2024 Women’s Volleyball Season Preview
2023 record: 16-17 (10-8 Heart)
Starters returning/lost: 3/3
Letterwinners returning/lost: 11/9
Notable returners:
Alyvia Johnson, Sr., Owatonna, Minn.
(Honorable-Mention All-America, 321 kills, 371 digs)
Kaya Caprini, Jr., Minneapolis, Minn.
(Honorable-mention all-Heart, 522 digs)
Katlyn Jeter, Sr., Solon, Iowa
(Letterwinner, 121 kills, 182 digs)
Patricia De Souza, Sr., Sao Paulo, Brazil
(Letterwinner, 88 kills, 84 blocks)
Notable losses:
Alyssa Young
(All-Heart)
Riley Hungate
(All-Heart)
Andressa Borges
(All-Heart)
Chyanne Bradford
(Letterwinner)
Notable newcomers:
Khiani Jackson, Jr., St. Joseph, Mo.
Lydia Huston, Jr., Kansas City, Mo.
Brooklyn Cagle, So., Ferndale, Wash.
Nicole McManus, Fr., Las Vegas, Nev.
A veteran roster will look to lead the Statesmen women's volleyball team as it returns to the floor in 2024.
Head Coach Lauren Eldridge guided William Penn to a 16-17 record (10-8 Heart) last fall and a spot in Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship Quarterfinals.
The navy and gold are flush with collegiate experience, both returning and new, paced by AVCA Honorable-Mention All-American Alyvia Johnson (Sr., Owatonna, Minn., Business Management). Kaya Caprini (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn., Psychology) is also back after collecting honorable-mention all-Heart recognition as a sophomore.
Outside Hitter
Johnson topped the Statesmen offense in 2023 with 321 kills on a .218 attack percentage. A double-double machine, the senior also tallied 371 digs with 20 aces and 41 blocks.
Fellow senior Katlyn Jeter (Solon, Iowa, Business Management) is seeking to build off an impactful junior campaign where she managed 121 kills, 182 digs, and 20 blocks.
Newcomer Mariah Reed (Fr., Fulton, Mo., Business Management) will add depth on the left pin, but is also expected to see the court on the right side.
Middle Hitter
Patricia De Souza (Sr., Sao Paulo, Brazil, Fine Arts) leads a trio of individuals in the middle, following a 2023 season where she finished with 88 kills and 84 blocks.
Khiani Jackson (Jr., St. Joseph, Mo., Psychology) and Nicole McManus (Fr., Las Vegas, Nev., Business Management) are both new to WPU's program and will battle De Souza for playing time.
Right Side
The senior duo of Jade Melton (Hallsville, Mo., Psychology) and Delaney Morrow (Moore, Okla., Business Management) return to the right side, while Reed will look to contribute there as well.
Melton recorded 146 kills with 76 digs a year ago, while Morrow added 13 kills and 11 digs.
Setter
Cate Hahn (Sr., St. Charles, Mo., Biology) came on strong last year, earning significant playing time and ending the 2023 campaign with 229 assists and 62 digs.
Newcomer Lydia Huston (Jr., Kansas City, Mo., Biology) heads the remaining setters on the roster who will also vie for the starting spot.
Libero/Defensive Specialist
Caprini's 2023 all-Heart award came on the heels of a team-best 522 digs along with 23 aces. Mia Brady (Jr., Pontiac, Ill., Exercise Science), a former Statesmen setter, is making the transition to the back row after tallying 250 digs and a squad-high 38 aces last season.
Schedule/Conference
The 2024 campaign opens Saturday with William Penn traveling to Sioux Center to play in a triangular at Dordt. The Statesmen will then compete in three tournaments, including hosting the William Penn Labor Day Tournament on August 30-31. The Heart season begins on September 14 at Peru State.
