JBU volleyball aims to win SAC championship

By By Simeon Hinsey JBU Sports Information

Posted: July 29, 2009 at 10:27 a.m.

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After a very successful 21-11 2008 campaign, which included going 10-4 in the Sooner Athletic Conference and a perfect 9-0 record at home, the John Brown University volleyball team hopes to build on last season's success and move deeper into the postseason.

With 10 of 14 players returning, nine of which saw substantial court time in 2008, head coach Robyn Daugherty is optimistic about what her team should be able to accomplish this season.

"The three seniors that we lost had instrumental roles, but all the returning players also saw significant playing time," said Daugherty. "The experience is still there, but I'm cautiously optimistic because chemistry has so much to do with it. But we definitely feel like we can compete for a regular season title and a conference tournament championship."

With a well-balanced schedule, the Golden Eagles will jump right into the thick of things when they open the season against College of the Ozarks (Mo.) on Sept. 1.

A quick turnaround will have the team headed to Branson, Mo., to compete in the Ozarks Tournament on Sept. 4-5. Within the following two weeks, the Golden Eagles will travel back to Missouri to compete in the Evangel University Tournament on Sept. 11-12 and the Texas Wesleyan Tournament on Sept. 18-19 before opening up conference play against St. Gregory's (Okla.) on Sept. 22.

"When we hit the Sooner Athletic Conference it's going to be a really tough, competitive year," said Daugherty. "So, we really tried to get into some tougher tournaments,and hopefully, playing a tough non-conference, will get us ready."

Leading the pack of returning players will be first-team all-conference honorees - 6-foot-1 senior middle hitter Christi Newton (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and 6-foot-1 junior middle hitter Amber Wilson (Diamond Bar, Calif.).

Last season, Wilson led the Golden Eagles with 2.6 kills per game, while Newton led in the blocks column with 1.4 per game.

Kirsten Lee, a 5-foot-9 junior outside hitter from Springdale, and 5-foot-1 senior libero Shannon Proctor (Upland, Calif.) also earned second-team all-conference honors in 2008.

Both players are returning and look to add experience and leadership to the squad, but overall, look for this year's squad to have depth at every position.

"The thing this year's class does is bring competition to every position we have on the court," Daugherty said. "We had competition last year, but there were certain positions where they knew no one was pushing them. Now we are three or four deep in every position which is going to make us a better team." Newcomers

Four new players will join the volleyball team this fall.

Erin Didier, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter from Littleton, Colo., signed early in the year and will add athleticism to the outside.

Incoming transfer, 5-foot-5 sophomore Megan Tabor of Hemet, Calif., will help fill the gap in the back row and should provide solid defense.

Vying for time at the setter position will be 5-foot-7 freshman Aubrey Adams of Wheaton, Ill., and 6-foot sophomore transfer Allie Rankin of Richardson, Texas, who spent her freshman year at Arkansas Tech University.

Setters

Britney Kerns, a 5-foot-8 senior from Siloam Springs, and Alyssa Hanson, a 5-foot-7 junior from Tulsa, Okla., will continue to share setter duties throughout the year.

Daugherty said to also look for Adams to push for time at this position.

Middle Hitter

Newton and Wilson will continue to rule the middle, but Daugherty expects Rankin to move right into the mix.

"Allie is going to be a good one," Daugherty said. "I think people are going to really get excited to see her at the net." Outside Hitter

Lee comes back after a stellar sophomore year where she was third on the team in kills with 2.3 kill per game.

Also look for 6-foot sophomore Kassie Keefer of Webb City, Mo., to see more action, as well as incoming freshman Didier. Right-Side Hitter

Suzie Schult, a 5-foot-10 senior from Fort Collins, Colo., and 6-foot sophomore Tara Fredeen from Bentonville will vie for time at this position.

Schult is a solid player who saw action in every match as a junior, and Fredeen will look to see added minutes with a year of experience under her belt, Daugherty said.

Defensive Specialist/Libero

Proctor will continue her libero duties this year.

In 2008, Proctor led the team with 5.1 digs per game.

Also, vying for time will be 5-foot-5 sophomore Sarah Jordan of Siloam Springs and Tabor.

Sports, Pages 15 on 07/29/2009

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