2009 Volleyball Season Preview

After a successful first season on the Trojans' bench, Trevecca volleyball coach Jayme Crowley now enters the 2009-2010 season with high expectations for the team. "I think this year we will hold ourselves to a higher standard," Crowley noted. "There is no better motivator than getting a taste of success like we did at the TranSouth tournament last season, and I think that will help push this year's team."

The Trojans return four seniors to the mix for 2009-2010, two who have played four years at Trevecca and two who joined the program last season as juniors. Kaley Ward, Kimi Coffey, Jessica Hood, and Rachel Spotten all begin their final year of eligibility this fall, and all will be looked to for leadership. "All four of those girls have the ability to lead by example," said Crowley, "but we need them to go above and beyond that and become more vocal leaders as well."

"One thing we do need to improve is the use of our time in the pre-season," Crowley said. "Last year we had to do a lot of conditioning work early and it meant we didn't have as much time to focus on some of the tactical elements of our game. This season it seems like the girls have been working harder over the summer and that will help us when it comes time to begin preparing for the season this fall."

In addition to the four seniors, the Trojans will bring back four other players from the 2008-2009 squad. Brooke Cannon and Jennifer Peterson return for their junior seasons, while Kristen Evans and Halley Wiggins come back as sophomores.

Evans and Wiggins each saw significant time on the court for the Trojans last year, and Crowley believes this makes them even more dangerous in 2009-2010. "You can't replace game experience," she noted, "and those two girls got a lot of that during their freshman season." Cannon missed most of last season, and Crowley has noticed a difference in her approach this summer. "She has been really hungry to get back out there," said Crowley, "and it has shown in her workouts this summer." Peterson struggled to find a place in the Trojans' scheme a year ago, and this season Crowley sees a position change as being in Peterson's best interests. "Jen will move to the right side for us," Crowley stated. "She has explosive leaping ability and she's a good blocker, which will help us build depth on that side of the front line."

Six new players enter the mix for the Trojans in 2009-2010. The Trojans bring in two juniors - Teegan Hunziker (5'9" - Milford, Iowa) and Cortney Keagle (6'0" - Oakwood, Ill.) - and four freshmen - Maddie Burford (5'11" - Franklin, Tenn.), Cassidy Watkins (5'9" - Tucson, Ariz.), Casey Kania (5'7" - Columbia, S.C.), and Haley White (5'4" - Arlington, Tex.).

Hunziker - an all-American at Iowa Lakes Community College - joins the Trojans and is expected to make an immediate impact. "Teegan is a natural athlete," said Crowley. "She has a tremendous work ethic and that will help push the other girls on the team." Watkins and Kania will also provide depth on the outside, as both will have the opportunity to challenge for a spot on the floor, with Kania and White also getting some reps at defensive specialist.

Burford comes to Trevecca from Centennial High School in Franklin, Tenn. She will push for playing time right away. "We got ourselves a jewel in Maddie Buford," Crowley stated. "She is a great blocker, she is strong, and she's extremely intelligent on the floor." Keagle will also battle for time in the middle. "Cortney's work ethic is her biggest strength. You always know what she's going to give you on the court," said Crowley.

The schedule will be considerably more difficult for the Trojans this year, and it is because Crowley believes in testing her team as much as possible. "I believe that in order to be the best, you have to play and beat the best," said Crowley. "It's really as simple as that." The Trojans will play several tough road matches, including participating in tournaments at Georgetown College and Lindenwood University, which are traditionally strong volleyball programs. The Trojans will host the TranSouth tournament in 2009, and Coach Crowley wants her team to be ready to defend their home court. "I don't think it's unrealistic to think we can finish in the top 3 in the regular season," she said, "but I want us to be playing our best ball when the tournament comes to our home court."