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The 2022 Volleyball season began today, and as the resident volleyball guy on this forum, I figured I'd start a thread for this season as the Tigers go for their 4th straight CAA title. Early signs are promising, with two 3-0 victories on opening day over Norfolk State and East Carolina. The team returns many high-quality players from last season, including Senior Middle Lydia Wiers and Junior Opposite Nina Cajic. Fay Bakodimou has opted to utilize her COVID year and return for a fifth season on the outside, where she will be joined by a very good transfer from New Mexico State, Victoria Barrett. Setter is the biggest question mark position, with two new players entering the starting lineup for the first time: Senior Katie McCracken and Freshman Sarah Jordan. Expectations are as high as ever; the Tigers were voted first in the preseason poll and are heavy favorites to return to the NCAA tournament. The real question, though, is if they can take the next step and claim a Power-5 scalp in the tournament. The pieces are there, here's to hoping it comes together.

Unfortunately, the 3 opponents this week offered no real challenge. Thankfully, there are some tougher non-conference tests to come. Princeton, Radford, and Rutgers will all be fairly tough next week. The week after, though, should be brilliant. They will head to Pittsburgh on Sep. 9-10 to face Bowling Green (one of the strongest teams in the MAC), American (who has dominated the Patriot League for 15 years), and #6 Pitt (who made the Final Four last year). This is the type of nonconference schedule I've been hoping for, and these next two weeks will be a very good indicator of just how good this team is right now.

^ unless you count the 20 time repeat champion dance team

Rob’s “chess playing” since the 2013 season usually has turned out to be playing checkers…and losing

What I would give to be back at Towson right now until November. I so miss the season changes. I’m very excited about this team and what they may be able to accomplish this season. Enjoy those games and that beautiful campus… Every Fall I start to miss Towson!

I'll be there. On a related topic, it appears that there will be no TV/streaming coverage of the Bucknell game. I hope that ain't so.