By Jonah Bronstein
The Niagara women’s volleyball team grew up fast.
The youngest team in the nation a year ago, the Purple Eagles won just six games, and finished last in the 10-team Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Still without any seniors, and a starting lineup of all underclassmen, Niagara’s 15-win improvement this season was the biggest in the country. And it netted them then No. 2 seed in the MAAC tournament, which begins today at Canisius, and three major year-end awards.
Third-year coach Susan Clements was named MAAC coach of the year on Saturday, while Michelle James picked up setter of the year honors and Hannah Hedrick was voted defensive player of the year. James, who led the conference with 10.77 assists per game, and Hedrick, who ranked third in kills per set, are both sophomores.
Meanwhile, freshman Kari Honomichl was voted second-team all-MAAC. She seventh in the league in kills per set.
Prior to the season, Clements set her sights on qualifying for the four-team MAAC championship playoff. When she noticed during early non-conference action that the Purple Eagles were finding ways to win when they weren’t playing their best, she reset the goals.
“I don’t think anybody expected that we’d have this much success, but we’re excited about it,” she said. “We were able to pick up wins at the beginning of the season, and it gave them confidence in the system and the philosophy of the program.”
Niagara is 21-8 overall and 14-4 in MAAC play. Two of their conference losses have come against No. 1 seed Fairfield.
In today’s 4 p.m. semifinal, Niagara plays defending champion Siena, which features three-time MAAC offensive player of the year Burgandy McCurty.
The winner will advance to Monday night’s final, which will be shown live on ESPNU.
“That would be a thrill for our girls because it would mean we’ve established ourselves and we’d get the recognition,” Clements said.
