After posting the program’s highest single-season win total in a decade last fall, the Massachusetts Maritime volleyball team has its sights set on more success during Head Coach Melanie Appleman’s second campaign in Buzzards Bay.  The Buccaneers welcome back six letterwinners and four starters in preparation for the always-rigorous Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference slate.

Leadership has always played a role in the program’s tradition both on and off the court over the years, and Appleman will look for that example to be set by seniors Meaghan Brain (Hanson, Mass./Whitman-Hanson), Emma Ethier (Norton, Mass./Norton) and Charleen Klangos (Lowell, Mass./Notre Dame Tyngsboro) as team tri-captains this season.  Appleman, a former all-MASCAC performer at Bridgewater State, says the trio “has set an incredibly positive tone through their actions and work ethic.  They are leaders on the court, in the Regiment of Cadets and in their studies, and the example they set will be one that continues to bring success to themselves and their teammates.”

Here’s a look at how things are shaping up for the 2016 edition of Buccaneer Volleyball:

HITTERS/BLOCKERS.  Klangos, who also served as a team captain in 2015, is the top returning hitter for Appleman this fall, as she posted a team-best 164 kills and 199 points a year ago while chipping in with 170 digs and 29 service aces.  Sophomore Jennifer Roy (Attleboro, Mass./North Attleboro) notched 68 kills and 14 total blocks during her rookie campaign for Massachusetts Maritime, while Brain collected 50 kills, 89 digs and 15 service aces last season.  Sophomore Emily Noyes (East Freetown, Mass./Apponequet) gained valuable experience as a rookie last year, while freshmen Marie Harrison (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth), Jenna Nalette (Goffstown, N.H./Trinity) and Stephanie Robbins (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield) will all be vying for spots in the Buccaneer hitting rotation as newcomers.

SETTER.  Ethier returns to her setting role after starting in all 25 matches for Appleman a year ago, as she recorded 280 total set assists (3.54 per set) and added 140 digs, 16 kills and 12 set assists along the way.  Freshman Michelle Sheehan (Attleboro, Mass./Attleboro) provides additional depth at the setter spot for Massachusetts Maritime as well this fall.

LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST.  Sophomore Jenelle Miller (Scituate, Mass./Scituate) lends experience in a youthful group of defensive specialists for the Buccaneers, as freshmen April Puopolo (Abington, Mass./Whitman-Hanson), McKenzie Hartman (Sudbury, Mass./Minuteman Regional) and Christina Ruggeri (Bourne, Mass./Bourne) will also look to serve as liberos for Appleman as rookies.

SCHEDULE.  Massachusetts Maritime will embark on a 30-match regular season schedule that features 16 contests to be played in the friendly confines of the Clean Harbors Athletic Center, including a nine-match homestand in September that also encompasses the Seventh Annual Maritime Classic with Maine Maritime, Merchant Marine and SUNY-Maritime invading the Cape.  The Buccaneers will also play host to Nichols, Curry, Bay Path, Pine Manor, Eastern Nazarene, Becker, Dean and Wentworth in non-league action while entertaining MCLA, Salem State and Bridgewater State in MASCAC play.  Appleman’s crew hits the road for non-conference clashes with Eastern Nazarene, Mitchell, Suffolk, Dean, Becker, Lyndon State, Pine Manor, WPI and Nichols while heading to Framingham State, Worcester State and Westfield State for league contests.

Massachusetts Maritime begins its new season on Saturday, September 3rd by traveling to Quincy, Mass. to take on host Eastern Nazarene and Mitchell in a non-league tri-match at 11:00 a.m. EDT.