2004 Women’s Volleyball Outlook
Piper Volleyball Looks Ready for Coming Season
(August 26, 2004) Batesville, AR – The 2004 volleyball season is set to get underway next week at Lyon College. Coach Justin Dee enters his first year at the helm of the team and envisions great things from this relatively young team. “We have a strong team coming back from last year,” states Dee. “We only lost one starter from last season, and our newcomers look primed to pick up where we left off.”
The lone Lady Piper starter that was lost to graduation was Kim Ricker. The ladies put together a 20-12 season and advanced to the conference tournament in 2003. Key returnees are: Senior All-Conference Outside Hitter Ceca Brckalo (Pale, Bosnia), Senior setter Yllen Rosales (Port Neches, TX), Junior All Conference Libero Susie Harper (Pocahontas, AR), and Alison Sablick (SO,OH, Plano, TX). “I think the leadership of our upperclassmen is going to make our season great,” remarks Dee. “Yllen and Ceca are as good as they get in setting the tone for intensity in practice, and Susie and Alison are great motivators. They keep us held together as a team.”
Also, returning from last season are two dynamic Sophomores Alison Boone (Cabot, AR) and Madeline Homer (Texas City, TX). “Alison is developing into one of our ‘go-to’ players. Her arm swing and her snap are putting balls away. Madeline is also going to be a great help in the front row. She is versatile and can help out in almost any position. She will help to solidify our block along the front line.”
Coming back to the team after helping to lead the Piper golf team to a Tran South Golf championship is Junior setter Chelsea Gilliam (West Plains, MO). “Yllen has great hands, but having Chelsea decide to come back has been a great plus to our group of setters. Chelsea averaged nearly 8 assists per game last season. With those numbers, and a desire to make her teammates better, Chelsea is a key ingredient to a successful season.”
Lyon Volleyball welcomes two newcomers into the family this season, Freshman Middle Blocker Daria Paunovic (Pale, Bosnia) and local Prep Standout, Freshman Kandace Strickland (Batesville, AR). “Daria brings strength to the middle of our offense. She has been sidelined with an ankle injury for nearly all of preseason, but she will be coming back before our first match. Her aggressive and disciplined play will bring our offense to a new level. She will make an immediate impact on our program. Kandace is a true student of the game. She has great athletic talent, but is fairly new to volleyball. She has explosive approach jumps, and with a little more work, will be bring the house down with her swing. Once Kandace comes into her potential, she will be making a tremendous impact in our blocking and offensive schemes.”
“Overall, I am looking for this team to improve on last year’s success and begin a process of building a winning tradition here at Lyon. There is no limit to what this team can accomplish if they put their minds and hearts together.”
Lyon opens up their schedule on Thursday, Sept. 2 at home against Philander Smith College. The match is scheduled to begin at 7pm.
Lyon College Volleyball Mission Statement
“The Lyon College Volleyball team strives to uphold the ideals of our institution; honor, integrity, and responsibility. We pledge to obtain our success through dedication, passion, and perseverance. Our love and respect for one another and the game unify our hearts, minds, and talents, to accomplish our goals.”