NEWARK, NJ – Co-captains
Gabi Mangieri and
Toni Moppert led a group of seven veterans who met seven newcomers as the Rutgers-Newark women’s volleyball squad opened preseason practice with plans to stage a major improvement in the program.
Fourth-year head coach
Karl France named Mangieri, a returning starter at setter, and Moppert, a junior standout at outside hitter, team captains as drills began in The Golden Dome on Monday.
Coming off of a 4-26 season which included a 1-7 mark in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, the Scarlet Raiders were picked to finish last the league championship race in the annual preseason coaches’ poll. But France believes that he has the players in place to return Rutgers-Newark to the NJAC tournament for the first time since 2006.
2010 NJAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll (PDF)
Back from last season’s starting rotation are sophomores
Rachel Witt,
Stephanie Touzan and
Brianne Swanda as well as senior middle blocker
Crystal Navarro. Senior
Rose Anna Beljour, a three-year letterwinner, rejoins the squad after sitting out the 2009 season.
The Raiders will have to replace departed senior libero
Val Dauti, but the deepest rookie group in several seasons buoys hopes for the resurgence of the Rutgers-Newark program which has posted five NJAC Championships.
Rutgers-Newark travels to Vassar College of September 1 to kick off its season. The Raiders' home opener will be on September 7 against John Jay College at 7 p.m. in The Golden Dome.