Mandolfo led the Bluejays in digs in 2011
Creighton volleyball came up just short this season in returning to the NCAA Tournament. A solid returning core will try and take the team there again in 2012. But Julianne Mandolfo, the MVC Libero of the Year, won’t be among them.
Sources have confirmed for White & Blue Review that Mandolfo is leaving the Bluejay program and will look to transfer at the end of the semester. She is also no longer listed on the Creighton volleyball roster.
Mandolfo was one of the top liberos in the nation this season. She led the Bluejays in digs and broke the school record for digs in a season. She also ranked fifth nationally in digs per set. She owned 20 or more digs in 21 of Creighton’s 30 matches this season, including seven matches with 30 or more, and had a career-high 36 at Illinois State.
Creighton will return all-conference setter Megan Bober as well as veterans Brooke Boggs and Heather Thorson. The Bluejays will try to fill the libero vacancy with Boggs and Brittany Moon, although they may have an additional option. Creighton did not announce this signing, meaning she may be coming in originally as a walk-on, but this could open up a scholarship for incoming freshman Kate Elman, an all-metro player from Omaha Marian. Elman had 554 digs this season as a senior. She averaged 4.61 per set and also had 45 aces and 100 assists.
Outside Hitter Lexi Malm and Setter/DS Brianne Fliss are also not listed on the current roster. Both saw limited action on the court in their two seasons in the program.