Bolivar, Mo. - The SBU Bearcats volleyball team is coming off of a 2010 season where the Bearcats complied the most MIAA conference wins in the history of the program. Head coach Kelly Richardson has made massive improvements with the volleyball program, and expects big things out of her team this season. “Coming into the season we have a lot of new faces and a good solid group of returners,” coach Richardson commented. “We are very excited to put together the new, motivated, and excited group of kids along with the group that has laid the foundation that is already here. We expect big things out of this season, and believe this group will do a really good job.”

Richardson on the front line...
The Bearcats return three starters to the front line: Kylie Heim, Britni Reed, and Jenna Isaacs. “We expect a lot out of those three this year,” coach Richardson commented on her three returning starters. “Britni is an outside hitter who is a six rotation player who can play defensively and help our back line. She can also be an offensive option on the back and front row which is really important to us.

Jenna is going to be in a different role this year, as she will see some time in the middle, as well as returning to play some outside. We are very excited about her being able to make that transition. Ky is on the right side, and has started the last three years for us. Offensively she is a strong weapon on the front row and she also puts up a solid block. We will look for big things from her this season.

Jordan Nedbalek will be a returner for us who is in the middle, and we expect some big things out of her, as she has grown a lot in the past year and really improved. Caitlyn Muder also returns this year in the outside position. She is another player that we can utilize in all six rotations. Carrie Johnson is a very dynamic player, and one of the strongest hitters SBU has had in a long time. We are very excited to see what she can do in the front line. We also have Paige Straatmann who can mix in on outside or right side, and brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm. RoseAnne Eggan was a redshirt freshman last year who has made improvement and brings depth to our middle position. Mackynzi Gibson can hit a heavy ball and will also bring a lot of depth to our front row and defensively.

We have a lot more depth this season in our front row position, so we are excited about what our offense can do this year. We have a lot of versatile players who can do many things on our front row."

Richardson on the defense...
Defensively, the Bearcats return starter Alyx Glover. “Glover is returning senior who did a good job for us defensively last year, and we look for her to be a big contributor to our defense. Kristi Hager is a transfer who is one of the quickest players we have and defensively is very strong. We also look for her to be a big part of our defense. Kelsey Beyer is returning, and has had a lot of improvement since her freshman year, and will provide us depth at that position.

We also have Whitney Nixon who is a freshman training to become a DS. She primarily set in high school, so that is a new role for her, and she is doing an exceptional job stepping into that position. Shelby Gordon will be redshirting this year, and we will be focusing her on the defensive position as well. We also have a lot of depth defensively this year.
Richardson on the setting...

“We have two new setters this year, transfer Whitney Miller and freshman Kelsey Fankhauser. Both are doing an exceptional job. They both put up a really good ball, have good leadership ability, and run the floor really well. They are both going to push for our setting position, and will provide us depth in that role as well.

Richardson on the coaching staff...
The Bearcats have one major change to their coaching staff, the addition of a new full-time assistant. “We are definitely very excited about Sarah Brannock coming on as a full-time assistant,” coach Richardson exclaimed. “This is the first time in the history of the program that we have a full-time assistant. This is a huge step for our program, and evidence that we are taking steps in the right direction. Sarah does an exceptional job, is one of the hardest workers, and is very dedicated to this program. She is a mental, physical, and spiritual leader that this program really needs.”

The Bearcats also add graduate assistant Lisiane Matsdorff. “We are excited about Lisi joining us, as she brings a lot of great experience from Brazil. She is very motivated and brings a lot energy to our coaching staff. Overall we are really excited about our staff. We have an exceptional group of coaches that really work well together.”

Richardson on the upcoming season...
This year the Bearcats will display possibly the most versatile, athletic, and deepest team in the history of SBU volleyball. “This is an exceptionally athletic team,” Coach Richardson commented. “We are very strong in every spot which is very exciting. Having that versatility this year will be very important for our program.”

The Bearcats will open up their season tomorrow, September 2, when they travel to Canyon, Texas for the West Texas Lady Buff Classic.

MIAA play for the Bearcats begin during their opening home tournament on September 9 in Bolivar. “We are very ready to see where we will fall in the conference this year,” Coach Richardson commented on the upcoming season. “We lost some big starters, and our preseason polls acknowledged that. We were voted at ninth and are ready to get started and show everyone what we can do. I know the girls are excited, and ready to get going.”