2011 Davidson Volleyball Season Outlook
8/26/2011 1:55:00 PM | Volleyball
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DAVIDSON, N.C. — There will be a lot of new faces on the court when the Wildcats open the 2011 season against Mercer Friday at 5 p.m. at the Winthrop Invitational.
With the loss of five seniors to graduation, including 2010 All-SoCon First Team member Sarabeth Peele, the Wildcats will be charged with replacing a starter at nearly every position. Setter Hayley Lawson started 121 matches over four years, amassing 3,775 assists, while the offense ran through Peele, who started 126 matches and finished with 1,638 career kills. Middle hitter Jorden Benedict and libero Jennifer Chamblee started 130 and 126 matches, respectively, and graduated with 361 blocks and 1,148 digs.
But where some would see an impossible task, new head coach Chris Willis sees opportunity.
“The program is certainly in a transitional phase right now,” Willis said. “Not just with new faces and systems, but in finding a way to replace the offensive output of those five seniors. We're never going to replace that class, so we have to find ways to redefine ourselves instead.”
Not everybody on the court will be new, of course, as the Wildcats are led by a solid and experienced senior trio of middle hitter Madison Benedict, opposite Erin Lupfer and outside hitter Christine Perzinski. Significant contributors whose roles are also expected to increase this season are juniors Molly Crenshaw and Ariel Ley, and talented sophomores Tindall Sewell and Caroline Brown showed potential and promise last season and will need to step into pivotal roles vacated by Benedict and Peele.
While there is sure to be a learning curve for this 2011 squad, Willis is bringing a forward-looking approach to his game plan.
“The girls have embraced that this is their team now,” Willis said. “They aren't looking back, but are looking forward to the future and are excited about the challenge.”
Setter
This season, the Wildcats will turn the offense over to Ley, who has spent the past two seasons gaining valuable experience, learning the offense behind Lawson.
Ley has appeared in 47 matches (120 sets) for the Wildcats, tallying 39 kills, 207 assists, 36 aces, 110 digs and seven blocks.
“Rel had a wonderful spring,” Willis said. “She took the leadership reigns of the offense. She's like Brett Favre in that she is a very high risk, high reward-type setter, which adds an unpredictability to our offense. She is a high energy player with a good attitude that is a lot of fun to be around.”
Freshman Anastasia Owen will back-up Ley. Owen is a two-time team captain and All-Area player out of The International School in Atlanta, Ga.
“Stazi has great energy,” Willis said. “She has surprised us in the gym and has raised her level since she stepped on the court. We are thrilled with her ability to adapt to the speed on the college game.”
Outside Hitter
The Wildcats have plenty of depth at the outside hitter position, headlined by Perzinski and Brown.
Perzinski, one of the team's co-captains, appeared in all 34 matches and started 28 for the Wildcats last season, tallying 197 kills (1.61/set) with 16 assists, 260 digs and 28 blocks. She also led the team with 40 service aces and with 95 career aces, she ranks just outside the all-time Top 10.
“Christine is the glue of the team — something that you don't necessarily see until it is taken away,” Willis said. “She is the type of player that makes the extra dig, puts free balls in the perfect spot, takes that critical swing at 23-20, and doesn't make a lot of errors. She also anchors us defensively and in our serve receive because she has great ball control.”
After a year learning the offense, Brown is poised for a breakout season. In her first season with the 'Cats, Brown appeared in 27 matches and made six starts, collecting 58 kills (1.59/set) with nine aces, 54 digs and 18 blocks.
“Lina is the player that you don't want to see on the other side of the net,” Willis said. “She drives defenses crazy because she is so unpredictable offensively. She has a very high volleyball IQ and is difficult to read as an attacker, yet her court personality doesn't reflect cockiness or overconfidence because she plays every ball in the moment.”
Behind Perzinski and Brown, the Wildcats have a trio of performers that could make an impact in sophomore Megan Chamberlin, freshman Rachel Earnhardt and freshman Madisson Smith.
Chamberlin appeared in a pair of matches in her freshman season and showed tremendous growth over the team's spring season.
“Megan is a natural athlete who has caught up to the speed of the college game,” Willis said. “She is learning to use her shots effectively and how to expand her range in the backcourt.”
