Volleyball | 8/23/2016 10:10:00 AM

Tuesday - Setters and Right Side Hitters
Wednesday - Outside Hitters and Middles
Thursday - Defensive Specialists
Friday - Schedule
 
STATESBORO, Ga. – The Georgia Southern volleyball program will look to get back to its winning ways as it begins year three in the Sun Belt Conference.

Coming off back-to-back 25-win seasons and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2013, the Eagles joined the Sun Belt in 2014 with high expectations. Injuries to three starters decimated the team in year one, and erratic, inconsistent play proved to be the Eagles' Achilles heel last season.

With five starters and all-league libero Alex Beecher back, the Eagles look to turn the corner in 2016. With a blend of 10 veterans and 10 newcomers in the gym this preseason, head coach Dustin Wood has noticed a different level of intensity and competition than in years past.

"The thing that we've noticed this year is that they are really holding each other accountable, and feelings aren't getting hurt," Wood said. "They understand that this is what we need to do to get better. They are showing signs of being direct and honest with each other and that they are out there to win."

Below is the first in a four part series previewing the 2016 season.

Right Side Hitters
The right side was the most consistent component of the offense last year, and Katie Bange and Megan Chevalier are both back to provide offensive firepower. Bange (6-foot-4) shared the setting duties and managed to hit .208 with 1.46 kills a set, while Chevalier (6-foot-3) led the team with 2.68 kills a set and hit .202.

"We have two big lefties who are kind of the bread and butter of the offense," said Wood. "It's nice to have Katie back in that role. Having 6-3 and 6-4 kids who can hammer a ball on the right side is a luxury most other programs don't have. They have the experience and they have the leadership, and we're confident about what we're going to get from that position night in and night out."

Setters
To allow his two best hitters to be on the court together as much as possible, Wood opted to have Bange play setter as well as right side last season. It was a struggle at times, but Bange seemed to find her groove towards the end of the season, and the Eagles won their final two matches heading into the conference tournament.

"She learned a lot last year and figured it out," Wood said. "At the beginning, she was kind of feeling her way, but by the end of the year, I was confident in calling her a true setter. She is picking up where she left off at the end of last year. It gives us the option to have her on the floor all the time and the option to have Chev on the floor too. We get two of our best attackers on the floor instead of one."

Sophomore Kendra Koetter and freshman Kali Cahill, who graduated high school early and was able to practice with the team in the spring, will push for playing time as the second setter. It was a tight competition in the preseason before Cahill sustained an injury. 

"Kendra worked her butt off this summer and came in ready to go," Wood said. "She finds ways to win and is always thinking of ways to attack the other side. She's been pretty creative with the ball, making really good decisions and has been really strong moving the ball pin to pin. We're waiting for Kali to return. She started showing signs of confidence and being able to throw the ball around the way we want."

The Eagles open the campaign Friday against No. 19 North Carolina at the Penn State Classic. Tomorrow, we preview the outside hitters and middles.

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