Wildcats Kick off 2015 at Charlotte Invitational

Friday, August 28

Charlotte, N.C.

7:00 p.m.

Davidson College Athletics

Charlotte

Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com

Wildcats Kick off 2015 at Charlotte Invitational

8/27/2015 1:45:00 PM | Volleyball

Tournament Info	2015 Charlotte Invitational
Dates	Aug. 28-29
Venue	Halton Arena
Video	Charlotter49ersTV (Charlotte Match only)
Stats	Live Stats (Charlotte) Live Stats (Asheville) Live Stats (USC Upstate
Tickets	(704) 687-4949

DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Davidson volleyball team will kick off its 2015 season this weekend with a short trip to the Charlotte Invitational at Halton Arena.

The Wildcats will first take to the court Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. versus cross town rival Charlotte before facing Asheville on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 10 a.m. and USC Upstate at 5 p.m.

About Davidson
Coming off its inaugural season in the Atlantic 10 Conference, Davidson returns 13 student-athletes to the court, while welcoming five newcomers. With a significant amount of playing time returning, the Wildcats will use experience and depth to their advantage.

Libero
Four student-athletes will be fighting for time at the libero position and defensive specialist. Morgan Shannon, who suited up as the libero in most games last season, saw action in 82 sets in 2014. The Roanoke, Va., native averaged a team high 3.78 digs per set. Senior Layne Doctson registered 1.03 digs per set, while sophomore Kylie Bishopp averaged 0.78 digs per set. Freshman Sam Thompson will also look to make an impact in the back row.

Set It up
Led by upperclassmen captains Gaylen Fronk and Mikayla Derochie, the setting position will rely on experience. Fronk saw action in 12 sets last season, registered seven assists, while Derochie has been a two-year starter for the Wildcats. The junior turned in 520 assists to average 6.05 per set, while chipping in 29 kills and 19 total blocks. Freshman Mason Rooney who is 6-2 and left handed will also look to make an impact as she brings dynamic athleticism to the court.

In The Middle
In the middle, Davidson will rely on four dynamic student-athletes. Emily Franklin and Mary Harriet Moore saw significant time in 2014. Franklin contributed an impressive 111 kills in 85 sets played, while averaging a team high 1.01 blocks per set. Moore recorded 103 kills in 86 sets played and 0.87 blocks per set. Sophomore Grace Schlicht, who redshirted in 2014, and freshman Sabrina Shepherd will also look to make an impact in the middle.

On The Outside
Outside, the Wildcats return three pin hitters who were major contributors a season ago. Senior Hannah Rau paced the team with 220 kills in 84 sets play to average 2.62 kills per set. Rau also chipped in 16 service aces and 2.92 digs per set. Sophomore Kelly Friers put away 108 kills in 68 sets to own a 1.59 kills per set average. Classmate Sarah Fink tallied 62 kills in 48 sets, to average 1.29 kills per set. Ciera Cockrell, a freshman from Waxhaw, N.C., will also look to jump into the rotation and make an impact.

On the Right Side
Senior Michelle McNeight will be an impactful player on the right side. Her electric arm and dynamic athleticism will prove to be strengths. Playing high above the net, McNeight recorded 120 kills in 82 sets to own a 1.46 kills per set average a season ago to go alone with 0.62 blocks per set. Coming off an injury, freshman Katharine Franz is hopeful to return to the lineup in September.

What's New
The Wildcats added five freshmen to the roster for the 2015 season. Sam Thompson, Sabrina Shepherd, Mason Rooney, Katharine Franz and Ciera Cockrell make up the class of 2019.

Up Next
Davidson continues its tournament play next weekend as the Wildcats host the 2015 Wildcat Classic at John M. Belk Arena, Sept. 4-5. The 'Cats will take on Hampton, Presbyterian and East Carolina.