. The Hilltoppers look to continue their recent success in 2023, coming off their first-ever NCAA Division II Volleyball Tournament berth in 2022.

RETURNERS

Several key players are back in West Liberty’s rotation this year, including Nyia Setla, who became only the second All-American in program history after earning Third Team D2CCAA All-American a year ago. Setla also garnered First Team D2CCA & AVCA All-Region, MEC Libero of the Year, and First Team All-MEC honors after she led the MEC and ranked third in NCAA Division II in both digs (707) and digs per set (5.80). Another returner with all-conference accolades is Liv McAtee who earned MEC All-Freshman Team honors after notching 139 kills (1.48 kills per set) and 47.0 total blocks in her first season on the hilltop.

Riley Cudnik and Kaija Sydlowski are the team’s top two returning attackers, recording 252 kills (2.42 kills per set) and 192 kills (1.66 kills per set) respectively. Sydlowski also led WLU with 40 service aces last season, followed by Setla with 35. The Hilltoppers return two setters who saw significant playing time last season, as Haley Zeck led the team with 677 assists and Laura Gamel totaled 136.

While Setla was the leader of the WLU defense with 707 digs, the Hilltoppers return four of their top five dig leaders from a year ago as Sydlowski (276), Katelyn Fritz (254), and Zeck (209) all added 200+ digs of their own. At the net the Hilltoppers look to replace their top-3 block leaders as Cudnik and McAtee are the top two returners with 70.0 and 47.0 total blocks in 2022.

• Nyia Setla – 707 digs, 67 assists, and 35 service aces
• Liv McAtee – 139 kills, 47.0 total blocks, and 35 digs
• Riley Cudnik – 252 kills, 87 digs, and 70.0 total blocks
• Kaija Sydlowski – 276 digs, 192 kills, 40 service aces, and 22.0 total blocks
• Haley Zeck – 677 assists, 209 digs, and 31 service aces
• Laura Gamel – 136 assists, 60 digs, and 8 service aces
• Katelyn Fritz – 254 digs, 78 kills, 15 service aces, and 15.0 total blocks

NEWCOMERS

Head coach Riley Jarrett welcomes five newcomers to the West Liberty volleyball program this fall, with one by way of transfer and four incoming freshmen. Headlining this year’s group of incoming talent is Page Gross (Hudson, Ohio), who comes to WLU after playing two seasons at NCAA Division I Robert Morris. Also new to the hilltop as true freshmen are Ashley Cudnik (Canal Fulton, Ohio), Kylie Hanson (Algonquin, Ill.), Dakoda Keni (Kahuku, Hawaii), and Adrienne Staib (Fenton, Mich.).

NOTABLE GAMES

West Liberty will play a total of three games against teams who are currently receiving votes in the 2023 Preseason AVCA/Taraflex Division II Volleyball Poll, with games against Clarion and Wheeling. The Hilltoppers will also play an additional five matches against teams who qualified for the 2022 NCAA Division II Volleyball Tournament, with contests against Ashland, Indiana (Pa.), Charleston, and Fairmont State.

• September 1 at Ashland
• September 5 vs. Indiana (Pa.)
• September 15 vs. (RV) Clarion
• September 22 at Charleston
• September 29 vs. Fairmont State
• October 10 vs. (RV) Wheeling
• November 3 at Fairmont State
• November 10 at (RV) Wheeling