Women's Volleyball opens 2022 season with four-game slate

ORANGE, Calif — Women's Volleyball is back in action, and the Panthers are poised to make another run into the SCIAC tournament.

Here are some things you need to know about the squad heading into the fall 2022 season.

New kids on the block

Chapman will see some new faces on the court this season, including a trio of standout transfers from all across the country.

Junior Marly Johnson, an outside hitter from Washington, heads to Chapman after two seasons at the University of New Hampshire. While with the Division I Wildcats, Johnson saw time as a defensive specialist, recording eight digs. 

Sophomore Julin Kenison emerges after a standout season at Folsom Lake College. In her freshman campaign, Kenison hit at a .237 clip securing 3.01 kills/set and nearly four digs/set.

The final transfer comes from Whittier College, and she just happens to be the daughter of head coach Mary Cahill. Kadie Daniel, a junior setter, played in 13 sets last season with the Poets and collected 20 assists.

Oh Captain(s) my Captain(s)

Cat Helgeson and Leighton Gagnon are tasked with taking over as the 2022 team captains. The seniors each had great junior campaigns, and will look to build on that success moving forward.

Helgeson, who will enter her third season as a starter, has led the Panthers in digs the last two seasons, and has finished top-two in the SCIAC and top-20 in the nation in digs. 

Gagnon emerged as a star right side in 2021. She played in 88 sets totalling 180 kills, including a 10-kill game against Occidental last season leading the Panthers to victory.

Off to the races

As the Panthers gear up for the season they will jump right into action on Friday, Sept 2. Chapman will take on NYU and UCSC at 9:30 and 11:45 at Pomona-Pitzer. On Saturday, the Panthers will play two more games, this time at La Verne against St. Scholastica and Whitman at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

By Joe Perrino

Assistant SID / Recreation Sports Manager

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