A two-time conference Player of the Year out of Greensboro, Willis calls Earnhardt “one of the biggest surprises of the fall season.” “We weren't sure if Rachel was physical enough to terminate at this level, but she showed us that she can put balls away against college defenses,” he said.
Smith is a two-time team captain out of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., who is a versatile player that adds depth to the attack. “Madisson has a high volleyball IQ and reads the game on a high level,” Willis said.
Opposite
After appearing in all 34 matches last season, Lupfer will once again lead the right-side attack for the Wildcats. Lupfer finished the season with 228 kills (1.87/set) to go along with 29 assists, 63 digs and 42 blocks. Over a three-year career, Lupfer has played in 97 matches (340 sets) with 430 kills, 62 assists, 32 aces, 163 digs and 88 blocks and brings a wealth of experience into her final season.
“Erin is one of the best athletes on the court,” Willis said. “She is a tremendous jumper with a terminal arm swing. She understands the speed of the game and will be able to apply her experience this year. We look forward to seeing her explode on the court.”
The Wildcats will also get a lift from sophomore Taylor Pisel, who, after appearing in four matches last season, is poised to make significant contributions in her second season.
“Taylor put in a lot of hard work in the offseason and came back in the best shape of her life,” Willis said. “She is moving quicker, jumping higher and hitting the ball harder. In my opinion, she made the biggest jump since the end of last season. Her strength is her natural ability to block and her long arm swing.”
Middle Blocker
The Wildcats will be led at the net by Madison Benedict and Sewell. Benedict, the team's other co-captain, started all 34 matches last season, finishing with 168 kills (1.42/set), 22 digs and 85 blocks.
“Madison is a veteran presence on the court,” Willis said. “She is the type of player that is always going to close the block and make the right play — a very low-error type of attacker. She is one of the most steady middles I have coached.”
The 'Cats will also depend heavily on Sewell, who, after appearing in 12 matches and starting one last season, is expected to step into the role vacated by Jorden Benedict. Sewell led the Wildcats in 2011 with a .429 hitting percentage, just ahead of Jorden Benedict's .305, and finished with 27 kills (1.50/set), a pair of digs and four blocks.
“Tindall is ready to explode on the scene,” Willis said. “She is a big, physical middle that does exactly what you ask of her. She plays high above the net, and as a sophomore, is still learning the game, so we are going to see a lot of improvement from her over the next three years — which is exciting.”
Libero/DS
Crenshaw will anchor the Davidson defense, after appearing in 30 matches and starting 20 for the Wildcats a season ago. Crenshaw tallied 236 digs in her second season and enters the year with 682 career digs.
“Molly has solidified herself as a phenomenal digger and has made her impact in serve receive,” Willis said. “Her vocal leadership on the court will also help us out tremendously.”
Sophomore Jenna Ptaschinski and freshman Sarah Roberts will also gain valuable playing experience and contribute to the Wildcat defense.
“Jenna came in this fall with a new attitude and has really come into her own,” Willis said. “She is much more confident and excited to see more playing time. Sarah has been one of the pleasant surprises this fall. She has settled in as one of our best floor defenders and is picking up the speed of the game as she transitions into a new position.”
The Schedule
The Wildcats open the season with four tournaments — traveling to the Winthrop Invitational (Aug. 26 and 27), the University of South Carolina Invitational (Sept. 2 and 3) and the High Point Invitational (Sept. 9 and 10) before hosting their own Wildcat Classic on Sept. 16 and 17 in Belk Arena. The 'Cats will get the chance to test their skills up against some of the region's top teams in Winthrop, South Carolina and 2010 Big South Champion High Point before opening Southern Conference play at home on Sept. 22 against Furman.
“I really like the schedule,” Willis said. “I think we have some good challenges, and the preseason tournaments will set us up to be successful in conference play.”
In the SoCon, the Wildcats once again face a challenging slate of league competition. Georgia Southern, 2010 SoCon Champions, and Elon were voted the favorites to win the South and North divisions, respectively, by the league's head coaches. The 'Cats were picked fourth in their division, which, if the prediction holds, would secure a spot in the 2011 SoCon Tournament to be held this season in Samford, Ala., November 18-20.
