Volleyball Season Preview

By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The 2024 season was a special one for the Bridgewater State University volleyball team.

For the first time since 2008, the Bears advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament after rallying for the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament championship.

BSU went 13-10 for the first winning record since 2010 and recorded double-digit victories for the first time in nine years.

The Bears were 6-1 in the MASCAC to finish behind only Westfield State University, then came back from a 2-0 deficit to stun the Owls, 3-2, in the conference final.

Now, BSU is looking to keep that success rolling in 2025 with some key returning players leading the way.

The Bears get the season going Tuesday at 6 p.m. when they go against Keene State College in New Hampshire. BSU is picked second in the MASCAC preseason coaches poll, receiving four first-place votes.

"There's a good feeling in the gym," said Bears coach Tony daSilveira, now in his seventh season. "The players are very comfortable with each other. The team gets along great. They communicate well.

"The energy is high in the gym. It feels good. They want to win again. There's that, 'Let's push each other' feeling. They really want to play at their best.

"But there's also a reminder there that we haven't won anything yet this year."

BSU began the '24 season by going 1-6, then won 12 of the final 16 games, ending with a 3-0 loss at third-ranked Johns Hopkins in the NCAA tourney in Baltimore.

The Bears lost a pair of seniors in setter Bethany Votta, who became the ninth player in program history to record 1,000 assists and finished with 1,126, and middle hitter Abigail Reardon. Also not returning was libero Lilly Misay.

But BSU has seven players back who played key roles on the way to the NCAA appearance.

Junior hitter Lily Welch (Hanson, Mass.) was the lone BSU player to make the All-MASCAC team, earning first-team honors.

Welch, this year's captain, led the Bears with 204 kills and was second with 51 blocks.

"She had a great year," said daSilveira. "Her court awareness is good. She's a hard hitter. She's better at placing the ball exactly where she wants. She did very well last year and her numbers will go up."

Sophomore middle hitter Charlotte Sullivan (Hyannis, Mass.) made an immediate impact in '24 with a team-best 63 blocks.

"I knew she was going to be good for us," said daSilveira. "She comes from a great program at Barnstable High School. She came in locked in, focused. She takes care of herself. I knew she would be dedicated. She did very well."

Senior outside hitter Kim Gowell (Durham, N.H.) returns for her final season after placing second on the team with 173 kills.

"Her hitting is still strong," said daSilveira. "She's still very confident. She brings that, 'I've been here before' attitude for us."

Junior Xin Ai Robinson (Kaiserlautern, Germany) was second to Votta in assists with 263 and junior Ava Crane (Dartmouth, Mass.) led the team with 308 digs and 54 service aces.

Also back are senior outside hitters Meaghan Coutu (Brookline, N.H.) and Alexis Starks (Milford, Mass.).

BSU has three seniors, four juniors, six sophomores and four freshmen on the roster.

The Bears, whose home opener is Sept. 9 against Curry College, is looking to avoid a slow start like they had a year ago. Getting wins right away would help BSU improve on its 13-10 record.

"I think we can be  better," said daSilveira. "I say that because last year we were trying new things out and learning. We lost early.

"We have that mindset already this year of knowing what helped us on the winning streak. There is still room for growth numbers-wise and what we're trying to achieve."

After having such a special season in '24, an experienced BSU is bidding for more winning this fall.

"We just want to continue that," said daSilveira. "We're in a good place. We do have a very good group. I don't have to sit there with a piece of paper saying, 'Here are the rules.' We're ready."