Brown Volleyball Opens 2009 Season at Providence

The Brown University women’s volleyball team will kick off the 2009 season on Wednesday, September 9, at Providence College at 7:30 p.m.  The Bears will follow that with their first home match of the season on Thursday, when they host Bryant at 7:00 p.m., and will then play three games over the weekend when they compete at the URI Invitational.

Brown’s coaching staff is optimistic heading into the season, as the team lost just two seniors from last year’s squad, which finished at 12-14 overall.  Among the returning players, junior co-captain Danielle Vaughan (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) is poised to have a terrific 2009 season.  Vaughan finished last year with the second-highest attack percentage on the team, at .241, and led the team in blocks by a wide margin, finishing with 50 total stops.

Classmate Brianna Williamson (Cincinnati, OH) is another exceptionally well-rounded player, and should be a key contributor for Bruno this year.  In 2008, Williamson had the most total sets played, with 91, and was third on the team in kills with 2.37 per game, good for 216 overall.  She was also second on the squad in aces, with 18, fourth in digs at 193, and second in total blocks with 38.  Sophomore Spencer McAndrews (Los Angeles, CA) will be looking to be the setter on the front line, replacing the graduated Natalie Meyers.  Last season, McAndrews played in 33 games, and picked up 64 assists in relief of Meyers.

With a number of other experienced upperclassmen joining the promising incoming recruiting class, the 2009 season should be a good one for the Bears.  Fans can follow Brown volleyball in more ways than ever this year, as all home games will have free live stats, as well as live video streaming available for $7 per contest.