Simmons Volleyball is about to embark on another season under Head Coach Jason Conetta, who in 2008 led the team to its first winning season since 1999, in his second year at the helm of the program. The Sharks closed the season with a 13-11 overall record, and a 6-6 mark in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. The Sharks also entered the GNAC postseason with its highest-ever 7th seed ranking.

The 2008 roster was comprised mostly of freshman athletes, and graduated no seniors, resulting in a more experienced Simmons team to take on their GNAC opponents in 2009. Six freshmen and one transfer athlete will follow the lead of their returning teammates, with the goal of obtaining a home court playoff game and making it to the finals of the GNAC tournament.

Leading the way is returning senior captain Jessica Hambleton (Methuen, Mass.), senior captain Amanda Weaver (Eaton, Ohio), and junior captain Nicky Loring (Derry, N.H.). Hambleton anchored the Sharks' offense last season as team libero, totaling 252 digs and 21 service aces. Weaver, new to the team in 2008, quickly took leadership of the team and became starting setter for Simmons Volleyball. Coach Conetta will look to her to mentor freshmen setter Rachel Dufalt (Westport, Mass.) and libero Melissa Martin (North Smithfield, R.I.) and prepare them to take on a strong court presence. Loring, sidelined in 2008 with injury and illness will return to help lead the attack from as a versatile outside and right side hitter.

The new faces also include sophomore Morgan Powell (Orange, Mass.), a transfer from Elmira College, freshman outside hitter Kelly Last (West Haven, Conn.), and freshman right side Kelly Dowd (Holden, Mass.).

Sophomore Meaghan Flynn (Laguna Beach, Calif.), the 2008 GNAC Rookie of the Year and Second-Team All-Conference selection, took Simmons by storm as a freshman. Flynn led the NCAA Division III service aces per set (1.30), was ranked second in the GNAC in hitting percentage (.321) and fifth in kills per game (3.07).

"This is by far the strongest team and the strongest schedule the volleyball program at Simmons College has ever seen," said Coach Conetta. "Not only is their physical ability top notch, their determination to bond on and off the court is incredible to watch from a coach's perspective."

The Sharks will open their season at home on Tuesday, September 1 at 7:00 PM when they host WPI.