Ladyjack 2008 Preview: Outside Hitters
8/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 15, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -Without question, the most experience and firepower for the Ladyjacks will come from the outside, particularly senior co-captains Lauren Railey and Shelly Swendig.
"We will look to our two seniors - Lauren Railey and Shelly Swendig - to do a lot," Humphreys said. "Lauren is a returning all-conference performer, and I expect her to pick up where she left off, while I really see Shelly coming into her own and taking on much more of a leadership role this year. She definitely has the ability to be an all-conference performer too."
Railey has earned conference accolades in each of her first three years as a Ladyjack, including All-SLC First Team honors last season. She enters her senior year already ranked in the school's top 10 in digs, kills and attacks after becoming only the fifth Ladyjack to ever accumulate 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in a career. Although she is most potent on the offensive side, Railey also became a force at the net in 2007 as she came in third on the team with a career-best 84 blocks - 22 more than her previous career high.
Swendig is arguably the most underrated player in the SLC over the past two seasons, having played alongside a bevy of all-conference performers and put up steady numbers all the while. With that being said, 2008 could be a breakout year for the senior from Garland, Texas. She was third on the Ladyjacks in kills last season only behind Rohde and Railey, and her overall block total of 108 was the second highest on the squad.
The only other returnee with experience is Kelsey Owens, a 5-10 sophomore from The Colony, Texas, who had more kills (208) than any other non-starter for the Ladyjacks. Humphreys feels as though she is beginning to understand what is needed to be a solid outside hitter at the Division I level.
Humphreys also has a pair of newcomers on the outside in freshmen Amber Williams-Roberts and Sydney Ellis. Williams-Roberts used her outstanding leaping ability to play primarily in the middle in her prep career, but the 5-9 freshman from Richardson, Texas, will take her athleticism to the outside at SFA. Ellis will come in an provide some depth for the Ladyjacks as well, bringing a big swing and a knack for timely shots along with her. school and club days, and Humphreys says she could see time not only as a setter and outside hitter as a Ladyjack, but also in a ball-control roll.
August 13 - Setters
August 15 - Outside Hitters
August 19 - Middle Blockers
August 22 - Liberos
-SFA-
