Ladyjacks Hit the Road to Open 2005 Season
8/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 25, 2005
NACOGDOCHES - The Ladyjack volleyball team is set to return to the court to open the 2005 season in Houston at the Houston Tournament on Saturday, and after being named the preseason favorite in the Southland Conference Coaches' Poll, head coach Debbie Humphreys and her team are ready to get this season underway.
"We're ready to play. We're going to be tested early," said Humphreys. "They're going to be two very challenging matches, which are exactly what we need to get underway. But it'll really give us a chance to really see where we are up to this point."
Entering her 18th season as head coach, Humphreys has 10 returnees to her 2005 squad, including five starters.
"Players we were really counting on to come take care of business have done that and prepared very well in the off-season, which was pleasing," said Humphreys.
Three All-SLC honorees made their way back to SFA for the 2005 season, including 2004 SLC Freshman of the Year, JJ Jones. She finished out her rookie season with 67 kills, 1,244 assists, 226 digs and 69 total blocks. She is also currently seventh in career assists at SFA.
"JJ came in ready to play at a whole new level completely different from where she came her freshman year," said Humphreys. Jones has also been named to the 2005 Preseason All-SLC team, together with juniors Laura Cramer and Stephanie Figgers.
"Cramer stayed here all summer and you can tell she's been in the gym working," said Humphreys, "Stephanie Figgers really hasn't skipped a beat either."
Figgers earned the SLC Libero of the Year award after setting the SFA single-season record with 620 digs and 5.39 digs per game average and recorded the SFA single-match record with 41 digs against Sam Houston State.
Three freshmen, Lauren Railey, Ashley Bailey, and Shelley Swendig, have also been thrown into the mix for this season. Railey, a native of McKinney, has earned herself a spot on the starting lineup for the Ladyjacks.
"Lauren Railey has adapted very quickly," said Humphreys. "She will be starting in the outside hitter position. She's getting up, hitting the ball real well right now."
After preseason workouts, Humphreys has her starting lineup set with Jones as the setter, Railey, Cramer, and senior Lauren Stevens in the outside hitter positions and sophomore Traci Rohde will join senior Amelia Mayeaux in the middle spots.
"Amelia is playing the best ball of her career which is fun to watch as a senior," Humphreys said.
After earning a share of the conference crown in 2004 with a 26-6 overall record and a 17-3 conference record, the SLC Coaches' Poll has picked the Ladyjacks to do it again in 2005.
"If nothing else it shows the respect that other teams have for us," Humphreys said about the poll, "You know people are gunning for you and they show up to play."
Humphreys notes, however, that there are some strong teams in the SLC, mentioning Texas State, Texas-San Antonio and Texas-Arlington as fellow contenders.
"There are just some good teams out there...and every team has their threats," she said.
"But this team has very high expectations. They're a very confident team and they're not afraid to work; they're going to do whatever it takes to find a way to get it done this season."
The Ladyjacks open up the regular season on Saturday with a 1 p.m. match against Houston followed by a 6 p.m. match against Wichita State. Their home opener will be on September 20 against UTSA at William R. Johnson Coliseum. That match is slated for 7 p.m.
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