ESCANABA, MI – The Bay College Norse Volleyball Team is set to begin their second season as they take part in the Opening Weekend Tournament in Rockford, IL. Head Coach Dan Porath continues at the helm and looks to build on the 11-17 overall record from a year ago.
In a dramatic shift from last year's roster, the Norse will return nine players. With last year being the first year for the program, every player on that roster did not have prior experience in volleyball at the collegiate level. The 2023 season will be different as they now have plenty of experience and leadership to lean on throughout the campaign.
"There is a night and day difference from where we are now to where we were last year," said Porath. "Having a season under our belt helps us understand how to prepare. Everything was new last year, including Bay College Athletics joining the MCCAA. I feel like our returning players and myself know how hard we are going to have to push ourselves now."
Three-time MCCAA Northern Conference Defensive Player of the Week Tori Jandt (SO, Peshtigo, WI), who also received Honorable Mention All-Conference in the MCCAA, will continue as the libero for the Norse this season. Kylee Tadisch (SO, Coleman, WI) was named to the MCCAA All-Freshman Team and Second Team All- Conference last season and will look to be one of the leaders of the Bay College attack.
The Norse also returns their setter from a year ago, Amber Caylor (SO, Wausaukee, WI) who averaged 7.18 assists per set. She will be looking to set up fellow returners Leah Allan (SO, Oconto, WI), Allie Roman (SO, Gladstone, MI), Emma Rutter (SO, Chatham, MI), and Tianna Taylor (SO, Gwinn, MI).
Jandt will also have some familiar faces with her on the defensive side of the game as Graci Varoni (SO, Bark River, MI) and Abigail Rexford (SO, Escanaba, MI) will sport the blue and green for Bay again this season.
While there is a lot to like about what the Norse have brought back, there is an equal amount of excitement to be had with the pieces they have added for this season. Joining the team this year will be middle hitters Piper Monroe (FR, Menominee, MI) and Olyvia Saxton (FR, Ithaca, MI). Outside hitters Riley Moore (FR, Chatham, MI), who also doubles as a defensive specialist, and Creighton Smith (FR, Rapid River, MI) will also add to the attack. The Norse have added another setter to the mix with Madison Johnson (FR, Florence, WI) joining the fray.
Porath continued his thoughts about the program going forward. "Last year's group did a great job laying the foundation of what Bay College Volleyball will be. The returning players have helped to keep the foundation solid. The incoming players will add to the foundation. It's hard to determine how much better the other programs have gotten so the record may or may not show it but I know we will be a better team than last year."
Bay kicks off the season on Saturday with an appearance in the Opening Weekend Tournament they participated in last season. They will face Ellsworth Community College, McHenry County College, Elgin Community College, and Carl Sandburg College over the two-day event.
The first home matches for the Norse will be on August 26 as they host a quad. They start things off with a match against Gogebic Community College and Minnesota North-Hibbing on that Saturday, before turning around and facing those same two teams on Sunday, followed by a match with Alpena Community College.
Conference play begins with a road match at Alpena Community College on September 13. The first home matchup in conference will be on Saturday, September 16. MCCAA Conference play wraps up on October 17, while the Norse will take to the road one more time to finish their regular season schedule with a trip to Gogebic Community College on October 21.
Bay will hope to be taking part in some postseason play again this year as the MCCAA Tournament will be hosted by the Eastern Conference and is set to kick off on Saturday, October 28.
For a full schedule and continued updates throughout the season, go to the Norse Athletics website at www.baynorse.com and be sure to follow the Norse on Facebook and Twitter.