The Haverford College women's volleyball team enters the 2011 campaign with high expectations under first year head coach Michele Benoit.

"Our goal is to win the Centennial Conference and continue the successful tradition of the program," said Benoit. 

The Fords will have experience on their side with six players, including three seniors, returning from last year's 18-13 team that reached the semifinals of the conference tournament.  This year's squad will be hungry to reclaim its spot on top of the Centennial mountain after having its string of four consecutive conference championships snapped.

Junior Olivia Coburn-Flynn, who ranked second in the conference in blocks per set (0.96), returns to hold down the middle of Haverford's front line. Coming off strong junior seasons, outside hitter Laura Ramos and defensive specialist Caitlyn Tranquillo will have expanded roles in their senior years. Ramos, expected to be the primary target of sophomore setter Haley Lowrance,  was second the team with 288 kills. A solid defensive player, Tranquillo was the Fords' leader in digs (477) and service aces (51).

Haverford, picked to finish fourth in the Centennial Conference preseason coaches poll, will face numerous tests during the season with six 2010 NCAA tournament teams, including the defending Centennial champion Franklin & Marshall, on the slate. In the opening month of the season, the Fords will face the Coast Guard Academy (NCAA second round), California Lutheran University (second round), Stevens Institute of Technology (third round) and Juniata College (semifinal round). In October, Haverford takes on Eastern University (second round) and Cabrini College (first round). Three of Haverford's opponents begin the year ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association's preseason poll: Juniata (sixth), Eastern (seventh) and Cal Lutheran (eighth).