THROGGS NECK, NY - The Maritime College women's volleyball team just missed out on the Skyline Conference playoffs a season ago, but with some key additions to the roster the Privateers are gearing up for what would be their fourth playoff appearance in the last six seasons.

"We are expecting a strong and healthy returning roster as well as four good freshmen who will be excellent additions to the squad," said head coach Michele Murray. "Our expectation is always to make playoffs and I definitely think we have the team to accomplish that goal."

Maritime lost their starting middle and top offensive option from a year ago in Meredith Hayes (Houston, Texas/St. Agnes Academy), but Murray is confident that the returners and newcomers to the team will fill in the gaps on offense. In 2018, Celyna Custodio (Danbury, Conn./Danbury) was second on the team in kills with 160 in just her first collegiate season. Custodio, as well as Abby Steele (Crossville, Tenn./Stone Memorial) and Meghan Eagleton (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham) are expected to play a major role in the offense this season. Steele and Eagleton combined for 229 kills at the outside position last year.

Another key returner for the Privateers comes at the setter position. Erika Kirchner (Meadowmere Park, N.Y./Lawrence) facilitated the offense in 2018 and tallied 504 assists, as well as a team-high 49 service aces.

"Meredith did a great job of taking Celyna under her wing," said Murray. "Celyna has already started doing the same with the two incoming middles that we have. We're returning Erika as well at setter who's confidence and skill continue to grow."

Kirchner and Steele will lead the Privateers through the 2019 season as junior captains."It's definitely an honor to be chosen as a captain," said Steele. "I've always tried to do as much as I could for this team and now I'm going to do a little bit more with Erika by my side."

Defensively, Maritime returns their starting libero, Abigail Solomos, as well as their defensive specialist, Rylee Malone (Southington, Conn./University High School of Science & Engineering). Solomos led the team in digs last year with 213, while Malone chipped in 125. The Privateers defense was one of their strongest aspects in the 2018 season and they will look to continue to be a tough team to win points against in the 2019 season.

Newcomers to the team in 2019 include Katie Solinsky (East Lyme, CT/East Lyme), Rebecca Garcia (Yonkers, NY/Academy of Mount St. Ursula), Erica Pagano (Lawrence, NY/Lawrence), and Brooke Kirchner (Lawrence, NY/Lawrence). Maritime opens up play against CCNY on Tuesday, September 3 at 7 p.m. Watch the full season preview video below!