A new era begins for Massachusetts Maritime volleyball this season, as first year Head Coach Melanie Appleman takes over looking to enjoy the same high level of success that she experienced as a player both at Barnstable High School and at Bridgewater State.  The Buccaneer rookie mentor has a solid mix of returning veterans and talented newcomers in the fold for her inaugural campaign, including six letterwinners from last season.

Here’s a look at how things are shaping up for the 2015 edition of Buccaneer Volleyball:

HITTERS/BLOCKERS.  Senior co-captain Charleen Klangos (Lowell, Mass./Notre Dame-Tyngsboro) led Massachusetts Maritime with 73 kills in 2014, as she returns on the outside after also collecting 140 digs and 22 service aces.   Junior Meaghan Brain (Hanson, Mass./Whitman-Hanson) also shined on the outside a year ago with 49 kills and a team-leading 27 service aces, while fellow junior Melissa Harris (Scituate, Mass./Scituate) lends additional experience after notching 30 kills and 120 digs in the middle.  Senior Emily Calnan (Hingham, Mass./Hingham) will also serve as a Buccaneer co-captain along with Klangos, as she brings size and experience to the middle after recording 20 kills and eight digs last fall, while freshmen Emily Noyes (East Freetown, Mass./Apponequet), Jennifer Roy (Attleboro, Mass./North Attleboro) and Alexandra Meighan (Quincy, Mass./North Quincy) will also look to impact Appleman’s attack during their inaugural collegiate campaigns.

SETTERS.  Junior Emma Ethier (Norton, Mass./Norton) looks to run the Buccaneer offense this fall, as she registered 42 set assists to go with six service aces and 46 digs during the 2014 season.  Klangos and freshman Kaleigh Hoffman (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) will also see time at the setting position for Massachusetts Maritime during the 2015 campaign.

LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS.  Junior Stephanie O’Connor (Westwood, Mass./Westwood) has been the Buccaneers’ top defensive performer over the last two seasons, as she notched a team-leading 226 digs as a sophomore while chipping in with 12 set assists and four service aces last year.  Fellow junior Cassidy Nice (Carver, Mass./Carver) added 28 digs, eight service aces and five kills in 2014 for Massachusetts Maritime, which will also look for contributions on the defensive side from freshmen Jenelle Miller (Scituate, Mass./Scituate) and Sarah Karentz (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Fort Lauderdale).

SCHEDULE.  Massachusetts Maritime will take on a 25-match regular season slate this fall, including six Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference contests as well as the Sixth Annual Maritime Classic during the weekend of September 19-20 with SUNY-Maritime, Maine Maritime and host Merchant Marine.  The Buccaneers will play eight matches inside the friendly confines of the Clean Harbors Athletic Center and will once again battle Pine Manor in a five-game season series set.

The Melanie Appleman era of Massachusetts Maritime volleyball begins on Thursday, September 3^rd when the Buccaneers host Becker in a non-league clash at the Clean Harbors Athletic Center beginning at 7:00 p.m. EDT.