PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — After securing a victory to open the regular season, the University of Maine at Presque Isle volleyball team had lost 12 consecutive non-conference matches before regrouping for a couple wins over the past two weeks. The Owls are now 3-15 heading into their match at UM-Fort Kent this afternoon.
Jonathon Bowman is the new head coach and inherited a team with just two returnees.
Last year, the Owls posted a 4-22 mark. Bowman’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the game, as well as his immense recruiting background, have the Owls hopeful for an improved record and success going forward.
Senior Abby Jewett of Bass Harbor will be looked upon to lead the team this year. An AD3I all-second team player from a year ago, Jewett led the team in kills in 2015 with 146 and digs with 226.
Also lending her experience from last year’s team, Hannah Williams of Park Falls, Nova Scotia received AD3I all-second team honors as a sophomore. She led the team in assists with 232.
The program will look to the many new faces to contribute immediately this year. Freshmen Laura Aroz of Tucson, Ariz., a setter and outside hitter; Cheyenne McMillen of Bells, Texas, an outside hitter and middle blocker; and Esmerelda Galvan, a libero, will be looked upon to be key contributors for the Owls this season.
Also competing for time on the court will be Brooke Smith, a sophomore from Calais, Sara Boies, a freshman from Baileyville and Jasmine Pelletier, a sophomore from Madawaska. All three players look to earn their time as middle blockers and right side hitters. Brooklyn Plummer, a freshman from Washburn, will contribute to the mix, adding depth as a libero.
The Owls will compete as associate members of the Northern Athletic Conference this season. They were picked to finish seventh in the preseason coach’s poll.
They will open conference play on Friday, Sept. 30 at Husson University. On Oct. 1, they will take on both Castleton and Green Mountain in Bangor.
On Saturday, the Owls will host Unity College in a doubleheader matchup that begins at 1 p.m. The squad’s final matches are set for Oct. 22.
