FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANDERSON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Friday, August 22, 2008
AU VOLLEYBALL TEAM HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS
With five returning starters and the largest freshman class in head coach Jennifer Bell's career, expectations are high for the Anderson University volleyball team in 2008. “Everywhere I go there's a buzz,” Bell said. “People tell me we're supposed to be good this year. It’s exciting to think about. I'm trying not to get too excited because we are so young. If we didn't earn respect before last year, we earned it last year. “We want to win the conference. That’s our goal. We also want the player of the year award and all-conference honors for several players. If we get the right team out there, we can accomplish all of that.” The Lady Trojans were 20-18 overall and 14-6 in Conference Carolinas last season. In 10 seasons at Anderson, Bell has led the Lady Trojans to five 20-win seasons, including there of the last four years. Anderson’s ’07 season had a bitter ending. In the semifinals of the Conference Carolinas Tournament, the Lady Trojans dropped a five-game match to Lees-McRae. Anderson had the lead in the fifth game but could not hold it. “How our season ended is still being talked about,” Bell said. “You live and learn and bounce back. We need to take it more into our control instead of letting others try to determine the outcome. We had several chances in that match to step up and finish it. “We worked together, set our goals, and we just kept working toward them. They had that confidence. After getting over a couple of humps last year, the confidence is there and they’re excited. As soon as the season was over, they started talking about next year. Last year, we did a good job of staying focused on the court and off the court.” Bell expects Amanda Edwards (Sr., Azle, Tx.) to be one of the top players in Conference Carolinas. Edwards led the team in total kills (519) and kills per game (3.84) last season. She needs 357 kills to become Anderson’s all-time leader. “I’m really looking forward to seeing what Amanda can do this year,” Bell said. “She’s healthy and eager to get back and get started. She’s in a new role as team captain. She went through a couple things in the spring that helped her grow as a captain. On the court, she has always been a leader. I think she can keep our young team together.” Ashley Prince (Sr., Anderson, S.C.) also will serve as a team captain. “Ashley was a part-time starter in the middle last year,” Bell said. “She has done a lot to improve. She has been putting more effort into it. She is expecting big things from the team.” Adria Mullaney (So., Tampa, Fla.) returns to the libero position. She led the team in digs per game last season at 4.42. “Adria can play outside, but I think the team will be more successful with her in the libero position,” Bell said. “We started winning when we moved her to libero. She has a high number of digs. I’m looking forward to seeing her back there again.” Lindsay Doggett (So., Jacksonville, Ala.) is fourth on the Anderson career assists list after just one season. She recorded 1,540 assists in 135 games last season for an average per game of 11.41, the highest single-game average in the history of the program. “Lindsay should have made first-team all-conference last year,” Bell said. “She led the conference all year, and she did a lot of great things for us. She has refocused. She is doing what she is supposed to be doing to help our team. She really connected with our hitters last year.” Also returning are Jamie Lancaster (So., Fountain Inn, S.C.), Jennifer Moffitt (Jr., Hendersonville, N.C.), and Charlene Fidelia (So., Asheville, N.C.). “Jamie was one of the top freshman outside hitters in the conference last year,” Bell said. “Other than Leanna (Willis), she was our strongest hitter. She is very smart and very calm. She could play outside too, but she’s more comfortable on the right side now that’s been there for a year. Jennifer is versatile enough to play anywhere, and Charlene improved a lot last season and showed a positive attitude.” The freshman class of seven players includes two players – Jada Keown (Anderson, S.C.) and Maureen Smith (Cumming, Ga.) – who are taller than six feet. “It will be a challenge because we’re so young, but they are talented,” Bell said. “We’re excited about the size and strength of Jada and Maureen. Both should step in and play somewhere. Jada can play middle, right side, and outside, while Maureen is a middle hitter.” Bell expects Jesi Hooper (Easley, S.C.) and Brittani Herron (Matthews, N.C.) to battle for playing time at outside hitter. “Jesi can play all three hitter positions and has a great jump serve,” she said. “Brittani is fundamentally strong.” The remainder of the freshman class is setter/libero Megan Murray and defensive specialists Katie Rich and Marlie Bryant. “This is the strongest recruiting class I’ve ever had at Anderson,” Bell said. “They’re hungry and ready to go. I feel good about this team because of who we have returning and what we did last year. Our seniors have set high goals for themselves and the team.”