August 21, 2007

LAURINBURG, N.C.—After improving by 16 games last season, the St. Andrew Presbyterian College volleyball team looks to build on last years success and continue to move up the ranks in the Carolinas Conference and in the Atlantic Region.

Third year head coach Dan Kreiger turned around a Lady Knights volleyball program that only won three matches in 2005 by finishing with a .500 record in 2006 at 19-19.

“We want to play high energy and inspired volleyball and continue to build on our improvement from last year,” said Kreiger.

The ’07 St. Andrews roster features eight letterwinners and five freshmen while only losing three graduates to bring this years total to 13 Knights. Kreiger returns four starters from last season and four reserves that have a combined 391 games worth of experience at SAPC.

This year’s squad features a 2006 All-CVAC selection in outside hitter Lindsey Stansbury and the 2006 CVAC Freshman of the Year in middle blocker Galina Podolsky. Erin Haugen played in every game for the Knights last year as the teams’ libero while outside hitter Tara Lemieux started 37 matches.

“We will be consistent this year with all of these players back in their same positions,” stated Kreiger.

Jaime Hayes saw significant time last year as a defensive player but will be stepping into a new role this season, becoming the primary setter. Outside hitter Liz Windham and defensive specialist Dani Ghramm bring veteran leadership to the team as two of the Knights most experienced players at St. Andrews while middle blocker Tyler Lee gained valuable experience in her first year at SAPC last season.

Kreiger plans on defense being the foundation to the Knights success just like last year. St. Andrews finished 2006 ranked second in NCAA Division II with 22.75 digs per game. Haugen is the anchor to the Knights back row ranking No. 22 in the nation with 5.70 digs/game.

“We are a defensive team that needs to have good ball control and a strong serve receive,” added Kreiger.

SAPC will also try and continue to attack the ball well. The Lady Knights ranked second in the conference last year in both assists (12.16 APG) and kills (13.36 KPG) but need to improve on a team .151 hitting percentage.

As the team progresses forward, Kreiger will look for the team to improve on both their blocking and serving from ’06. The Knights ranked dead last in blocking last year but added height to this season’s lineup should help. While SAPC ranked 40th in the nation in service aces (2.39 aces/game), the team still committed more service errors than aces.

Kreiger’s 2007 recruiting class consists of five true freshmen. The Knights gain valuable height on the front row with six-foot, two-inch middle blocker Leah Davison (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) and five-foot, 11-inch outside hitter Kelly Williams (Laurel, Md.). Kreiger added even more depth on ‘D’ with two talented defensive specialists in Katie Lovett (Concord, N.C.) and Janlique Vazquez (Kissimmee, Fla.). Completing a rookie class of five players that will all be competing for valuable playing time as freshmen is setter Emily Grady (Morganton, N.C.).

“We have a well rounded group of recruits and they fit our program very well,” boasted Kreiger. “We addressed the needs we had and added depth at other positions. All five will compete for court time. This class will help continue to lead to the annual improvement of the program.”

Haugen, a senior from Fort Mill, S.C., is the only three-year St. Andrews letter winner and will provide the backbone on the team with over 1,400 career digs.

“Erin is the best libero in the conference and the anchor to our defense,” commented Kreiger. “She creates a lot of opportunities for us to score points and expect her to step into more of a leadership role as a senior.”

Stansbury, a senior from Morgan City, La., returns a team-high 440 kills from last season while also providing 3.9 digs per game. Stansbury was recognized as a second team All-CVAC selection in 2006.

“We will go as Lindsey goes this season,” predicts Kreiger. “She is a primary passer and our go to outside hitter last year, and will assume the same this year. She was our team MVP last year and one of the best outsides in the conference. We need her to step up as a leader in her senior year.”

Lemieux, a senior from Panama City, Fla., was second on team behind Stansbury in total attacking attempts last year.

“Tara is the most powerful attacker I have ever coached,” expressed Kreiger. “She is stronger this year and if she improves her ball handling and all-around play, she can be an All-Conference selection. I hope she steps up as a leader and improves her overall play.”

Podolsky, a sophomore from Raleigh, N.C., is a reigning CVAC Freshman of the Year after leading the Knights with a .267 hitting percentage and 115 total blocks.

“Galina has the potential to be one of the best middles in the country,” stated Kreiger. “She is strong and attacks the ball well but needs to improve her blocking. She is vital to our success.”

Windham, a junior from Wartrace, Tenn., has played in 47 matches for the Knights in her first two seasons.

“Liz brings an unbelievable amount of energy to our team,” complimented Kreiger. “She will challenge our outsides as maybe our hardest worker on the team.”

Ghramm, a junior from Hayden, Idaho, has played in 45 matches for the Knights in a multiple of roles in her first two years.

“Dani is one of our best passers and maybe our best server,” declared Kreiger. “If she stays healthy, she will sure up our back row play and provide depth at outside hitter if we need.”

Hayes, a sophomore from Gulf Breeze, Fla., played in over 100 games as a defensive player last year.

“Jaime may be our best athlete and is going to be our projected starting setter,” remarked Kreiger. “She is determined to be the best and she worked really hard in the spring, making major improvements in her game.”

Lee, a sophomore from Hillsborough, N.C., averaged 0.6 blocks per game in her rookie season to rank second on the team.

“We wanted to red shirt Tyler last year but she improved enough that we put her into matches,” praised Kreiger. “She continues to improve and has the potential to start and be a major contributor.”

St. Andrews fans should expect those returning players and incoming freshmen to provide a memorable season in 2007.

Kreiger has set several objectives for the team that includes maintaining a high level of defense and ball control, improve the team’s blocking, see an increase in the hitters attacking percentage, and have less peaks and valleys from last year.

“We feel with our experience coming back and the incoming talent that we can compete for a conference title,” added Kreiger. “I feel that our conference is getting better as a whole. After the major improvement we made last year, we will carry that over to our goal of winning a conference championship.”

St. Andrews will compete in the newly renamed Conference Carolinas (formally the Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference), playing a full slate of 20 league matches including home and away games against each conference foe.

The Lady Knights open up the 2007 season with four games in the Lenoir-Rhyne/Moretz Sports Volleyball Invitational in Hickory, N.C. on August 24-25. SAPC will also compete in West Georgia Classic in Carrollton, Ga. on September 7-8. This years schedule also features a road trip to NCAA Division I opponent High Point University and a trio of tri-matches. The Knights play 12 games on Harris Court with the home opener slated for Wednesday, August 29th at 6:30 p.m.

“We have put together a tough out-of-conference schedule, which will help us at the end of our conference schedule and hopefully into postseason play,” concluded Kreiger.