Bearcat Volleyball
Southwest Baptist University

The 2002 Bearcat volleyball team will be graced with new faces and youth. But second year head coach Mark Pryor is excited about the potential his new squad holds.

“There will be a definite youth movement with this team,” Pryor said. “The top portion of our conference contains nationally-ranked opponents. For us to compete, not even to win, but just to compete at that level, we had to change recruiting philosophy. We had to become much more aggressive in recruiting and widen our scope.”

And change they did. The 2002 version of SBU volleyball has seven returning players from last year’s squad, six of which come from the state of Missouri. Pryor brought in five new players, and only one comes from the Show-Me state. Pryor’s top recruits hail from the states of Texas, Colorado, and the island nation of Barbados.

“With the new rally-scoring format, we needed athletes who were comfortable with that format because they have played in the club system for some time,” Pryor said. “This is more like a first-year program with this new recruiting class.”

Three seniors return to the 2002 squad, including Keri Cochran, Lindsay Johnson and Rebecca Berman. Cochran was second on the team last season with 305 kills and led the team with 35 service aces. She also had 305 digs and 63 total blocks for the Bearcats.

Among the newcomers is Kristanella Allain, who has experience on the Barbados national team, and Monica Martinez, who hails from Houston, Texas, and played for the nationally recognized Texas Tornados volleyball Club. Candace Zane, who comes to SBU from a highly competitive volleyball region in Denver , Colo., and Devon Watts, the squad’s tallest player at 6’1 hails from Somerville, Texas and rounds out Pryor’s top recruits for this upcoming season.

The Bearcat run a 5-1 system. However systems can change depending on who is on the roster.

“Often systems depend on the personnel available,” Pryor said. “We will be able to do things this year we couldn’t last season. Hopefully in 2003, we will be able to do more thing than we will be able to do this year.”

Pryor believes that in order to climb up the MIAA ladder, the Bearcats will have to become more diverse offensively.

“I belive that becoming more diverse is more of a probability than a possibility,” Pryor said.

Also new this season will be the libero (LEE-bah-ro), a designated back-row player who is intended to be a ball-control specialist. This player will be easily identifiable, as the libero’s jersey must have a contrasting color from the rest of the team’s jerseys. This player can enter the match at any time with unlimited substitution, but must be replace by the player for whom she entered the game.

The 2001 Bearcat volleyball team had a tough season. However, they and opponent coaches noticed a progression all throughout the season. Pryor hopes that progression will continue through 2002.

Despite its 0-32 record in 2001, the Bearcat volleyball team was picked to finish eighth of nine teams in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

“While the record looked extremely rough, the girls noticed progress, on the court and in the weight room. They are looking forward to this year and the possibility of becoming a competitive, and even more importantly, respected program in the MIAA and the region.”

Here is a closer look at the Bearcats:

Outside Hitters – The 2002 team has a possibility of eight outside players this fall. Last year’s team included only three. “Needless to say, all that depth will help us in practice by it being much more competitive,” Pryor said. “Hopefully that competitive nature in practice will transfer to matches.” Look for freshman Monica Martinez (5-11), along with transfer Christanella Allain (5-11) to compete for time right away.

Middles – Last year’s most effective opposite, Keri Cochran (5-9), will transfer to the middle in 2002. According to Pryor, Cochran had a great off-season and a great summer working out. “She was No. 2 on our team in kills last year,” Pryor said. “She has played middle before and with our improved ball control, we should be able to get the ball to her more
this season.”

Allain could also see time in the middle. Her blocking should help the Bearcats compete right waway. “She gives us a speed advantage we didn’t have last year.”

Returnering sophomore Tammy Crawford (5-9) will also compete for playing time at middle. Pryor believes her learning curve will continue to go up because she will be pushed on a day-to-day basis by the other middles. Also look for freshman Devon Watts (6-1) to make quick contributions to the team.

Opposites – Because of the new roster, Pryor will have options at the opposite position this season. There are a
possiblity of several athletes who can play opposite this season. Returner Jennifer Corbett (5-7) will push for playing time right away.

Setters – The setters this fall will be younger than in the past, however their experience is crucial. “These girls bring a wealth of experience into the gym with them,” Pryor said. “I see two-time all-state selection Tasha Shores (5-6) competing with incoming freshman Candace Zane (5-6) for the starting role.” Pryor said long term, he sees Devon Watts (6-1) as a future setting option for SBU.

Liberos – With the new addition of the libero this season in NCAA volleyball, fans could see returning senior Lindsay Johnson (5-9) playing an important role due to her effecitiveness in service receive. “Lindsay played all the way around this past year, but I really believe she will be more effective in this role so she can key on her strengths in serve receive and defense,” Pryor said. Returning sophomoe Ashley King (5-5) and incoming freshman Tasha Shores (5-6) will also compete for time at this position.