DAVIDSON, N.C. — There will be a lot of new faces on the court when the Wildcats open the 2011 season against Mercer Friday at 5 p.m. at the Winthrop Invitational.
With the loss of five seniors to graduation, including 2010 All-SoCon First Team member Sarabeth Peele, the Wildcats will be charged with replacing a starter at nearly every position. Setter Hayley Lawson started 121 matches over four years, amassing 3,775 assists, while the offense ran through Peele, who started 126 matches and finished with 1,638 career kills. Middle hitter Jorden Benedict and libero Jennifer Chamblee started 130 and 126 matches, respectively, and graduated with 361 blocks and 1,148 digs.
But where some would see an impossible task, new head coach Chris Willis sees opportunity.
“The program is certainly in a transitional phase right now,” Willis said. “Not just with new faces and systems, but in finding a way to replace the offensive output of those five seniors. We're never going to replace that class, so we have to find ways to redefine ourselves instead.”
Not everybody on the court will be new, of course, as the Wildcats are led by a solid and experienced senior trio of middle hitter Madison Benedict, opposite Erin Lupfer and outside hitter Christine Perzinski. Significant contributors whose roles are also expected to increase this season are juniors Molly Crenshaw and Ariel Ley, and talented sophomores Tindall Sewell and Caroline Brown showed potential and promise last season and will need to step into pivotal roles vacated by Benedict and Peele.
While there is sure to be a learning curve for this 2011 squad, Willis is bringing a forward-looking approach to his game plan.
“The girls have embraced that this is their team now,” Willis said. “They aren't looking back, but are looking forward to the future and are excited about the challenge.”
Setter
This season, the Wildcats will turn the offense over to Ley, who has spent the past two seasons gaining valuable experience, learning the offense behind Lawson.
Ley has appeared in 47 matches (120 sets) for the Wildcats, tallying 39 kills, 207 assists, 36 aces, 110 digs and seven blocks.
“Rel had a wonderful spring,” Willis said. “She took the leadership reigns of the offense. She's like Brett Favre in that she is a very high risk, high reward-type setter, which adds an unpredictability to our offense. She is a high energy player with a good attitude that is a lot of fun to be around.”
Freshman Anastasia Owen will back-up Ley. Owen is a two-time team captain and All-Area player out of The International School in Atlanta, Ga.
“Stazi has great energy,” Willis said. “She has surprised us in the gym and has raised her level since she stepped on the court. We are thrilled with her ability to adapt to the speed on the college game.”
Outside Hitter
The Wildcats have plenty of depth at the outside hitter position, headlined by Perzinski and Brown.
Perzinski, one of the team's co-captains, appeared in all 34 matches and started 28 for the Wildcats last season, tallying 197 kills (1.61/set) with 16 assists, 260 digs and 28 blocks. She also led the team with 40 service aces and with 95 career aces, she ranks just outside the all-time Top 10.
“Christine is the glue of the team — something that you don't necessarily see until it is taken away,” Willis said. “She is the type of player that makes the extra dig, puts free balls in the perfect spot, takes that critical swing at 23-20, and doesn't make a lot of errors. She also anchors us defensively and in our serve receive because she has great ball control.”
After a year learning the offense, Brown is poised for a breakout season. In her first season with the 'Cats, Brown appeared in 27 matches and made six starts, collecting 58 kills (1.59/set) with nine aces, 54 digs and 18 blocks.
“Lina is the player that you don't want to see on the other side of the net,” Willis said. “She drives defenses crazy because she is so unpredictable offensively. She has a very high volleyball IQ and is difficult to read as an attacker, yet her court personality doesn't reflect cockiness or overconfidence because she plays every ball in the moment.”
Behind Perzinski and Brown, the Wildcats have a trio of performers that could make an impact in sophomore Megan Chamberlin, freshman Rachel Earnhardt and freshman Madisson Smith.
Chamberlin appeared in a pair of matches in her freshman season and showed tremendous growth over the team's spring season.
“Megan is a natural athlete who has caught up to the speed of the college game,” Willis said. “She is learning to use her shots effectively and how to expand her range in the backcourt.”
