University of the Cumberlands Volleyball 05-06 Preview

The University of the Cumberlands Volleyball team has made some great strides since the beginning of the season last year. With a team full of younger players, the Patriot Ladies finished the season with a 20-17 record. Even though it was a winning record, the team has the potential to improve. As many of the returning players will have another year of varsity experience behind them, the 2005 season looks to be a bright one for the Patriot Ladies.

The Volleyball team lost two extremely valuable players to graduation last year. Lisa Van Berkel and Marla Harris, who were exceptional forces at the net, will be greatly missed from the Patriots side of the court. Hard hitting freshman Taran Johnson, of London, KY will help fill the middle hitting spot left vacant after Van Berkel's graduation and will immediately make an impact.

Other key-newcomers for the season include freshman Katie Tinsley from Louisville, KY, who will prove to be an incredible source at the net as the Patriots go to her for assists. Freshman, Jamie Seifker from Celina, OH will also prove to have an outstanding impact on the Patriots side, as she steps it up to prove herself an incredible outside hitter. Juniors Liz Bowling, Jennifer Burke, and Aslean White will also be big go to girls as they seem to hold the majority of the leadership. Lone senior Traci Snyder will once again provide incredible strength from the back row, along with another standout junior Marie Vickers.

Head Coach Amanda Walton comments, "I believe we will have the ability to be an incredibly strong team this season. We have a lot of youth on our team, but we also have a lot of well-rounded role models both on and off the court. I am really looking forward to this season and have great faith in what these girls can accomplish."

The Patriot Ladies will be in the hunt for the Mid-South Conference Championship once again this year. Cumberlands will have several conference games as they play each MSC team twice during the season. With the experience and talent that is on the team, the University of the Cumberlands Volleyball team will look to spike their competition.

04-05 Season Preview