WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - After a challenging 2024 season, the Hartford women's volleyball team returns to the 2025 season determined to compete in the post-season tournament.
In 2024, the Hartford women's volleyball program finished 9-13 overall and 3-6 in the Conference of New England (CNE) competition. The Hawks faced some challenging competition this season but were able to defeat teams when needed. The Hawks were unable to clinch a postseason spot due to facing some difficult teams including the University of New England, Western New England University, and Wentworth Institute of Technology. The season concluded with a tough three-match losing streak.
A NEW LOOK
Hartford will look notably different in 2025 as some players move on and new leaders emerge. The women's volleyball team will be returning with a mix of familiar and new faces for this 2025 season. This year's squad includes two seniors Juliana Robinshaw (South Windsor, Conn.) and Kylee Connally (Dallas, Texas). These two were a major threat for the Hawks as Robinshaw was key on both offense and defense. Robinshaw claimed 74 kills, 57 digs, and 28 blocks at net. Connally protected the court and will be a key orchestrater for the Hawks offense this year. Connally appeared in 69 seats averaging 4.1 assists and 1.3 digs per match, totaling 280 assists on the season.
"Although we had a building season last year we really used the spring to work hard," said Robinshaw. "We have been looking really good in preseason and we are hoping to stack some wins together this season."
"Its definitely a lot harder being a senior but locking in and staying engaged knowing its my last preseason is something that is really sentimental to me," said Connally. "Knowing I won't be able to go through another preseason again helps me leave it all out on the court and do everything I can to be successful this season."
Junior Kalle Legassey (Prospect, Conn.) steps into a key leadership role for the Hawks as a named captain along with Connally and Robinshaw. This speaks to Legassey's contributions in the 2024 season. She played in 21 matches tallying 22 assists, 30 service aces, and 125 digs. This season she looks to use her leadership to bring the team to success.
"For our team we are doing a lot of team and culture building, which is a really important aspect we are bringing that we have not in years past," said Legassey. "Already the first few days of the preseason our team has really gelled, and we have looked really strong."
BUILDING THE ROTATION
The Hawks will be bringing in five newcomers to the team.
Outside Hitters (1): Lauren Johnson (Fort Collins, Colo.)
Libero/Defensive Specialists (1): Lucy Dieterlen (Dallas, Texas)
Opposite Hitters (1): Camille Earl (Houston, Texas)
Middle Blockers (1): Grace O'Brien (Avon, Conn.)
Setters (1): Mattea Cosby (Enfield, Conn.)
SEASON OUTLOOK
The Hawks have 23 regular season games set for 2025, with 13 of those taking place at home in the Chase Arena earlier in the season and the volleyball gym for the remainder. Hartford kicks off their season at home to take on Salve Regina on Saturday, August 30th at 1:00 p.m. The Hawks next three games are on their home court before they get ready for their first tri-match of the season September 13th.
The Conference of New England play starts on September 24th when the Hawks will travel to Dudley, Mass. to face off against Nichols College at 7:00 p.m. Other key conference games include September 30th at home to take on Johnson & Wales University; Hartford has yet to play this competitor as they were just added to the CNE this year. And on November 1st the team played against Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston which was a highly contested game for the Hawks.
All home games will be live streamed on the CNE network powered by HUDL, while other game coverage can be found on the scheduled home page.
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