Volleyball Preps for Schedule

Tim Foster, MC Sports Information
Following an experiential pre-season team trip to Costa Rica, the Maryville College Lady Scots Volleyball team took to the Randy Lambert Court today in MC’s Cooper Athletic Center to continue to prepare for the 2011 fall season.
Entering her 26th season, Head Coach Kandis Schram has a Fighting Scots Volleyball team that possesses exceptional leadership with a well-rounded core of young talented players for the 2011 Volleyball season.
Seniors Kristen Findley, Katherine Nadler and Kayla Anderson are all vital leaders for this volleyball team who look to improve on their 14-18 record a season ago. Newly appointed assistant coach Jesse Zabal and volunteer assistant Kellie Walker will bolster the coaching staff and will look to help the development of the Lady Scots program. The 2011 Volleyball season will also be the first year that there will be a full junior varsity program to better the development of the girls when they reach the varsity stage.
The 2010 GSAC Player of the Year Kristen Findley is the strength of the frontline of the Scots attack; a total of 419 kills in 117 sets played last season with 1194 total attacks. Joining Findley will be sophomore Kristen Sharp who deposited 86 kills last season. Sophomores Kristy Newman and Katie Horenkamp will add depth to the outside hitter position. Junior Kara Strickland will be a key contributor for the right side attacker for the Scots as she returns 52 kills for the Scots in 2010.
“Kristen Findley is obviously a great player for us but I am eager to see how Katie Horenkamp comes back after surgery. Kristen Sharp and Kristy Newman were great for us last year as freshman and will rotate well for us this season,” Coach Schram said.
Middle blocker is considered a strong point for the Scots as three returning contributors sustain the middle line. Seniors Kayla Anderson and Casey Merrill have the potential to become a great tandem for the Scots. Anderson contributed 112 kills last season. Jillian Galewski returns after a stellar freshman season in which she contributed 141 kills in 106 sets played along with 79 total blocks in 2010. Freshman Amanda Gunlickson and Doniqua Flack bring raw athleticism as freshman along with Linley Dunn.
“If Kayla Anderson and Casey Merrill have worked hard in the offseason they should be the next great tandem to play the middle backer position to go along with Jillian Galewski who is coming off an impressive freshman season. We are looking forward to what these three girls can do together,” Coach Schram said.
The setter position will be occupied by junior Teri Lind who averaged 5.65 sets a game last season. Freshmen Kristen Hardin and Lauren Bonee will hope to mature behind Lind during the 2011 season. “I am looking forward to the healthy competition between the setters this preseason. Kristen Hardin and Lauren Bonee have good skill sets and will push Teri Lind to improve her skill sets as well,” Coach Schram said.
The defensive line returns an always solid group that is the backbone for the Lady Scots. Senior Katherine Nadler is a three year starter at the Libero position and recorded 490 digs in 2010 averaging 4.22 a game. The defensive line will be bolstered by sophomore Gabby Cheij. Cheij transfers from Division II Mount Olive College and Kandis Schram believes that she will look to contribute immediately. Freshmen Hope Johnson, Mallory Bonee, and Courtney Eaton all will look to gain experience at the defensive positions.
“Katherine plays such a huge role for us being able to play the Libero. We are looking for our young girls to mature this season and to hopefully be able to fulfill the Libero role for us in the future.” Coach Schram said.
The Scots will open with a tournament in Wittenburg, Ohio. This tournament is exclusive with invitation teams only competing.