Bradford, PA – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women’s volleyball team is ready to begin their 2025 campaign under the leadership of new head coach Kelly Unverdorben.

Unverdorben joined Pitt-Bradford with championship pedigree, winning 9 New York State Championships at Portville High School (8) and Ellicottville High School (1). She will lead a Panther team that went 5-20 last season, with a 2-6 mark in AMCC play.

“Stepping into the new role of head coach, you never know how the team may respond to your coaching style,” said Unverdorben. “I’m happy to say that our group has worked very hard to be the best they can be and have responded well to everything we have thrown at them during the preseason.”

The Panthers will be led by an experienced group of hitters, led by returning All-AMCC honorees Jenna Louser and Alycia Wilson. Louser was a 3^rd Team All-AMCC honoree last season, recording 170 kills with a .190 hitting percentage. Wilson was a 2^nd Team All-AMCC performer in 2023 while at Wells, and then, in a new environment last season, led the Panthers with 200 kills. Ruby Smith has also had a strong preseason, as she looks to log her 4^th straight season with over 100 kills.

Pitt-Bradford will also look to a few newcomers to find success this season. Lillian Bentley joins the team from Houghton, where she earned 1^st Team All-Empire 8 honors after leading the Highlanders with 243 kills and a .307 hitting percentage. Bentley, who played for Coach Unverdorben at Portville, will also combine with her former teammate Brooke DeYoe to repeat the success they had at Portville.

“We have a lot of talent,” added Unverdorben. “We just need to continue to bring it out of the players, find the right pieces to the puzzle, and put it all into place.”

The Panthers were predicted to finish 8^th in the AMCC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

Pitt-Bradford begins its campaign on Friday, August 29^th, when they head to Keuka for a two-day event that will see the Panthers take on MCLA, SUNY Canton, Hilbert and the hosts. They will play their first home game of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 9^th, in KOA Arena. AMCC play begins on October 11^th.