Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Seniors Scarce On SIU Volleyball Roster
09/21/2003 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 21, 2003
By Seth Whitehead
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE - How young is the Southern Illinois University volleyball team this season?
Kelly Harman's nickname pretty much tells the story.
"They call me grandma,'' said Harman - all of 22 years of age.
The only senior on the roster, Harman is nearly two years older than the team's only two other returning upperclassmen, Erica Miller and Carrie Shephard.
Shephard turns 21 in October -- official senior citizen status amongst this group.
Jessica Roth and Kelly Katricka are juniors as well, but are in their first years of Division I competition after transferring from junior colleges.
With the exception of sophomore Marissa Washington, everyone else on the SIU roster - 11 in all - are freshman.
No wonder Harman is getting labeled old before her time.
"But I can deal with that," Harman said of the 'grandma' tag. "That's fine. I beat 'em all in sprints just the same."
The makeup of the 2003 Saluki roster is a direct 180-degree turn from last year's senior-dominated group. Harman saw six players her age graduate last May and is now the lone Saluki left who was on campus in the 1990s.
"It's different,'' Harman said of last years' seniors not being around. "I look around, you know, and you kind of forget that they're not here anymore.''
Miller and Shephard, just two years removed from freshman status themselves, have assumed senior-like leadership roles a year earlier than expected.
But, they have no complaints.
"I think it was easy for me,'' Shepard said. "I was one (a freshman) at one time and I had a lot of help from the older girls.''
"It's been kind of natural moving into a leadership position,'' Miller said, "because there was a role to fill and we're the ones to do it.''
The four returnees have taken their increased responsibility - both on and off the court - in stride.
"We all kind of knew what was going to happen this season,'' Harman said. "It was inevitable. We knew we were graduating quite a few people. So I think everybody was mentally prepared to step up and take leadership positions.
"I think everybody has done a great job so far of the four returnees that are here.''
All four returnees are also playing a lot more this season after filling part-time roles a year ago.
Harman, an outside hitter, leads the team with 105 kills. Washington and Shephard, both middle blockers, lead the team in total blocks (35) and solo blocks (6), respectively.
Miller has been a top defensive specialist/libero with a team-leading 109 digs.
"I think she (head coach Sonya Locke) definitely looks at us to make the plays," Harman said. "We have to count on a whole team effort to put the play together, but when something has to happen, she looks at one of us to make the play right then and there.''
But that doesn't mean that the freshmen aren't expected to produce. On this year's team, there is no choice.
Six freshmen have seen time in the starting lineup.
"I don't think it ever hurts to have leadership, even from the freshmen,'' Harman said. "We all look at each other as kind of being on the same page. We need freshman to be leaders on this team also. You can't just look at the seniors for everything. I think that everybody's stepped up who needs to.''
