Volleyball looks to continue success in 2010
8/7/2010 8:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The 2009 Bearkat volleyball team rolled up a 20-14 record during a season that weill be remembered as one of the program's most exciting.
The 20 victories were the most wins for Sam Houston volleyball since 1996. The Kats finished 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.
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.
With eight letter-winners back including four starters, the Bearkats hope to continue that excitement in 2010. The campaign begins as head coach Brenda Gray and her staff welcome 16 student-athletes who report Sunday night for the start of preseason practice.
"Last year's team was one of the best I've coached here at Sam Houston," Gray said. "They responded well whenever the going got tough. "Although we've lost some three starters off that team, I'm optimistic about what we can accomplish this year."
Two 2009 starters were seniors, middle blockers Anna Ferguson and Katie Phillips. Ferguson, a two-time All-Southland Conference first team selection, ranked fourth in the Southland Conference this season with 3.66 kills per set. Phillips started 27 matches in 2009 and played in all 34 contests. Also gone is Michelle Miller who earned All-Southland honors as a freshman but who has transferred to the University of Colorado.
"We lost some quality players but we also return some very talented young ladies," Gray said. "We're young. There is not a senior on the roster. Everyone will be fighting for spots and our juniors are going to have to step up and understand that now this is their team to lead."
Three starters plus the team's libero return for 2010.
Junior Carli Kolbe of College Station 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 last year. During her two years as a Bearkat, Kolbe has totaled 745 kills and 601 digs.
Sophomore 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.
Junior Kim Black of Huntsville started all but one match in 2009 and ranked third on the squad in kills (1.43). Sophomore Camille Alfaro of San Antonio Marshall started 21 matches and was a defensive presence for the Bearkats.
Two other returning players were starters for the Kats before injuries cut short their seasons. Both were granted medical redshirts in 2009. Junior Kym Loving of Cypress ranks ninth in career assists at Sam Houston (1,542) and will look to return to action as the starting setter this fall. Freshman Kelli Stewart of Magnolia totaled 67 kills in eight matches before her injury. She brings a power game to the Kat front line.
Also back are junior outside hitters Jamie Kaleh of Magnolia and Courtney Laskowski of Poth and sophomore defensive specialist Jamie Haas of Deer Park.
"While we don't have any seniors, we have a solid group of juniors to whom the team will look for leadership," Gray said. "It's been my experience that a lot of players really come into their own during their junior season. Juniors usually are hungry and they're experienced enough not to hit the panic mode when things get tight."
Beginning her 27th season as Sam Houston head coach, Gray is one of only 30 active head coaches in NCAA Division I women's volleyball to post more than 500 career victories. Heading the Bearkat program, Gray has a record of 542 wins and 381 losses.
"The most important thing our girls need to remember this year is that the season is a marathon, not a sprint," Gray said. "We've got our work cut out for us."
A solid group of newcomers will help the Bearkats fill the void, especially in the middle. Samantha West, a 6-2 sophomore transfer from Navarro Junior College and 5-11 freshmen Tarona Williams from Fresno Hightower and Haley Neisler join the squad as middle blockers.
On the outside, freshmen 5-11 Amber Bain from Louise and 6-0 Lauren Bohlen from San Antonio O'Connor and 6-0 transfer Brittany Hoag from Arkansas State look to compete for playing time. Huntsville product Tayler Gray, a 5-8 freshman, will step in as a utility player and setter. Gray is the head coach's daughter.
"We're excited about our new players and think we've signed some talented athletes who will help us," Gray said.
Sam Houston will start the 2010 volleyball season with the annual Comfort Suites Bearkat Classic August 27 and 28 at Johnson Coliseum.
