CANTON – The SUNY Canton women's volleyball team is poised for what could be its best season in the program's four year history as the Roos enter the 2014 season hungry for a United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Championship.

Head Coach Carol LaMarche in her fourth season at the helm returns her most experienced unit as the Roos bring back 10 players to the roster and add two freshman who will look to make an immediate impact.

Senior captain Mackenzie Mynter will look to lead the Roos in 2014.

She has earned USCAA First Team All-American honors the last two years.

SUNY Canton will face its toughest schedule in the program's short four-year history in 2014 headlined by a home date with Clarkson University on September 10. The Golden Knights are ranked 20th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III poll coming off a 36-7 season that saw them reach the NCAA Quarterfinals for the second straight season.

The Roos will open their 2014 slate hosting the SUNY Canton Invitational on Friday and Saturday at the Roos House. The hosts will face stiff competition in their three matches taking on SUNY Potsdam and Houghton on Friday, followed by a late-morning match-up Saturday vs. SUNY Institute of Technology.

In its second weekend of competition the Roos will square off against New York University, who received votes in the AVCA Top 25, and Roger Williams University, who tops the Division III New England regional rankings. That weekend leads the Roos into a mid-week battle at home against Clarkson. The Roos will face a number of other high quality opponents including Geneseo, Oswego, Plattsburgh and Potsdam from the SUNYAC, as well as Hartwick, Utica, St. Lawrence, Rochester Institute of Technology and Medaille.

SUNY Canton will host a total of 12 matches over four home tournaments including five straight games from September 27 to October 12. The Roos will once again host the 2014 USCAA Women's Volleyball Championships on its campus from October 30 through November 1.

Coach LaMarche is pleased to bring back four seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and welcome two freshman to the roster in 2014.

Below is a breakdown from each class of what she is expecting each player to contribute to the team.

Seniors

Captain Mackenzie Mynter – "I am looking for her to finish her career at the top of her game. She has once again been named a team Captain and is ready to leave everything on the floor during her final year as a Roo."

Captain Caitlin Grimshaw – "Caitlin has come in with determination this year. She worked hard over the summer, has come in in great shape and is raring to go."

Emily Thomas – "In her second year as a Roo, Emily is looking to increase her role on the court and finish her career with a National title."

Reynolds – "Jessica has come in with a great spirit this fall. She is determined to make her senior year her best."

Juniors

Captain Rachel Lowther – "Rachel brings a great attitude to the court. She is looking to increase her playing time this fall and help lead the team to a National title."

Morgan Bills – "Morgan has been a great middle for the past two seasons and I don't expect this year to be any different. She is looking forward to getting the season underway."

Kiana Archer – "It is clear to me that Kiana has worked hard over the summer both in the gym and on the sand playing beach volleyball. I am excited to see how Kiana's role will grow over this season."

Robyn Carroll – "Robyn brings a lot of experience to our back row as she has been our libero for the past two seasons. She has come into this season in great shape and is ready to get out and help lead the team from the back row."

Sophomores

Kelsy Cornish – "Kelsy is one of our returning outside hitters. She had a standout freshman year and I am looking forward to watching her grow even more this season as a sophomore."

Morgan Wicks – "Morgan has the athletic ability to play a few different positions for the team. She is a great utility player and I expect her to increase her on court time this season."

Freshmen

Kristyn Sengillo – "Kristyn comes to SUNY Canton from a great club program. With her experience from club, I am expecting great things from her."

Jenea Shoemaker – "Jenea comes from the same high school as Morgan Bills. I am expecting great things from her and am pleased with her performance thus far in preseason."

With more than 80 percent of the squad returning from a team that won 28 matches a season ago, combined with two key additions, the Roos have their sights set on a national championship in 2014.

"This year's team sees a plethora of experience returning," LaMarche noted. "We have four seniors who saw significant time on the court last year. I expect them to help lead the team to rise to the occasion during this season while we play our toughest schedule in program's history."