Roster | Schedule
 
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Unlike the past few years, the 2021 edition of the Kutztown University women's volleyball team will feature length at the front of the net. KU has 13 student-athletes that stand 5-feet-10-inches or taller (more than half of the roster), and four that stand over 6-feet tall.
 
Head coach John Gump, entering his 24th season in charge, has switched it up, looking to be more dominant at the net. And his roster this season should be able to improve upon that area dramatically.
 
"We have tried over the course of the past couple of years to get bigger and more physical at the net," said Gump. "This is the biggest team we have had in a very long time and it presents some different options I think will be beneficial for us. We will have greater flexibility in trying to create matchups at the net. We have added some things to our offense to try to take advantage of that flexibility. It will take some time to get comfortable with everything, but I think we have a chance to be a pretty good offense."
 
Middle hitters in Sophomore Lauren Dougherty (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock South) and freshman Sophia Wentz (Leola, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) are both 6'3", sophomore Grace Ingram (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) is 6'2" and freshman Julia Post (Sellersville, Pa./Pennridge) stand at 6'0". All four bring a unique dynamic, something that can not be taught, but all four are wet behind the ears when it comes to collegiate volleyball. There are 10 underclassmen and 12 Golden Bears overall out of 21 in the program that have not yet competed in a match. Junior Nia Grigsby (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) has seen action in just two matches total in her career. Classmates Emily Freer (Harleysville, Pa./Lansdale Catholic), Sadie Doss (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) (West Chester transfer) and Caroline Weber (Ephrata, Pa./Ephrata) will look to make their marks this season.
 
With all of that youth and inexperience, however, the six returning juniors and seniors that last played in 2019, have stepped up and shown leadership on and off the court. And unlike in years past, this team has needed its upperclassmen to show the way.
 
"We have had quite a few players step up and provide leadership," Gump said. "More than 60-percent of our players have never been through this before. The players who have are doing an excellent job of guiding and mentoring the new players, both at the team level and in position groups. There's lot of opportunities for lots of people to lead and I have been really happy with how the returners have embraced that challenge."
 
Kutztown features four seniors this season, including defensive specialist Gianna Agosti (Nesquehoning, Pa./Marian Catholic), middle hitter Lilly Charlton (Landenberg, Pa./Avon Grove), outside hitter Erin Patterson (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley) and libero Sydney Wilson (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty). This quartet combined has over 75-percent of the overall team's playing experience and will be relied upon heavily this season. Junior right side hitter Lauren Jackson (Stafford, Va./Mountain View) and setter Lexi Morrow (Landisburg, Pa./West Perry) each appeared in at least 25 matches in 2019 and will also need to take on bigger roles in 2021.
 
The Golden Bears may need to some time to get back into full playing mode after the cancellation of last season, but Gump is excited for how hard they are working to get better each day and for the energy they bring upon a new season of volleyball after seeing it get taken away.
 
"They have jumped in full speed from day one and worked hard to get better," said Gump. "We have made quite a bit of progress in the two weeks we have been here and I'm excited to watch the growth of this team continue. It will be important for us to be patient in progress. The opportunity to be back in the gym with our players and working towards some common goals is what I most looked forward to. I'm not sure any of us really knew how much we missed it until we were all together again and able to do everything we wanted to do. I hope we don't lose that feeling as we get deeper into the season."
 
Kutztown is slated to open its 2021 regular season at the Fairmont State Volleyball Classic in Fairmont, W. Va. KU will play four matches between Friday, Sept. 3, and Saturday, Sept. 4. The home-opener is set for Monday, Sept. 13, against Chestnut Hill.