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2002 Season Outlook The Lady Jackets posted a 29-14 record last year including a 17-6 mark in the American Mideast Conference as head coach Teresa Clark finished her sixth season at the helm. Most volleyball programs would be happy with eleven consecutive winning seasons, but there are loftier goals for the 2002 season at Cedarville University. The Lady Jackets return six experienced players including three seniors and will look to seven freshmen recruits to make significant contributions. Clark, who has guided Cedarville to a 174-83 record including three 30-win seasons, is guardedly optimistic about the upcoming season. "Our strength in the past has been the middle attack, but we will now spread the offense around and be much more balanced," added Clark. "I am excited about the potential to be more athletic and have a strong defense to support the various offensive weapons we will use this season." Clark will look to a pair of All-AMC honorable mention selections to lead the charge toward a AMC title in 2002. Middle hitter Melissa Holland, a 6-2 senior from Chillicothe, OH, returns to her natural position after filling an outside hitter role on the 2001 team. Holland ranked second in blocks (125) and third in kills (301) for the Lady Jackets. Setter/outside hitter Carrie Hartman, a 5-7 junior from Ft. Wayne, IN, played in every game of every match in 2001 and led the team with 1,294 assists and 421 digs.
Courtney Williams, a 5-4 defensive specialist, will anchor the Lady Jacket back row. The senior from Uniontown, PA, is the only player on the 2002 roster to have played all four seasons at Cedarville. Williams, who also played in every game of every match in 2001, led the squad in serving percentage (.974) and serving attempts (688) while ranking fifth with 291 digs. The other senior on the roster is Charissa Winburg, a 5-10 outside hitter from Beavercreek, OH. Winburg saw limited action last year, but is expected to contribute depth and add stability to the squad. Sophomores Richelle Clem and Paula Thompson return with valuable experience and will be integral parts of the 2002 team. Clem, a 5-10 outside hitter from Elkhart, IN, played in 41 of 43 matches last season and contributed 112 kills and 14 blocks. Her 315 digs ranked fourth on the team. Thompson, a 5-9 middle hitter from Solon, OH, returns to her natural position after filling the outside hitter role in 2001. She ranked third in digs (350) and serving percentage (.926) in her rookie season with the Lady Jackets while playing in 41 matches.
Seven freshman recruits will seek to contribute to the Lady Jackets in 2002. Clark is calling this her most athletic class of recruits in her seven seasons at Cedarville. "I am anxious to see how quickly our freshmen adjust to the college game. This group has so much talent and so much ability. Several of them should be able to help us immediately," commented Clark. Among the incoming freshmen are one NACA All-American, a second-team All-Ohioan, a second-team All-Pennsylvanian, and two Ohio All-District performers. Highlighting the schedule is the 15th Annual Cedarville Invitational and a demanding run through the American Mideast Conference South Division where Cedarville will play each member twice including league powers Malone, Mount Vernon Nazarene, and Walsh. The Lady Jackets host just nine other matches in the Athletic Center. | ||||||||||||||||
