SHU athletes prepare for fall season

Redshirt junior Leah Bisignani hits the ball during a women’s volleyball game last season. Photo by D.Clark/Setonian.

With the fall semester in full swing, Seton Hill University athletes are busy preparing for their first competitions of the 2018-19 season.

Expectations are high for the women’s volleyball team this year, who were picked to finish first in the PSAC Southwest Division in the 2018 PSAC Preseason Volleyball Poll. The Griffins qualified for both the PSAC Tournament and NCAA Atlantic Regional last season. The team opened the season by going 2-2 in the Eckerd Tournament Aug. 24-25, and will be playing in the Malone Tournament Aug. 31-Sept. 1.

The women’s soccer team was selected to finish seventh out of 17 teams in the PSAC Preseason Women’s Soccer Poll. After finishing with a record of 12-6-1 and winning all 10 of their home games, the Griffins fell to Kutztown University in the PSAC Quarterfinals. They won their first game of the season on Aug. 30 against Mercyhurst University by a score of 1-0.

Men’s soccer was chosen to finish sixth out of 12 teams in the PSAC Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll. Last season, the Griffins qualified for the first round of the PSAC Tournament and fell to Millersville University, finishing the season with an overall record of 8-10-1. The Griffins opened their season on Aug. 30 against Wheeling Jesuit University, which ended in a scoreless tie.

The equestrian team won the regional championship in March, and finished fifth overall at the Zone 2 championships in April. Their first meet is Sept. 30 at the Slippery Rock University Meet, and their first and only home meet is Oct. 7 at the Bloomfield Stables.

Senior Emily LoPresti prepares to kick the ball during a women’s soccer game last season. Photo by D.Clark/Setonian.

After not winning a game in the 2017 season (0-11), the men’s football team is looking for more success this fall. SHU was picked to finish eighth in the PSAC West Preseason Coaches Poll. The Griffins begin their season on Sept. 1 at Virginia Union University at 1 p.m.

In the PSAC Cross Country Preseason Poll, the men’s cross country team was selected to finish 11th out of 15 teams and the women were selected to finish ninth out of 17 teams. Last season, the women finished 10th at the PSAC Championships while the men finished 11th. Both teams open their season Sept. 8 at the Doug Watts Duals in Edinboro, Pa.

After finishing the 2017 season with a record of 4-14, the field hockey team was selected to finish last (11th) in the PSAC Preseason Field Hockey Poll. Last season’s four wins were the most the team has accumulated in a single season since 2013. The team’s first game is Sept. 1 at Merrimack College at 1 p.m.

The women’s golf team continues to grow with nine women on the roster this season. Last fall, the team finished sixth at the PSAC Championships. Their first match is Sept. 3-4 at the Glade Springs Intercollegiate Tournament.

After finishing last season with a record of 7-9, the women’s tennis team is ready to compete with eight women on the roster. Their first match is Sept. 1 at Saint Vincent College at 9 a.m., with their first PSAC matchup on Oct. 5 against Bloomsburg University.

Published By: Paige Parise

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