Volleyball begins preseason camp

08/09/2011 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball

Aug. 9, 2011

By Bill Ford
SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois volleyball team officially began its 2011 season Tuesday with the start of fall camp.

The Salukis held their first two practices of the year with a morning session and an afternoon session at Davies Gym. The team will practice twice daily over the next two weeks before preseason culminates with a scrimmage Aug. 20 at Davies Gym. The team will also hold a second scrimmage Aug. 24 at SIU Arena.

The Salukis embark on their seventh season under head coach Brenda Winkeler looking to make it back to the Missouri Valley Conference tournament after missing the six-team cut last year.

"We have a good core group of upperclassman returning with experience on the court," Winkeler said. "This team comes in after working very hard once again this summer to be ready physically for the challenge of a very good schedule."

A big question facing the 2011 squad is which players will replace the production that left with the 2010 senior class. Southern lost more than 600 kills and 600 digs combined with the graduation of Jennifer Berwanger and Alicia Johnson, as well as the team's top blocker in Jasmine Conner.

"One of our strengths is that they work together well and we will have a lot of competition for positions," Winkeler said. "We have a lot of depth and we need to use that to our advantage."

Setter
One of the most proven players on the 2011 roster, junior Rachael Brown will run the Saluki offense for the third consecutive season.

A 2009 MVC All-Freshman pick, Brown averaged 10.37 assists per set over the past two years while chipping in an average of 2.14 digs per set. Last season, Brown ranked fifth in the Valley in assists.

Senior Amanda Arnold and freshman Krista Menghini give the team depth at setter.

Middle Blocker
Southern lost a team-leading 104 total blocks with the graduation of Connor, but the Salukis return quality experience in junior Alysia Mayes, whom Winkeler said "has been a force the last two years in the middle."

Mayes is the team's top returning attacker after posting 191 kills last season (1.93/set) with a hitting percentage of .247. She was second behind Conner last season with 71 total blocks.

The Salukis also welcome three newcomers at middle blocker in junior college transfer Alexis Braghini and freshmen Chelsea Cunningham and Sarah James. Cunningham starts the season recovering from injuries.

"An area we will need to improve on is blocking," Winkeler said. "Assistant coach Tammi Fries will be working with our blocking, so we are hoping to make some strides in that area."

Outside Hitter/Right Side
The outside hitter and right sides took the biggest hits in graduation as the team bid farewell to Berwanger, a four-year starter and three-time All-MVC selection, along with Johnson and Sydney Clark.

Winkeler said she looks for sophomore Jessica Whitehead, who moves over from middle blocker, to pick up some of the slack. Whitehead posted 150 kills (2.17/set) and hit for a .185 clip during her freshman season.

"Jess Whitehead has increased her vertical and will be a huge offensive threat on the outside," Winkeler said.

Also back for the Salukis is junior Laura Thole, who saw action in 25 matches last season. Thole's biggest contributions came on defense last season as she finished the year with 101 digs.

"Laura Thole has gained strength in the offseason and will play a big role as an all around player," Winkeler said.

Elly Braaten, Emily Less and Arnold round out the returners on the outside while freshman Makenzie Wickert will also be in the mix.

Defensive Specialist
Southern's defensive back line will be led by the tandem of junior Bailey Yeager and sophomore transfer Caitlin Schumacher.

Yeager started the majority of matches at libero for the Salukis in 2010, posting 300 digs for an average of 3.09 per set. She starts the fall recovering from an injury, but should see plenty of action as the season progresses.

Winkeler said Schumacher has the potential to make an immediate impact on defense. The sophomore saw action at the Division I level last season at North Dakota.

"A majority of our success will depend on how well we can pass and dig," Winkeler said. "Assistant coach Peter Chang did a great job in the spring to help us on serve receive and defense. We need for that to show up this fall in order to be successful.

"We also need for everyone to play their role on the team and contribute any way they can. If we can get healthy and stay healthy that will help us to have a great season. "