Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Volleyball Readies for 2016 Campaign
8/26/2016 6:51:00 PM | Volleyball
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Live Stats
DAVIDSON, N.C. – As the first official week of classes comes to a close, Davidson volleyball gears up for its first weekend of the 2016 season, heading to the UNCW Courtyard by Marriott Classic in Wilmington, N.C.
The Wildcats will face Jacksonville and Winthrop on Saturday at 12 and 4:30 p.m., followed by the finale, facing host UNCW at noon on Sunday.
2016 AT A GLANCE
After narrowly missing the Atlantic 10 Tournament last season, the 'Cats were selected to finish seventh in the A-10 Preseason Coaches' Poll. Head Coach Chris Willis brings back a strong veteran squad with 12 returners, anchored by senior captains Mikayla Derochie and Emily Franklin and sophomore Sabrina Shepherd, the 2015 A-10 Rookie of the Year.
With a significant amount of playing time returning, the Wildcats will use experience and depth to their advantage, while welcoming in four freshmen who will all look to make an immediate impact.
WELCOME ABOARD
2016 will mark the first season for assistant coach Stephanie Zielinski, who spent last season as a volunteer assistant at Wake Forest before joining the program last spring. Zielinski was a four-year starter at Rutgers as a setter.
Joining her is volunteer assistant Justin Snyder, who spent four years as a middle hitter at Division II Belmont Abbey, leading the team to a program-best 18 wins during his senior year.
THE COURT BREAKDOWN
"We're balanced with upperclassmen leadership and experience in our younger players," Willis said of his 2016 squad. "We return over 90% of our offense and blocking, but we'll need to find consistency in our ball control to maximize that talent."
Setters
Derochie will tag-team the setting duties with sophomore Mason Rooney, who provides versatility as both a setter and attacker. The duo combined for more than 85% of the teams assists a year ago.
"Those two are solid bookends for our offense and will lead us throughout the year," Willis said. "The setting department is as good as we've had it at Davidson."
Libero
"We have several individuals working hard to earn the libero jersey this year," Willis said, noting that returners Kylie Bishopp and Sam Thompson have made big improvements this past spring, and freshmen Josie Treadwell and Elise Edman add depth to the back row.
Middle Hitters
Franklin and Shepherd each return after stellar 2015 campaigns, and juniors Grace Schlicht and Mary Harriet Moore will provide power off the bench. Shepherd led the team last season with 195 kills.
"Our depth and experience at this position is also better than the 'Cats have had in a long time," Willis said, "And I'm confident in the outstanding athletes coming off the bench to come in and pick up where the starters leave off."
Outside/Opposite Hitters
Juniors Sarah Fink and Kelly Friers both look to bounce back from injury-plagued 2015s. Joining them is sophomore Ciera Cockrell, who ranked third on the team last season with 170 kills, and classmate Katharine Franz, who has also fully recovered from an injury to provide additional hitting power.
"Our pin hitters have quality experience and are ready to carry a bigger load for us this fall," Willis said. "Friers and Fink both have seasons of experience. Ciera played in every match last year and is ready to take the next step in her development as a starter. Franz is fully recovered and should terminate at a high level."
Also looking to impact is a pair of rookies in Treadwell and classmate Emma McLaughlin. "They're poised to challenge for playing time on the outside."
THE SCHEDULE
The team will head to Winston-Salem, N.C., next weekend, facing Wake Forest, Loyola, and College of Charleston in the Wake Forest Invitational before its home debut against Elon on Sept. 6.
Davidson will host the Wildcat Classic on Sept. 9-10, welcoming Furman, USC Upstate, and Liberty to Baker Sports Complex.
The 'Cats will also face SEC foe South Carolina in its final pre-conference weekend and begin A-10 action in Richmond, Va., facing VCU. Davidson will face each of the league's top teams twice in VCU and Dayton and play 10 other conference matches throughout the season.
"Expectations are high for this year's team, and we've created a schedule to challenge our talent and prepare us for the A-10 season," Willis noted. "With the unbalanced nature of the conference schedule, we'll need to perform at our highest level throughout the season to ear our first trip to the A-10 tournament."
