May 23, 2000

A new millennium and a new coach have brought new expectations and goals for the 2000 Virginia Tech volleyball team. Led by first-year head coach Greg Smith, the Hokies are looking to regroup and improve on a disappointing 1999 campaign.

Tech has three starters returning, making the hopes high for a promising season. With middle blockers Christine Shubat and Cheryl Stinson and outside hitter Holly Disser all returning to the starting line-up, the Hokies are looking to make Coach Smith's first season as a head coach a memorable one.

MIDDLE BLOCKERS

Shubat led the team in blocking a year ago and returns for her junior year. The Ft. Wayne, Ind., native recorded 107 total blocks a season ago and was also a top offensive threat. Stinson returns as the team's leading attacker. The sophomore from Ottawa, Ontario, had an attack percentage of .260 last season, knocking down 183 kills in 470 attempts with just 61 errors. While expected to contribute offensively, the two must also combine to be a solid blocking duo for the Hokies this season.

Also battling for playing time will be Sarah Rogers and Jamie Meyer. Rogers, a sophomore from Marietta, Ga., played in 29 games, recording 39 kills. Rogers had a career-high 10 kills at Duquesne on Sept. 18. Jamie Meyer, a Ft. Wayne, Ind., native, is coming off a redshirt season and is one of the Hokies' strongest players.

"We have four good athletes who, with a lot of reps and playing time, will advance in their skill level a great deal this year," Smith said. "They know the game, they just need the reps. With Coach (Rani) Whitson teaching them, I think we'll see the biggest improvement from this group."

OUTSIDE HITTERS

Disser is the lone returning starter at the outside hitter position for the Hokies. The rising junior from Overland Park, Kan., had 280 kills last season, including 27 versus Northern Illinois. Disser will be expected to be one of the leaders for the Hokies this season.

Ana Lang and Candice Lahm will likely see action at this spot. Lang is one of the Hokies' best athletes who was a valuable contributor a year ago until she broke her hand. She finished her freshman campaign with 67 kills and 106 digs. Lahm is one of the Hokies' best servers who saw most of her action at the defensive specialist spot a year ago.

"We have smart players at the outside hitter position who can handle the ball well," Smith said. "We are a little bit short, height-wise, but I think we make up for that in their ability to play the game as complete players."

SETTERS

Tech has to deal with the loss of four-year starters Britton Julian. Stepping in for her at the setter position will be junior Renee Collins. Collins has experience running the offense and recorded 39 assists in her action last season. The Shawnee, Kan., native tore her ACL in spring practice but is expected to be back at full strength before the season starts.

Freshman Kelli O'Dell is expected to push Collins for playing time at the position. O'Dell is 5-10 native of Kingwood, Texas, who knows how to run an offense. When she becomes adjusted to the collegiate game, she could be an impact player.

"We have two players who know the game," Smith said. "They're two different types of players that are going to make this a very strong position for us. It's going to be interesting to see who steps up and becomes the top setter. On any given night, either one is capable of stepping in a playing."

RIGHT SIDE

The right-side position is the big question mark for the Hokies heading into the season. Tech lost starter Kristin Wright and reserve Ashley Axson, leaving the position wide open. Smith said any one of three players -Meyer, Stinson or incoming freshman Jenni Hill - will see playing time here. Hill is a 6-footer from Holland, Mich., who was a first-team all-state selection as a senior.

"We're not as deep here as we are at the other positions," Smith said. It's going to be a case where we have to wait and see what happens when fall practice opens up. Any one of those three is athletic enough to play the position, it's just a matter of getting them experience and reps."

DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS

Any one of five players could see time at the defensive specialist spot. Sophomore Kim Amos and Lahm are the two who return to the position from last year's squad. Amos, a native of Roanoke, Va., was redshirted last season but brings athleticism to the spot. Lahm played in 73 games last season, recording 89 digs. Smith also expects three walk-ons to battle for playing time.

"We're going to be fairly deep at the defensive specialist spot," Smith said. "They're going to add good ball handling to the team and will be an important part of our team."

THE OUTLOOK

The Hokies will be playing an independent schedule this season before heading into the Big East Conference next season. Tech will play home matches against George Mason, East Carolina, James Madison, Radford, Virginia, East Tennessee State and Liberty. The team also will host the Hokie Classic, featuring Marshall, North Carolina State, Appalachian State and Southwest Texas.

"The goal for us this year is to prepare us for 2001," Smith said. "This first year is going to be a transitional year where we get used to each other and the new system. It's great that we're not in a conference because there's no pressure. We want to bring back the pride and positive attitude to the program. Granted we want to win, but the wins and losses won't dictate a successful season."

The team will be a young one, with no seniors on the squad. But nine players return from last year's team, seven of who saw playing time last year.

"At the beginning of the year, we're going to have some ups and downs," Smith said. "But as we get more comfortable on the court, the consistency is going to get a lot better. We may end up having a slow start, but if we end up on a positive note, which I think we will, I'll view that as a successful one."

So with three starters returning, a new coach with a new philosophy and a solid group of underclassmen ready to step in, the pieces are in place to make Coach Smith's first season in Blacksburg a successful one.