MILWAUKEE -- The Mount Mary University volleyball team is ready for the 2017 season. Following another campaign of building in 2016, this season's team brings a lot of fresh faces along with the experience from last year's squad. A team that made progress as a program and worked from a rough stretch to a couple record setting performances.

Finishing the season at 5-17 in 2016, the Blue Angels strived to up their play while battling through the most trying of times. MMU got an early season victory against the Rockford Regents (1-26) which Mount Mary Head Volleyball Coach Kelsey Peterson said, "…was the first sign [for her] that said, 'we're here to compete.'"

The Blue Angels nabbed a 3-0 sweep over the Regents to defeat RU for the first time since MMU joined the NCAA ranks. Then-sophomore Lauren Harris (Sheridan, Ill.) took charge of the Blue Angel offense in the contest and blasted eight kills in 32 total attacks.

MMU hit a mid-season lull, but bounced back in the Finlandia Tournament on day two. That is when the Blue Angels struck for 19 service aces in match one against Silver Lake (7-23) to corral MMU's third win of the season. Then The Blue Angels turned around the very next match and set multiple school records against Great Lakes Christian.

An incredible feat, the Blue Angels set the school record for the biggest win margin (+60) while also setting records for team aces (31) and individual aces in a match (Payton Hintz, 9) against GLC.

In a season that saw multiple bright spots, the Blue Angels will return two of their most potent offensive players in Lauren Harris and Marissa Tun (Sr./Greenfield, Wis.). Tun comes back to the Blue Angels after leading her team in digs, digs per set, assists and assists per set.

The MMU outside hitters Rachel Barker (Sr./Milwaukee, Wis.) and Melanie Coffey (So./Cedarburg, Wis.) return for the Blue Angels to sure up the attack. Sarah Amoroso (Sr./Wauwatosa, Wis.) and Adrianna Nester (Anaheim, Calif.) also come back this season to solidify the front line. Payton Hintz (Sr./Almond, Wis.) brings back her deadly serves and setups for the 2017 season as well.

The Blue Angels start the regular season action Fri. Sept. 1 at Reiman Gymnasium. Alverno will host MMU for game one at 5:00 pm and then the Blue Angels will conclude the night with a match against Beloit College at 6:30 pm. Both games will have live stats and video courtesy of Alverno College Athletics. Live links can be found at mtmaryathletics.com.

Returners

12           Rachel Barker                    OH          Sr.           5-11       Milwaukee, Wis. / Homeschooled

14           Melanie Coffey                 OH          So.          5-9          Cedarburg, Wis. / Dominican

20           Marissa Tun                        L              Jr.           5-1          Greenfield, Wis. / Greenfield

21           Sarah Amoroso                 MB         Sr.           5-9          Wauwatosa, Wis. / Wauwatosa West

22           Adrianna Nester               MB         So.          5-7          Anaheim, Calif. / Western

24           Payton Hintz                       S/RS       Sr.           5-8          Almond, Wis. / Pacelli

25           Lauren Harris                      OH          Jr.           5-9          Sheridan, Ill. / Serena HS

Newcomers

10           Johnelle Suto                     S              Fr.           5-7          Enterprise, Ore. / Joseph Charter

11           Amelia Flint                        RS           Sr.           5-7          Whitefish Bay, Wis. / Whitefish Bay

16           Michaela Buchholz          DS/L       So.          5-5          Germantown, Wis. / Germantown