June 16, 2000

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - As the 2000 school year approaches, the Samford University volleyball team is looking to build on what was a positive 1999 season. The Bulldogs finished 1999 with a 14-19 overall record starting three freshmen and two sophomores. With the graduation of just one senior, the Bulldogs will still be young but they will have had a year to grow as a team.

The 2000 roster still only has three seniors, but it is the youthful exuberance that has head coach Vickie Nichols excited about this year's team. "We have a strong nucleus coming back that has experience playing together. Our freshmen are a very talented and versatile group and this will be a tremendous asset for us this season. I am excited to see what they can produce when we put the two together."

Whiney Hansen (Marietta, Ga.), Shaliece Hall (Ft. Myers, Fla.), and Erin Maynard (Birmingham, Ala.) are the three seniors who will be counted on off the court as much as on the court for leadership. They have each earned three letters at Samford and will be called on to fill the leadership role left by the graduated Emily Sharp.

Outsides On the outside, Abby Miner (Largo, Fla.) returns for her sophomore campaign after compiling 321 kills and 387 digs as a freshman. She finished just 29 digs off the Samford single-season record last year. Senior, Maynard is expected to be healthy this season after an knee injury forced her to miss over a month of last season. She recorded 2.0 kills per game in 57 games. Newcomers Ashley Fulton (El Segundo, Calif.) and Angela Smith (Houston, Texas) along with sophomore Sheri Cook (Pinson, Ala.) will add badly needed depth to the position. Last season Miner took 994 swings from the outside, over 500 more than Maynard. With five hitters sharing the work load, coach Nichols is hoping to avoid some of the injuries from over use that occurred a year ago. "We now have depth on the outside. We had trouble last season being able to terminate a play. We are looking for our outsides to come on strong and be a huge offensive threat. We have the ability now to utilize every hitters strengths to help the team move forward."

Middles Shellie Ouldhouse (Mesquite, Texas) was last season's leading attacker for the Bulldogs with 2.92 kills per game and an attack percentage of .262. Ouldhouse, now a junior, will be expected to take on a leadership role in the middle of the floor. She will be joined by classmate Whitney Miller (Anniston, Ala.) who was second on the team with 2.85 kills per game a year ago. "I expect the bulk of the load to be carried by Shellie and Whitney. They have the experience to be good leaders and help set the pace in the middle." said Nichols. They will be joined by a pair of freshmen Stefanie Pickett (Birmingham, Ala.) and Lindsey Huether (Peachtree City, Ga.) who will be battling for their opportunity to shine. "The freshman will definitely push for playing time, they are both capable of being very good college players."added Nichols.

Right Sides: The right side of the offense will be interesting to watch this season. Hall, a back up setter a year ago, will start the season on the right side. "Shaliece Hall with her experience and versatility has a good chance to hold down the right side position. Lindsey Huether will also be excepted to step up and make a difference on the right side. Once again the depth and competition for playing time is going to be exciting to watch." says Nichols. Along with Hall and Huether, Miller also has the versatility to move to the right side if the Bulldogs want to set up a big block

Setters: Colleen Donivan (Sarasota, Fla.) had a very productive freshman season as she handed out 1,182 assists which is the fourth highest single-season total in Samford history. "I am very excited about our setters. Colleen with the experience she gained last season and her leadership abilities will make our team stronger. She has a good feel for our offense now and knows the abilities of our hitters. Donivan is expected to start the season as the number one setter. She will be pushed by freshman Krista Kettering (Dayton, Ohio) who has all the makings of an outstanding college setter. "Krista will definitely make a push for a starting spot. She has been well trained and has great court awareness." says Nichols. Kettering will need time to make freshman mistakes. Donivan's leadership will be an important factor in the development of both players. Hall will be the number three setter. She is currently tenth on Samford's career assist list.

Schedule: Four in-season tournaments and the renewal of rivalries with Auburn and Birmingham Southern highlight the 2000 volleyball schedule. The Bulldogs will open the season in Rock Hill, SC on Sept. 1-2, with the Winthrop Invitational against East Carolina, Bethune-Cookman, and Winthrop. A Sept. 15-16, tournament in Tallahassee, Fla. with Florida State, Notre Dame, and Florida A&M will give coach Nichols a good idea where her Bulldogs stand early in the season. Samford will host two tournaments this year. The first, on Sept. 8-9, will feature Belmont, UL-Lafayette, and UT-Martin. The second, on Sept. 22-23, will see Tennessee State, Troy State, and Western Carolina come to Seibert Hall. There are plenty of in-state opponents on the schedule this year. The Bulldogs will travel to Alabama on Sept. 19, UAB Sept. 26, Alabama State Oct. 17, and Jacksonville State Oct. 24. Coming to Seibert Hall will be Birmingham Southern on Sept. 11, Auburn Oct. 3, and Troy State on Senior Night Oct. 31. The match with Auburn will mark the first time the Tigers have visited Seibert Hall and will be the first time the two schools have met since 1990. Birmingham Southern and Samford have not met since before 1989.