SFA Volleyball 2013 Preview: Outside Hitters
8/27/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug 27, 2013
OUTSIDE HITTERS
Returning: Jill Ivy, Tori Bates, Keeley Kainer
Newcomers: Madison Martin, Kaitlyn Granger
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack volleyball team will look to preseason All-Southland Conference outside hitters Jill Ivy and Tori Bates to spearhead the outside in 2013.
Ivy and Bates are joined by Keeley Kainer, transfer Madison Martin and freshman Kaitlyn Granger at the outside hitter position.
"We couldn't be more excited to have Ivy and Bates back," SFA head volleyball coach Debbie Humphreys said. "Ivy has had a great preseason and Tori has as well. They are both players who are progressing to the point, that now we can count on them to do more than just hit the ball. We looked to them for a lot of offense and a lot of blocking before, where now they have matured to a point and progressed in their game to where they are more six-rotation options that can pass and play defense. They both have the all around game and bring a threat offensively from both the front row and the back row."
Ivy delivered on a preseason selection, earning first team All-SLC honors and an SLC All-Tournament team selection at the end of the 2012 season. The Katy, Texas, native, appeared in all but two sets across the 36-match season. Ivy led the team and finished sixth in conference with 400 kills, averaging 3.03 per set, and second on the squad with 96 blocks as a sophomore. The outside hitter recorded 10 kills or more in 26 of the 34-match season.
Bates made an immediate impact as a freshman, appearing in all but five sets. The Allen, Texas, native, led the team with 42 services aces, finished second with five double-doubles and third on the team in both kills (301) and digs (255).
In addition to the two preseason players, Humphreys can turn to Granger, a four-year letterwinner at Arlington High School. Granger was a Texas Girls' Coaches Association all-star and District 4-5A MVP as a senior.
"Granger has really been impressive during preseason," she said. "Her volleyball IQ is phenomenal. She knows her way around the court. She's a tremendous athlete and a great jumper with great quickness. She's a very solid left side hitter."
Aug. 27 - Middle Blockers/Outside Hitters
Aug. 28 - Setters
Aug. 29 - Liberos/Defensive Specialists
-SFA-
