2012 'Roo Volleyball Season Preview

Last season the Austin College volleyball team finished third in the regular season in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, but after a disappointing finish in the conference tournament the 'Roos return a vast amount of experience along with a large crop of newcomers and are hoping to make a much deeper run in the postseason in 2012. 

The 'Roos finished the year with an overall record of 25-13 and will be forced to replace two-time SCAC Player of the Year runner-up Jessica Fleming this season, but head coach Ed Garza returns six starters, all either seniors or juniors, and welcomes 10 new faces to give him one of his largest squads in years. The 'Roos face a much altered conference slate this year as well with the split of the old SCAC, but national powers Colorado College, Southwestern University and Trinity University remain along with the 'Roos, while the University of Dallas enters its second season in the SCAC and Centenary College joins for the upcoming year.

Garza expects a lot from his upperclassmen, led by seniors Kelly McDaniel, Nita Kavouspour and Adrienne Reynolds. This is the most experienced team in several years, as returning juniors Shelby Eaves, Rebekah Newberry and Allison Ahlberg also return in starting roles, while fellow junior Shelbie Monkres is expected to help fill the hole left by Fleming. 

McDaniel enters her second season as the team's setter after averaging 9.37 assists per set last season, and Garza believes her improved confidence will help her put together another outstanding season. Reynolds earned All-Conference honors last season after averaging 5.68 digs per set, and is poised to have a huge senior campaign from her libero position. Kavouspour missed much of last year with an injury, but is fully healthy now and will once again start at outside hitter. 

Eaves earned SCAC Newcomer of the Year honors as a freshman in 2010, and this season Garza expects her to take her performance up a notch and be one of the most productive players on the team. Last season she averaged 2.89 kills per set, second best on the team. Ahlberg added 1.87 kills per set and Newberry had 1.61 kills per set and 92 total blocks. 

Several newcomers are expected to contribute immediately, including transfers Madeline Brinkley and Erika Valek, as well as freshmen Alyson Hicks and Reygan Holloman. Valek comes to Austin College from Italy, but was a high school teammate of Ahlberg's in Colorado Springs, while Brinkley is expected to be one of several defensive specialists battling for playing time. Through the opening week of fall camp, Garza has been extremely impressed with his defensive specialists, any of the group could step in and make an impact immediately. Along with Brinkley, other defensive specialist newcomers include freshmen Alyssa Pruett, Rachel Fusselman, Natalia Canales and Payton Connot. 

The 5-11 Holloman is pushing for immediate playing time as a middle, thanks in large part to having the highest vertical leap on the team. Garza believes she can be an impact player immediately. 

The 'Roos face a daunting schedule in 2012, facing six schools who made it to the NCAA tournament a season ago, along with eight schools the program has never before faced. While the team enters into a new version of the SCAC this year, the 'Roos will still be squaring off against former conference members Birmingham-Southern, Rhodes, Hendrix, and Centre during the season. Still, the combination of talent, experience, and depth should give coach Garza the type of team that can make a serious push for the conference championship in 2012.