Two Join 2014 Manhattan Volleyball Roster

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Manhattan College volleyball team has added two players for the 2014 season, Head Coach Mark Jones announced today.  Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) comes to Riverdale after two seasons at Bryant University, while Amanda Critelli (Millbrook, N.Y.) will join the Jaspers as a freshman in the fall.

“We are very excited about Claire and Amanda joining our Jasper family,” Jones said.  “I expect them both to make an immediate impact during the upcoming season.”

A 5-foot-11 outside hitter, Van Dyk started 65 of 66 matches for Bryant over the past two seasons.  In 2013, she led the team with 346 kills and 3.04 kills per set while ranking second on the squad in digs (278) and digs per set (2.44).  Van Dyk also led the Bulldogs in kills (310), kills per set (2.61) and service aces (42) during the 2012 campaign.  In addition, she was named to the Northeast Conference (NEC) Academic Honor Roll last season.  Van Dyk has two years of eligibility remaining.

“Claire is a very good all-around player and was one of the top hitters in the NEC last season,” Jones said.  “With her maturity and experience, she will provide some much-needed help on the outside.  She is also an excellent student.”

Critelli, a 5-foot-4 libero, was a First Team Class C All-State selection last season at MillbrookHigh School.  She set a school record with 461 digs in 2013, as the Blazers advanced to the state championships for the second straight year.  In 2012, Millbrook went undefeated in the regular season and won the sectional championship.  Critelli is the first Division I volleyball player in Millbrook's history.

“Amanda has a great attitude and works very hard on the court,” Jones said.  “She plays for a good program and will be a good fit for our program.  She will compete for a role as a defensive specialist.”