Volleyball 2023 Season Preview

The College of Southern Maryland women's volleyball fall 2023 season begins on Friday, Aug. 18, when the Hawks welcome Delaware Technical Community College to La Plata for a home match with first serve set for 6 p.m. 

CSM swept Delaware Tech 3-0 last year on August 30 before Delaware Tech went on to win their Region 19 Division II championship.

Three Hawks - Lillian Reynolds, Ellyssa Fultz, and Alyssa Powell - return from last year's squad that reached the Region 20 Division II Tournament semifinal and finished the year with a 13-7 overall record, their most wins in a season since 2017. Reynolds was named to the 2022 All-Region 20 Division II Second Team and All-Maryland JUCO Second Team, Fultz was named to the All-Region 20 Division II Second Team and an All-Maryland JUCO Honorable Mention, and Powell was named a Region 20 Division II Honorable Mention. Fultz also made the Region 20 Division II All-Tournament Team. 

"I am expecting big things from my three returners," CSM women's volleyball head coach Allorie Sanders said. "All three should make an All-Region team again. I believe I have an All-American in the bunch. They expressed to the freshmen what to expect for this season."

Part of the freshman class that will be trying to help propel the Hawks to their ultimate goal includes Maria Peña and Katy Swanson.

"Maria Peña is an all-around player," Sanders said. "She comes with great knowledge of the game and just loves to play. I believe she'll play a major role in our winning season. Katy Swanson is arguably one of the best 2023 defensive specialists from the tri-county area. She has so much grit and speed to match. I can't wait to watch her play."

"This year, CSM volleyball is continuing to build from all the hard work and dedication we put into last year," Sanders said. "The players are hungry and have set very high goals for themselves and the team. I am expecting to come out on top in Region 20. We were so close last year so I know we can pull it off this year."

CSM has one team on their 2023 schedule ranked in an NJCAA preseason poll. Montgomery College - ranked No. 20 in the NJCAA Division II preseason poll - comes to La Plata on August 29. Montgomery is the reigning Region 20 Division II champion.

Sanders is confident in her team's ability to compete for a Region 20 Division II championship this year. "As long as everyone does their job on the court, we will come out victorious."