PITTSBURGH, Pa. – La Roche volleyball is just 15 days away from the opening serve of the 2023 season and will look to deepen its postseason run this year with a quality core returning.

In 2022, the Redhawks ended the season 12-15 with a 3-4 mark in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference play, with the year ending in a 3-1 defeat to Mt. Aloysius in the AMCC Tournament First Round.

La Roche was dominant in their victories, with nine of the 12 wins coming by way of a 3-0 sweep.

The offense looks strong heading into the new campaign, as the Redhawks return four of their top five leaders in total kills from last season.

The only loss to the top five was last year's team leader in kills, Bethany Nulph, who had 251 over the 27 games.

Three returners to this year's team finished the season with 100+ kills, including Lauren Tomasko (167), Kallie Grine (118) and Third Team All-AMCC selection Quinn Hughes (115). Rory McCune rounded out that top five with 82 kills.

The defensive end takes a hit on the receiving end, with three of the top four team leaders in digs moving on, but half of the top six will be back on the floor, with 2022 leader and Second Team All-AMCC honoree Mackenzie Kerkan and her team best 332 digs making her way back for her senior season.

Madison Johnson was in the top six for digs last year with 185 and Tomasko also returns after compiling 127 digs in 2022.

At the net, blocking should be no issue for the Redhawks, as Hughes and her 96 total blocks, which fell sixth all-time in the single season record books is back, alongside two others who had 40+ total blocks.

Hughes enters the 2023 season with 159 career blocks in her two seasons, putting her just 29 shy of the top five all-time in program history.

La Roche begins its season on Friday, Sept. 1 when it travels to Lycoming University in Williamsport, Pa. for the Lycoming Tip-Off Classic.

The Redhawks meet Lycoming for an 8 p.m. opening serve and rounds out the trip on Saturday, Sept. 2 with a 10 a.m. match against Clarks Summit.