DEARBORN, Mich. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn volleyball team is set to open its 2021 campaign as it takes on the Calumet College Crimson Wave, the Spring Arbor University Cougars, and the Roosevelt Lakers at the Julie Martin Memorial Classic at the Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena in Livonia, MI. The first two games will take place Friday at 4pm and 6pm and the last game with take place Saturday morning at 10am.
"We are looking forward to competing against some of the top teams, in conference and out of conference, in the country," head coach Eric Stark said, as he begins his seventh season with the Wolverines. "This is the strongest we've been in the front court and are excited to see how it will translate to live games."
Stark went on to mention that he is also looking forward to the improvements made by players from the 2019 class, as well as the opportunities that will be presented to the 2020 class.
Key returning players for UM-Dearborn this season are seniors Gina and Sabrina Giacomini and juniors Regan Sliwinski, Delaney Smith, Olivia Pellegrini and Amanda Wilyard.
New faces such as Emily Buck, Kielee Tondryk, Kenzie Mertz, Alana Palencar, Brooke Wetherill, Kayla Podlewski, Madison Gregoire, Allie Federlein, and Regan Rose fill out the rest of the roster and will look to contribute in their first full season with the Wolverines.
Following the Julie Martin Memorial Classic, the Wolverines open Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play on the road against Lawrence Tech on Sept. 6. The first WHAC home game will take place against Madonna University on Sept. 8.
The Wolverines will travel to La Crosse, WI to take on the likes of Carrol, Dordt, and William Penn. UM-Dearborn will also head out to Winona Lake, IN to take on Bethel, St. Xavier, and Lincoln College. The Wolverines close out their season with the two final games at home against Aquinas College and Lawrence Tech University on Nov. 3 and Nov. 6, respectively. UM-Dearborn will host 10 games at the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse this season.
