University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Volleyball Has Sneak Preview For The Public
8/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 19, 2010
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Golden Eagle volleyball fans can get a sneak preview of the 2010 volleyball team on Saturday, Aug. 21, when the team hosts a Black and Gold scrimmage at 2 p.m., in Reed Green Coliseum. Admission is free to the public.
First-year coach Abbey Sutherland returns 10 letterwinners, including five starters from last year's team that captured the program's first regular season conference title with a 27-5 record overall.
"Last year was bittersweet because we were conference champions, but we didn't get into the NCAA Tournament," Sutherland said. "That didn't sit well with our players and now I believe they are hungry and ready to get to that next level. They worked really hard during the offseason."
The Golden Eagles return 10 letterwinners including five starters. Heading the list are juniors Ashley Mell (6-3, OH, Yorba Linda, Calif.), Kelsea Seymour (5-8, S, Long Beach, Calif.), Sarah Jane (SJ) Bowden (6-1, MB, Sioux City, Iowa), Lauren Sears (6-2, MB, Ashburn, Va.), Lisa Knecht (5-5, L, Metairie, La.), Amelia Hendrickson (6-0, MB, Belle Chasse, La.) and Bridget Whalen (5-5, S, Littleton, Colo.), to go with senior Lauren Broom (6-0, MB, Mandeville, La.) and sophomores Halie Ecker (5-10, OH, Moline, Ill.), and Elizabeth Rinaudo (5-8, UTL, Mandeville, La.). Sutherland added one newcomer, Shelby Schacher (5-10, OH, Lone Tree, Colo.).
Even with the loss of Angela Hlavaty, Maia Ivanova, Caitlin Clarke and Brianna Arvin, the squad retains over 65 percent of its offensive power, 60 percent of its defense (digs) and 70 percent of the blocking.
"It's going to be a challenge to replace the players we lost," Sutherland said. "I believe that this team has enough desire and confidence to rise to the challenge."
Mell and Seymour earned first team all-conference accolades last season, while Seymour was tabbed Co-Setter of the Year. Both garnered AVCA All-American honorable mention as well as All-Region honorable mention honors. Bowden and Sears return as the top blockers for the Eagles, accumulating a combined 192 blocks and 427 kills.
"The biggest positive for this team is that we are all on the same page," Sutherland said. "I believe the team dynamic is incredible and we have a common goal. We have a lot of different personalities, but the one common trait that they have is hard work and I believe that is something that will take us a long way."
Mell and Seymour received preseason all-conference honors as voted on by the 12 league coaches.
Southern Miss opens the campaign by hosting South Alabama, Nicholls State and Kennesaw State in the Southern Miss Invitational, Aug. 27-28. The Golden Eagles open tournament play against South Alabama at 12 p.m., followed by Kennesaw State and Nicholls State at 2:30 and concluding with Southern Miss and Nicholls State at 7 p.m. Saturday's action begins at 12 p.m. with South Alabama and Kennesaw State, followed by Nicholls State and South Alabama at 2:30 and concludes with Southern Miss and Kennesaw State at 7 p.m.
