CALDWELL, N.J.- The Caldwell University women's volleyball team opens the 2017 season on the road at the Bentley University Tournament this weekend. The Cougars take on Mercy College and Wilmington University to start the season on Friday. Caldwell wraps up their season opening tournament as they face Southern New Hampshire University and host Bentley.
 
Finishing 23-11, the 2016 season was an incredibly successful season for the Lady Cougars. The Cougars defeated Georgian Court University in the opening round 3-2 and rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Post University 3-2 in the semifinals. Caldwell came up short in the championship match to Philadelphia University (now Jefferson).
 
Bringing back ten players from last year's team, the Lady Cougars return a strong seasoned team.  They will be rounding out their numbers by adding five incoming freshmen.  "Each freshman has been hand selected for a specific trait," which Coach Titus believes, "will help not only unify the team but help them grow to the next level."
 
The five freshman include two Texas natives Peyton Elizondo (Fresno, Texas) and Chloe Kissner (League City, Texas), Marina Schlaepfer (Aurora, Colo.), Alejandra Leal Montes (Gurabo, Puerto Rico) and Chiara Chiappalone (Pisa, Italy).
 
The 2017 roster will be led by a pair of returning first team All Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference selections. Senior Katrina Janssen (Seville, Australia) earned CACC First Team All-Conference honors for a second consecutive season while senior Jessica Mitchell (Plainfield, Ill.) was named the CACC Defensive Player of the Year. The offense will be executed by senior Gabrielle Bennett (San Antonio, Texas), and junior Jordan Hoffman (Colorado Springs, Colo.).  Four-year starter and senior Taryn Auyong (Honolulu, Hawaii) will be leading the charge from the outside hitter position with an average of 3.61 kills per set last season.
 
The Cougars under sixth year Head Coach John Titus look to build on their success from last year as they reached the CACC Championship final. Caldwell earned 20 wins for a third consecutive season and the seventh time in the last eight seasons. Titus had guided the Cougars to the post season in each of his five seasons, reaching the championship match in 2012 and 2016.
 
Caldwell was picked to win the CACC North Division in the preseason coaches poll. The Cougars received nine first place votes as they totaled 93 points to take the top spot in the North Division.
 
The 2017 season features 10 home conference matches and full slate of 19 total matches in CACC play. Caldwell opens CACC play on Wednesday, September 13 as they host Felician University at 7 pm. For the complete schedule, click here.