Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball Team Has High Expectations In 2002
08/22/2002 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 22, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - Entering the 2002 season, the Southern Illinois University volleyball team will be led by a class of six seniors, including four regular starters (Kristie Kemner, Lindsey Schultz, Tara Cains & Qiana Nelson) from 2001 in addition to four more players (Erica Miller, Kelly Harman, Lisa Ciucci & Britten Follett) who have had considerable playing time or have started matches the last two years. Coach Sonya Locke has added talented freshmen Michelle Pagnano and Marissa Washington in addition to returners Amber Britton, Yoko Hattori, Linsey Jasper and Carrie Shephard.
The senior class has a sense of urgency after finishing tied for seventh and missing the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament with an 11-19 overall record and a 5-13 MVC mark in 2001. The 2002 senior class is determined to advance to their first MVC Tournament and the first tournament berth for SIU since 1998.
"Our expectations are that we will qualify for the MVC Tournament and that we will have a winning season," said, Locke. "The seniors want to go out on a good note and they don't want to end a career without reaching the MVC tournament and having a winning record. They know you have to sacrifice and they did that this summer so I hope it makes a difference in their final year. They don't want to leave without something good happening while they're here at SIU."
The Salukis will be led by Kristie Kemner, a unanimous 2002 All-MVC preseason pick and a 2001 First-Team, All-MVC outside hitter. She finished third in the MVC in league-only (4.13) and overall kills per game (3.91), fifth in the MVC in league-only digs (3.48) and seventh in overall digs per game (3.24). Kemner led SIU in double-doubles (16), kills (426), kills per game (3.91), digs (353), digs per game (3.24) and attempts (1108) and finished second with 38 aces. She started all 30 matches and played in all 109 games in 2001. Kemner's 35 career double-doubles is third in SIU history, her 1108 attempts in 2001 is the third-best in a season by a Saluki and she became just the sixth Saluki to have over 1000 kills (1087) and 800 digs (849) in a career during 2001. Entering the 2002 season, Kemner is sixth all-time in career attempts (2909) and ninth in kills (1087) in SIU history.
Locke knows for her team to succeed, she'll need help for Kemner, who will be a target for opponents, but expects the attention on her all-MVC outside hitter will allow others to step up.
"Our opponents will attack Kristie. That's a given when you're an all-conference player. We expect that and it's an opportunity for everyone else on the team to take advantage of the opportunity. Someone else will have a chance to step up and become a star. Kristie's going to do what she does because she's good enough to get what she deserves. When teams pay more attention to her than the others, it opens the door for everybody else to have breakout seasons," Locke stated.
One person capable of that breakout season is starting middle blocker Lindsey Schultz, who comes off a her best season in 2001. Schultz led the Salukis with a .355 hitting percentage, the second best mark in SIU history, and had 232 kills (2.13 kpg). Her 88 block assists in 2001 tied former teammate Jenny Noel for the tenth-best single season performance at SIU and she led the Salukis with 1.02 blocks per game and 111 blocks overall. Her career .287 hitting percentage is third best in SIU history.
"I think she can be an all-conference player if she wants to, but I won't put pressure on her to do that. She understands that we need her to be a force on this team and put up some big numbers to fullfill her role. She spent extra time this summer working and is taking her final season seriously. She is a quiet contributor and I hope that she gains the respect of the league this season with another great season," added Locke.
Outside hitter Tara Cains is a returning starter, who adds experience in addition to her 239 kills (2.23 kpg), the second-best hitting percentage (.235) among regulars, 23 aces and 183 digs (1.71 dpg). She was second with 72 block assists and 38 assists last season. She was third with 80 total blocks (.75 bpg). She started all 30 matches and 107 of 109 games.
Qiana Nelson, an outside hitter, is also a returning starter. She began the 2001 season with an injury, yet still added 165 kills (2.58 kpg), 46 digs and 16 blocks in limited playing time. The senior is SIU's best leaper and will be healthy entering the 2002 season.
Junior Kelly Harman, an outside hitter, started when Nelson didn't start and played in 23 matches, finishing the year with 141 kills (2.31 kpg), 44 digs and 16 blocks. She will look for more playing time as well in 2002.
The key to the Salukis season could be the setting job, which will be a competition between junior Britten Follet and freshman Michelle Pagnano. Follett was the starting setter to open the 2000 season before she was injured in the third match and missed that season as well as the 2001 campaign. She hopes to be at full strength to compete with Pagnano.
"Follett played in the spring and is still making strides to get 100%. She stayed over the summer to train and it appears that she has recovered completely. It's important for us to have Britten's experience on the team at setter. She hasn't had a lot of playing time the last two years, so we hope this summer's training and preseason practice pays off," said Locke.
The final starting spot is up for grabs. Junior defensive specialist Lisa Ciucci (76 digs, 13 aces) missed part of last season due to an illness and will play more now that she is healthy. Sophomore defensive specialist Erica Miller (30 aces, 121 digs), who played in all 30 matches and 104 of 109 games last year, will look to get even more playing time. Seniors Amber Britton (OH) and Yoko Hattori (DS), sophomores Linsey Jasper (OH) and Carrie Shephard (MB) and freshman Marissa Washington (MB) will also look to contribute in 2002. Shephard and Washington will compete for the number two middle blocker spot and a good chunk of playing time.
"Our biggest questions are who the setter and second middle blocker will be and we hope to know that early in the season," stated Locke.
The SIU season starts with the Southwest Texas State Bobcat Classic on the schedule. The five-team tournament includes SEC foe Mississippi State and will give the Salukis a chance to get off to a good start with the six seniors leading the way.
"I think our overall schedule will be as competitive as last year and the MVC schedule will be tough as usual. Our non-conference will start with a tournament at Southwest Texas and even though it won't include any league champions, we'll play some competitive teams from good leagues. Our goal is to have a very strong pre-conference so that when we reach our MVC matches we are playing at midseason form, and with the seniors that is possible," Locke added.
Although Locke has twelve players returning to the team, she will look to a new coaching staff of Matt Affolder and Lenika Vazquez to help the Salukis reach the postseason. Affolder comes from Indiana State while Vazquez is a former Saluki player for Locke and a head coach at Carbondale High School.
"Anytime you have a change in staff it will have an effect and I'm confident that both Matt and Lenika will help me take this team to the competitive level we would like to reach. I think the players are satisfied with what they both bring to the program. They both have experience in the MVC which will help our program," Locke stated.
The Salukis were picked eighth in the MVC Coaches Preseason Poll but with six seniors and six athletes that started matches last year, coach Sonya Locke and her senior class are looking to make their mark and earn a post-season berth in 2002.
