BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College Women's volleyball team is loaded with previous letter winners as well as a group of solid freshmen, and the team is poised to make a run at the Landmark Conference playoffs. This year's team was selected to finish fourth in the conference's preseason poll.

"Everyone is very enthusiastic about playing this season and ready to work hard, and they have really shown it," said Head Coach Shelley Bauder. "Our defense has also improved during this off season and all of the new players have really stepped up and showed what they are made of and that they are ready to work hard for the team.

After another stellar year, junior middle blocker Taylor Kornmann was named to the Landmark Conference All-Conference Second Team, boasting 338 kills last season to go along with a 77 blocks. Another component back to this year's team is sophomore outside hitter Mary Zacher, who contributed 282 kills, in addition to adding 323 digs on the defensive side of the ball. Setting up all of these kills is senior setter Megan Szkolnicki, who finished last season with a total of 1,024 assists, and 100 kills.

Another important cog on the defensive side of the ball is sophomore libero Jean Markovic. Markovic led the team in digs with 516 and tossed in 60 assists over the course of the season. Playing along side Markovic is senior co-captain defensive specialist Andrea Giardina, who contributed 189 digs and 17 service aces, while junior co-captain and opposite hitter Jaclyn Smith had 79 kills, 29 blocks and 23 digs in a season limited by injury a year ago.

The Greyhounds start their season at home on Tuesday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. versus DeSales University in Johnston Hall.