Bringing back seven returners and adding some new talent through freshman and transfers, the 2009 Concordia volleyball season should be a dandy.
The Tornados finished the year at 10-18 in 2008, including a record of 6-12 in conference play. Some could argue that the Tornados were at a disadvantage last season seeing as how they only had one true home game due to the unfinished fieldhouse at the new campus. They're not letting anything stand in their way this season as they look to improve on last year's mark.
Concordia head coach April Birdsong is excited about the key returners this season and at the same time looking forward to seeing how her newly acquired transfers and freshman perform. Birdsong is setting the bar high for her squad and believes that a post season berth is achievable.
“We have a lot of young girls coming back that were starters because we started three freshmen last year, so as sophomores they are playing like veterans,” Birdsong said. “We have a really nice and talented freshman class coming in, so I'm expecting them to push each other quite a bit. We are very young and very talented so I'm looking forward to a positive season and looking to make it to the playoffs this year.”
The only senior on the team, outside hitter #Carrie Fisk# looks to lead the Tornados this season. Fisk is coming off a great junior season in which she played 104 sets and tallied 302 kills to go along with 266 digs.
“Carrie is exactly what you think of when think of an outside hitter,” Birdsong said. “She has a strong arm and can put the hammer down but is smart enough to hit shots when she needs to and can play all the way around both offensively and defensively. She's just a great kid and a great leader and always makes the right choice.”
Sophomores #Kevyn Jackson# and #Kalynn White# hope to improve on their freshman seasons by playing key roles for the Tornados this year. Jackson appeared in 90 sets last season in which she recorded 232 kills and 149 digs.
“Kevyn stepped up as a freshman last year and was another of our premier outside hitters,” Birdsong said. “She is a natural leader and is very positive with her teammates and will be valuable during the season.”
White is coming off a season in which she played in 86 sets and recorded 102 kills and 60 digs.
“Kalynn is extremely athletic and valuable to the team as a middle blocker,” Birdsong said. “She is capable of shutting down six-foot middles and is an overall powerful force for us.”
Sophomore returners #Erica Pollack# and #Haley Phillips# will also add key experience. Pollack looks to improve on her 10 kill, 37 dig season, while Phillips will try her hand at being the lead setter for the Tornados.
Sophomore transfer #Holland Dunham# adds some crucial height to the team. Standing at 6-1, she will definitely help the Tornados as a middle blocker this season.
“She brings more height to our team than we have had in a long time,” Birdsong said.
Junior transfer #Sara Painter# will supply some more power in the middle and add depth as well.
Freshmen #Ashley Fernandez# and #Amanda Affolter# are both likely to see ample playing time this season at outside hitter.
“They both have amazing power on the outside, can also play right side and both have really good hands which make them valuable at either position,” Birdsong said. “They both have impressed me in the preseason.”
Freshman #Bianca Martinez# will look to get some time at the setter position this season.
“She is very athletic and strong defensively,” Birdsong said. “She is the strongest serve-receive setter that I have ever seen so we can easily use her as a defensive specialist as well.”
The Tornados begin their 2009 campaign on Sept. 2 in a non-conference match at No. 12 Trinity in San Antonio. Concordia will host its first home match on Sept. 18 against Hardin-Simmons.
