CHADRON – With a new, enthusiastic coach leading the way and four seniors and a pair of juniors who possess lots of experience on the roster, the Chadron State College volleyball team will open the season this weekend by playing four matches in a tournament hosted by Northern State University of Aberdeen, S.D.
The Eagles will open against the host Northern State Wolves at 12:30 p.m. Friday and play Missouri Western at 4:30. Saturday, they'll tangle with Black Hills State at 10 a.m. and meet Minot State of North Dakota at 2 p.m.
Although the Eagles have not fared well in recent years, there is lots of optimism. The veterans have dedicated themselves to reversing the team's fortune, worked extra hard during the offseason to be in excellent physical condition and have enthusiastically absorbed coach Janel Baily's strategies.
Baily says the Eagles need to shore up the defense and is reminding them that after making one good play—such as an outstanding dig or block—they must continue playing hard to earn a point.
Northern State, the Eagles' first opponent, graduated the top four hitters from last year's 13-14 team, but returns setter Morgan Richardson who handed out 1,013 assists a year ago. Coach Brent Aldridge says the Wolves are young, but more athletic this fall.
Missouri Western also returns its setter, Stephanie Hattey, who had 1,214 assists a year ago when the Griffons were 14-17. There are just two seniors on the roster. Sophomore Meredith McCormick is the only returnee among the team's six kill leaders last fall. She had 161.
Two of CSC's five victories last fall were against Black Hills State. The Yellow Jackets were 11-21 overall and, like Missouri Western, have only two seniors. One of the seniors, 5-11 Kylee Lamb, and a junior, 6-1 Caitlin Templeton, are capable hitters who have returned.
Minot State was 18-16 in 2011, but also was hit hard by graduation. There are just one senior, two juniors and three sophomores on the roster. The leaders include Jen Dixon, a 5-9 junior, who had 509 kills a year ago.
Chadron State will also play Minot on Sept. 7 at the Black Hills State Tournament in Spearfish.
The Eagles won't have a home match until Sept. 28 and 29 when Colorado Christian and Colorado Mines visit.
