MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (August 18, 2022) – The St. Thomas University (STU) Volleyball team is set to take the court back for the 2022 season tonight at 6 p.m. from the Fernandez Family Center Gym against the defending national champions, Missouri Baptist University. The Bobcats are set for another competitive season within the Sun Conference.
 
St. Thomas Volleyball is coming off a hot 2021 season claiming the regular season title, the first since 2017. Head Coach, Whitney Battoe, was named the Sun Conference Coach of the Year for the first time in her career leading the team to a 12-2 SUN record and getting her first 20-win season. Bianca Grassi was the name on everyone's scouting report as the freshmen made a statement winning Libero of the Year and earning seven SUN Defensive Player of the Week honors.
 
The Bobcats were selected to finish first in the Sun Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. Coach Battoe stated, "Of course it is an honor to be voted to finish first in the conference but we know the real work comes now. We are not focused on the poll, we are focused on being great every day and getting better."
 
The expectation level has risen for the Bobcat Volleyball program as the team has grown in the past two season under Coach Battoe. "The expectation for this season is to make sure our program lives by the gold standard. We want to make sure we are doing all of the little things perfectly, and we trust that winning, success, and growth will be a byproduct of living the gold standard," explained Coach Battoe.
 
The team brings a good mix of experience and knowledge with 13 returners, four transfers and three freshman. Key players to keep your eye out for is Sun Conference Player to Watch, Bianca Grassi. The sophomore libero is ready to continue to grow on her already impressive freshmen resume. Amanda Allende is another standout outside hitter that is heading into her senior season. The four-year starter was named a First-Team All-SUN member last season. Allende had 240 kills last season and 78 digs. Alexandra MacAskill highlights the transfers coming from NCAA Division II, Adams State University in Colorado. MacAskill recorded 183 kills and scored 229.5 points in 99 sets last season.
 
The season will have a tough start playing the defending national champions to kick off the season. "We are extremely excited to open against the back-to-back national champions [MBU]. What better way to start the year then to leverage how we compete with the best of the best. We expect this to be a tough match but we enter it with confidence," says Coach Battoe on the tough season opener. The team then plays two scrimmages against two tough competitors in Barry and Florida Southwestern. Then the NAIA run kicks back as the teams take off for the Amber McClure Fayerweather Memorial Tournament hosted by Taylor University in Indiana.
 
Coach Whitney Battoe heads into her third season at the helm and is looking to continue to build on the early success. "Time is flying. These two seasons have taught me a lot about coaching and I am continuously looking for ways to be better for my girls and the program," quotes Coach Battoe. "Winning Coach of the Year last year is a testament to how hard Coach Breno [Ertty] and I are working to make this program better. Coach Breno deserves equal recognition for the award! Winning Coach of the Year has given me confidence that we are continuously moving in the right direction as a program."
 
Watch all the games live on the Bobcat Sports Network via The Sun Digital Network all season long. Follow along on Twitter (@STUVolleyball) and Instagram (@STU_Volleyball) for the latest updates.