It's a new era for the University of Hartford volleyball program, and the Hawks are ready to fly to new heights.

Head coach Vinh Nguyen returns five players from last season and will lean on a collection of newcomers, including a pair of transfers, to push Hartford through the Commonwealth Coast Conference.



"We are excited to be welcoming nine new players in 2023," said Nguyen. "We have a great core returning from 2022 and add depth, ball control, and fire power with our new members. We will be well positioned as we transition into the Commonwealth Coast Conference with regional competition vs. Wesleyan, Trinity, Amherst and Western Connecticut. Our team will return to campus soon and can't wait to get after it."

Hartford returns two of the top three offensive weapons from a season ago in Uzezi Ijoma and Isabella Labrada. The duo combined for 285 kills with Ijoma as the top returning player with 183 kills.

Senior Kionah Thomas, sophomore transfer Sydney Ball, freshman Maya Kozlowski, and freshmanKalle Legassey will compete for time as pin hitters in 2023.

After splitting time in a 6-2 offense, sophomore Kylee Connally returns to run the Hartford offense. She finished with 271 assists in 2022. Freshmen setters Liahnna Orange and Caitie English will battle for the second spot.

Ijoma and Labrada were also forces at the net defensively with 30 and 23 blocks, respectively. Transfer Hannah Pena and Jenna Murphy will add some defensive prowess at the net.

Sophomore Juliana Robinshaw returns in 2023 with 125 dig attempts in 66 sets in 2022. Freshmen Kaia Karcich and Emilie Hatje, will look to add additional ball control and defense to Hawks lineup for 2023.

The Hawks begin their season with a tri-match at Western Connecticut State. United States Merchant Marine Academy will also be participating in the tri-match.