A two-time conference Player of the Year out of Greensboro, Willis calls Earnhardt “one of the biggest surprises of the fall season.” “We weren't sure if Rachel was physical enough to terminate at this level, but she showed us that she can put balls away against college defenses,” he said.
Smith is a two-time team captain out of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., who is a versatile player that adds depth to the attack. “Madisson has a high volleyball IQ and reads the game on a high level,” Willis said.
Opposite
After appearing in all 34 matches last season, Lupfer will once again lead the right-side attack for the Wildcats. Lupfer finished the season with 228 kills (1.87/set) to go along with 29 assists, 63 digs and 42 blocks. Over a three-year career, Lupfer has played in 97 matches (340 sets) with 430 kills, 62 assists, 32 aces, 163 digs and 88 blocks and brings a wealth of experience into her final season.
“Erin is one of the best athletes on the court,” Willis said. “She is a tremendous jumper with a terminal arm swing. She understands the speed of the game and will be able to apply her experience this year. We look forward to seeing her explode on the court.”
The Wildcats will also get a lift from sophomore Taylor Pisel, who, after appearing in four matches last season, is poised to make significant contributions in her second season.
“Taylor put in a lot of hard work in the offseason and came back in the best shape of her life,” Willis said. “She is moving quicker, jumping higher and hitting the ball harder. In my opinion, she made the biggest jump since the end of last season. Her strength is her natural ability to block and her long arm swing.”
Middle Blocker
The Wildcats will be led at the net by Madison Benedict and Sewell. Benedict, the team's other co-captain, started all 34 matches last season, finishing with 168 kills (1.42/set), 22 digs and 85 blocks.
“Madison is a veteran presence on the court,” Willis said. “She is the type of player that is always going to close the block and make the right play — a very low-error type of attacker. She is one of the most steady middles I have coached.”
The 'Cats will also depend heavily on Sewell, who, after appearing in 12 matches and starting one last season, is expected to step into the role vacated by Jorden Benedict. Sewell led the Wildcats in 2011 with a .429 hitting percentage, just ahead of Jorden Benedict's .305, and finished with 27 kills (1.50/set), a pair of digs and four blocks.
“Tindall is ready to explode on the scene,” Willis said. “She is a big, physical middle that does exactly what you ask of her. She plays high above the net, and as a sophomore, is still learning the game, so we are going to see a lot of improvement from her over the next three years — which is exciting.”
Libero/DS
Crenshaw will anchor the Davidson defense, after appearing in 30 matches and starting 20 for the Wildcats a season ago. Crenshaw tallied 236 digs in her second season and enters the year with 682 career digs.
“Molly has solidified herself as a phenomenal digger and has made her impact in serve receive,” Willis said. “Her vocal leadership on the court will also help us out tremendously.”
Sophomore Jenna Ptaschinski and freshman Sarah Roberts will also gain valuable playing experience and contribute to the Wildcat defense.
“Jenna came in this fall with a new attitude and has really come into her own,” Willis said. “She is much more confident and excited to see more playing time. Sarah has been one of the pleasant surprises this fall. She has settled in as one of our best floor defenders and is picking up the speed of the game as she transitions into a new position.”
The Schedule
The Wildcats open the season with four tournaments — traveling to the Winthrop Invitational (Aug. 26 and 27), the University of South Carolina Invitational (Sept. 2 and 3) and the High Point Invitational (Sept. 9 and 10) before hosting their own Wildcat Classic on Sept. 16 and 17 in Belk Arena. The 'Cats will get the chance to test their skills up against some of the region's top teams in Winthrop, South Carolina and 2010 Big South Champion High Point before opening Southern Conference play at home on Sept. 22 against Furman.
“I really like the schedule,” Willis said. “I think we have some good challenges, and the preseason tournaments will set us up to be successful in conference play.”
In the SoCon, the Wildcats once again face a challenging slate of league competition. Georgia Southern, 2010 SoCon Champions, and Elon were voted the favorites to win the South and North divisions, respectively, by the league's head coaches. The 'Cats were picked fourth in their division, which, if the prediction holds, would secure a spot in the 2011 SoCon Tournament to be held this season in Samford, Ala., November 18-20.
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