Okay maybe this time, it really will be “third time’s the charm.”
Quinnipiac volleyball got very close to the MAAC title in the last two years, but was ultimately — in a very deja-vu-like manner — shut down by the reigning Fairfield Stags.
And as usual at this point, the Bobcats earned the No. 2 spot in the pre-season ranking, right behind the reigning Stags.
But as before, the Bobcats are not held down by the past, rather they’re excited for the future.
“You know when you do something for the first time, you don’t really know if you are doing it right or wrong, what’s gonna happen next,” said graduate student opposite Elena Giacomini. “That hesitation… you really get a fresh start. The team is like almost half new too.”
Probably the biggest news of the pre-season is the hopeful return of senior outside hitter Ginevra Giovagnoni, who was out all of last season after suffering a knee injury in a pre-season game, and yet still earned a spot on the pre-season All-MAAC team.
However, her return still isn’t 100% confirmed, as her photo on the website still remains unchanged from last year’s roster.
“I’m really excited for her to play,” Giacomini said. “She’s starting to practice again, a little drills and stuff, but I’m confident that with time she’s gonna get back on court. I didn’t get to play with her but my teammates did and they know how important she is for us. We’re just waiting for her moment to come.”
Alongside her the team is boasting five new faces — all of which hail from Europe.
“I think it’s the hardest part, cause we have so much talent on our team,” Giacomini said. “The girls are so young, talented and very determined. The talent and skill part are definitely not the problem. But managing to get to do that will definitely be the hardest part. I think we’re doing a great job at communication. It’s something that has to be built person-to-person.”
These faces include outside hitter Vittoria Tonelli and middle blocker Asia Belli from Italy, setter Klara Olszewska from Poland and — another, though this time identical — pair of twin Turkish players, opposite Azra Ozbiltekin and outside hitter Sahra Ozbiltekin.
And it seems like they are more than ready to make their mark. During the team’s opening weekend at the Bradley Invitational — where the Bobcats managed to claw out a win against Western Illinois — all of them, except Azra, had their chance to play; even if Olszewska only got to make one assist across the three games.
But it will be very difficult for the young setter to see any sort of play time with senior setter Damla Gunes back for her final year.
The 2024 MAAC Setter of the Year and pre-season All-MAAC team passed 3,000 assists over this weekend and has been the starting setter since her first year. It is safe to assume she will fight to keep that spot for her final year in Hamden.
Speaking of players to watch, Giacomini has been named the Pre-season Player of the Year, only the second Bobcat to ever earn that honor, right behind Giovagnoni.
“I am always very honored for all of this, because it’s really a lot,” Giacomini said. “I didn’t expect it when I arrived. I feel like it’s more about my responsibility towards my team, to try every day to inspire them. I don’t think this is something that is so far from any of them. It’s a product of our work, I don’t think I could’ve done it with other people.”
The Italian native was the secret weapon in the Bobcats’ arsenal last year, with 429 kills and 30 service aces, earning her the title of MAAC Player of the Year.
“I’m really glad to be back,” Giacomini said. “The first year, everything was so hectic. Now I know what to expect and I think I’m gonna be able to enjoy it more. I found friends here and I wanted another chance with the people I love spending time with.”
All in all, the Bobcats are in great shape. Senior outside hitter Yagmur Gunes had a great season and fell one kill short of 400 kills. Junior outside hitter Leilani-kai Giusta also racked up over 300 kills last season, but has yet to make an appearance this season. Senior middle blocker Milena Silva is also set to surely see more playing time on the team, since senior Tuana Turhan has not seen a lot of game action in recent years yet.
Last year’s additions to the team are also expected to step up. With libero Fa’ave Kimsel Moe ‘25 now gone, sophomore Carola Negron Diaz will most likely fill her shoes as the starting libero with sophomore Yasmina Baum as her back-up.
Before the Bobcats return to their den and face the well-known opponents, their pre-season schedule includes a lot of travel — from the Bradley Invitational this past weekend, through Townson-Morgan State Invitational and College of Charleston Invitational to Cherry and White Invitational.
“It’s gonna be tough travelling that far that much,” Giacomini said. “But we have a chance to make it important, make it time that has value in it. I’m sure it’s the right way to go into season. It’s like doing the tough things first so the things after that look easy.”
So once again, on paper, Quinnipiac is in great shape to take on its MAAC opponents, but the fate of that wished-for MAAC title is only in their hands and not in the stars.
The Bobcats are set to travel on Sept. 5 to Baltimore, Maryland to face Morgan State, Towson and Stonehill. Their season opener is set for Sept. 26 against Sacred Heart at their turf, before coming back to Burt Khan on Oct. 3 to face Caniscius.
