Volleyball team posts strong performances in spring work
4/14/2010 8:40:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Coming off a year that ended with a record of 20 victories and 14 losses, the most wins for a Sam Houston volleyball team since 1996, expectations are high and Gray is pleased with what she has seen in the spring.
"It's really exciting to get the team back on the floor again," Gray said. "We've had an excellent spring."
Sam Houston defeated the University of Houston at UH and took a set from Texas A&M, playing the Aggies close in the other sets the two teams played.
"This is a great group of players and they've performed well," said Gray.
Sam Houston finished 2009 Southland Conference play as runners-up in the West Division with a 12-4 league mark. Sam Houston went undefeated at home in Johnson Coliseum in conference play and ended the year with a 15-2 record on their home floor.
The most remarkable characteristic of the 2009 team, however, was its "never say die" attitude. Sam Houston was 10-2 in five set matches and won two others in four sets.
"Last year's group is one of the best teams I've coached in all my seasons here at Sam Houston," Gray said. "They were a joy to coach and responded well whenever the going got tough. What is really exciting is that having so many of these players return for next fall."
Two All-Southland Conference selections return for Sam Houston in 2010. Carli Kolbe of College Station A&M Consolidated led the Bearkats in kills with 461 and ranked third in the league in kills with 3.67 per set. She was a first team All-Southland selection this year. During her two years as a Bearkat, Kolbe has totaled 745 kills and 601 digs.
Freshman Kaylee Hawkins of Dickinson was a first team All-Southland honoree as the Bearkats' libero. She set a Southland Conference and school record with 44 digs in Sam Houston's five-set victory over McNeese State. Hawkins ranked second in the Southland in digs per set (4.35). Hawkins' 522 digs this year rank as the fifth highest single season total in Sam Houston history.
Other returning players for the Bearkats in 2010 include sophomore middle blocker Kim Black of Huntsville, freshman outside hitter Camille Alfaro of San Antonio Marshall, sophomore outside hitter Jamie Kaleh of Magnolia, freshman outside hitter Kelli Stewart of Magnolia, freshman middle blocker Becky Swann of Buda Hays, junior setter Kym Loving of Houston Cy Springs, sophomore outside hitter Courtney Laskowski of Poth and freshman defensive specialist Jamie Haas of Deer Park.
Stewart and Loving both are coming off injuries that forced them to miss most of last season. Stewart played in 10 matches, averaging 1.76 kills and 1.6 digs. Loving averaged 9.27 assists per game as the team's starting setter before going down in the ninth match of the season.
"It's good to get both Kelly and Kym back," Gray said. "They add a lot to our team."
Three new players join the team. Two are transfers, Crystal Roberts from Southern Arkansas University and Brittany Hoag from Arkansas State. (see transfers excited about joining SHSU team).
The third is a freshman, Tayler Gray from Huntsville. Gray was a setter and libero for the Hornets, earning All-District and team MVP honors. She also is the daughter of head coach Brenda Gray who also was a setter for the Bearkats in the 1980s.
"Brittany is a true Division I player who has made an immediate impact. Crystal has great technique and hustle," Gray said. "It's exciting to have Tayler with us as well. She never lets a ball hit the floor."
Also joining the 2010 squad as a freshman will be 5-11 middle blocker Haley Neisler of Flower Mound Marcus High School who inked a letter of intent with Sam Houston during the November early signing period.
Sam Houston State will begin volleyball competition for real in August as the Bearkats face another challenging season in the Southland Conference.
