National Girls & Women In Sports Day Spotlight: Women's Volleyball

ST. LOUIS, Mo.— National Girls & Women in Sports Day started yesterday but over the next week we'll be highlighting the success over our women's sports teams and individuals over the past year. Next up, is the women's volleyball team.

It was quite the 2021 year for the Fontbonne University women's volleyball team with the Griffins finding plenty of success.

In the spring of 2021, the Griffins finished 8-8 overall and 7-6 in conference play making it the first time since 2005 Fontbonne had a .500 or better overall record. It also marked the first time since 2015 the Griffins were above the .500 mark in SLIAC action.

Highlighting the regular season last spring was the Griffins four set win over Webster. It was the first win over the Gorloks since 2016 and the first time since 2005 they've knocked off its rival on the road.

From there, the Griffins finished out the regular season and secured the No. 5 spot in the SLIAC Tournament. Fontbonne picked up its first tournament win since 2005 after defeating the Golden Eagles in four sets.

However, the Griffins then ran into top seed Greenville and the Panthers defeated the Griffins in straight sets.

At the conclusion of the season, head coach Ryan LeGrand was named Co-Coach of the Year to become the first Fontbonne coach since Kim Kutis in 2001 to win the award.

Hannah Gallagher was named to the First Team and became the third player in program history to win SLIAC Newcomer of the Year. She was joined on the First Team by Jadyn Fitzgerald.

Gallagher had an impressive debut season with Fontbonne totaling 189 kills, a .168 hitting percentage, and ranked second on the team with 172 digs. Fitzgerald, meanwhile, led the SLIAC with 214 kills and averaged 3.75 kills per set. Both Fitzgerald and Gallagher ranked in the top five nationally in kills.

In the fall of 2021, the Griffins swept the season series against Webster for the first time since 2005. In the SLIAC Tournament, the Griffins entered as the No. 4 seed and hosted No. 5 Webster. After falling to the Griffins twice, the Gorloks spoiled Fontbonne in straight sets for the win.

Fitzgerald was named to the SLIAC First Team for the second straight season after posting new career-highs in kills (282), digs (241), and blocks (28).

Kristen Kaempfe and Ella Werner-Click were named to the Second Team, while Emma Pramik collected Third Team honors.

Kaempfe had an impactful freshman campaign totaling 222 kills, a .111 hitting percentage, 159 digs, and 35 blocks. Ella Werner-Click had the offense flowing with her at the setter position having career-highs in kills (53), assists (831), service aces (28), digs (220), and blocks (18).

Pramik, meanwhile, paced the defense with her career-high 408 digs and led with 227 digs in conference play.

With the majority of the roster returning for 2022 and newcomers on the horizon the future is bright for Coach LeGrand and the women's volleyball team.

About Fontbonne University

Fontbonne University is a private, Catholic liberal arts university located in St. Louis, committed to a transformative education and inspiring students to become global citizens who think critically, act ethically and serve responsibly. The university, founded in 1923, is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. For more information, visit www.fontbonne.edu.