Live Stats
DAVIDSON, N.C. – As the first official week of classes comes to a close, Davidson volleyball gears up for its first weekend of the 2016 season, heading to the UNCW Courtyard by Marriott Classic in Wilmington, N.C.
The Wildcats will face Jacksonville and Winthrop on Saturday at 12 and 4:30 p.m., followed by the finale, facing host UNCW at noon on Sunday.
2016 AT A GLANCE
After narrowly missing the Atlantic 10 Tournament last season, the 'Cats were selected to finish seventh in the A-10 Preseason Coaches' Poll. Head Coach Chris Willis brings back a strong veteran squad with 12 returners, anchored by senior captains Mikayla Derochie and Emily Franklin and sophomore Sabrina Shepherd, the 2015 A-10 Rookie of the Year.
With a significant amount of playing time returning, the Wildcats will use experience and depth to their advantage, while welcoming in four freshmen who will all look to make an immediate impact.
WELCOME ABOARD
2016 will mark the first season for assistant coach Stephanie Zielinski, who spent last season as a volunteer assistant at Wake Forest before joining the program last spring. Zielinski was a four-year starter at Rutgers as a setter.
Joining her is volunteer assistant Justin Snyder, who spent four years as a middle hitter at Division II Belmont Abbey, leading the team to a program-best 18 wins during his senior year.
THE COURT BREAKDOWN
"We're balanced with upperclassmen leadership and experience in our younger players," Willis said of his 2016 squad. "We return over 90% of our offense and blocking, but we'll need to find consistency in our ball control to maximize that talent."
Setters
Derochie will tag-team the setting duties with sophomore Mason Rooney, who provides versatility as both a setter and attacker. The duo combined for more than 85% of the teams assists a year ago.
"Those two are solid bookends for our offense and will lead us throughout the year," Willis said. "The setting department is as good as we've had it at Davidson."
Libero
"We have several individuals working hard to earn the libero jersey this year," Willis said, noting that returners Kylie Bishopp and Sam Thompson have made big improvements this past spring, and freshmen Josie Treadwell and Elise Edman add depth to the back row.
Middle Hitters
Franklin and Shepherd each return after stellar 2015 campaigns, and juniors Grace Schlicht and Mary Harriet Moore will provide power off the bench. Shepherd led the team last season with 195 kills.
"Our depth and experience at this position is also better than the 'Cats have had in a long time," Willis said, "And I'm confident in the outstanding athletes coming off the bench to come in and pick up where the starters leave off."
Outside/Opposite Hitters
Juniors Sarah Fink and Kelly Friers both look to bounce back from injury-plagued 2015s. Joining them is sophomore Ciera Cockrell, who ranked third on the team last season with 170 kills, and classmate Katharine Franz, who has also fully recovered from an injury to provide additional hitting power.
"Our pin hitters have quality experience and are ready to carry a bigger load for us this fall," Willis said. "Friers and Fink both have seasons of experience. Ciera played in every match last year and is ready to take the next step in her development as a starter. Franz is fully recovered and should terminate at a high level."
Also looking to impact is a pair of rookies in Treadwell and classmate Emma McLaughlin. "They're poised to challenge for playing time on the outside."
THE SCHEDULE
The team will head to Winston-Salem, N.C., next weekend, facing Wake Forest, Loyola, and College of Charleston in the Wake Forest Invitational before its home debut against Elon on Sept. 6.
Davidson will host the Wildcat Classic on Sept. 9-10, welcoming Furman, USC Upstate, and Liberty to Baker Sports Complex.
The 'Cats will also face SEC foe South Carolina in its final pre-conference weekend and begin A-10 action in Richmond, Va., facing VCU. Davidson will face each of the league's top teams twice in VCU and Dayton and play 10 other conference matches throughout the season.
"Expectations are high for this year's team, and we've created a schedule to challenge our talent and prepare us for the A-10 season," Willis noted. "With the unbalanced nature of the conference schedule, we'll need to perform at our highest level throughout the season to ear our first trip to the A-10 tournament."
Players Mentioned
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