The Wayne State College volleyball team opens the 2022 season Thursday and Friday playing four matches in New York.  The 'Cats, ranked 17th in the AVCA Division II Preseason Top 25 Coaches' Poll, battled Division I Kansas State, an NCAA Tournament team last season, to five sets in an exhibition match last Friday evening in Manhattan, Kansas before falling 25-17, 22-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12.  Junior outside hitter Kelsie Cada had 24 kills and 16 digs for WSC followed by sophomore Taya Beller with 18 kills and four blocks. 
            Wayne State plays two matches Thursday in Garden City, New York facing Adelphi and University of Bridgeport.  Last season, Adelphi was 17-11 and was picked to finish fifth in this year's Northeast 10 Preseason Coaches' Poll.  The University of Bridgeport is coming off an 18-10 campaign last season and was picked second in the North Division of the Preseason Central Athletic Collegiate Conference Coaches Poll.
            WSC then visits Rockville Centre, New York Friday where the Wildcats battle Nyack College and Molloy College of New York.  Nyack College is a member of the Central Athletic Collegiate Conference and was 2-21 last season while Molloy College was picked third in this year's East Coast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll after recording a 12-14 and 7-4 conference mark last season.