HAMMOND - Youth will be in abundance in 2005 for Southeastern's volleyball team as eight first-year players, including six true freshmen, could see significant playing time for the Lady Lions when they open the season Friday at home in the Southeastern Invitational.
But heading into her 13th season as head volleyball coach at Southeastern, Roni Armeda Hipp is optimistic that her team - the youngest of her career - will adapt quickly to the collegiate game by following the lead of three-year letterwinner Keri Hamblin, plus veterans Erin Miles and Chelsie Cude.
"A lot of our success this season is going to depend on the play of Keri, Erin, Chelsie, Jill Edwards and Melissa Jones" Armeda Hipp said. "Because of her experience on offense and defense, we expect Keri to be our team leader.
Melissa (Jones) will have a chance to play a larger role in our offense this season as we'll move her to the outside and Erin will provide us with a defensive presence at libero."
Below is a position-by-position preview for Southeastern.
OUTSIDE HITTER
Hamblin, a three-year starter, looks to return to her 2003 form when she led Southeastern in kills per game, attacks and points. Ranking among the career leaders in school history where she's in the top-10 in attack attempts and ninth in digs, Hamblin finished second on the team in digs per game and third in kills per game in 2005.
Joining Hamblin on the outside will be Jones, who came on strong near the end of the season and finished second on the team in hitting percentage. With the move to the outside, Jones will get a chance to utilize her athleticism and increase Southeastern's offensive firepower.
Miles, who excelled as a defensive specialist in 2004, showed flashes on offense and will get an opportunity to contribute as she enters her third season in a Lady Lion uniform. Also expected to see action on the outside is returning letterwinner Megan Sutherland, who saw limited action in 2004 as a redshirt freshman, but comes off a solid spring season.
A group of freshmen - Caroline Cook, Kelsey Faulk, Emily Jordan and Brittany Pomes - will also be counted on to contribute in their first season.
Faulk, who hails from one of the top high school programs in the state of Indiana, will challenge for playing time and will be looked upon to help with serve receive as well as defense.
On the right side, Jordan and Pomes could see the majority of playing time.
Jordan, who brings a wealth of knowledge after playing club volleyball with the Houston Juniors, played primarily at middle blocker in high school and club, but will be looked to play an outside position.
Pomes, one of four Louisiana players on the roster, was an All-State selection in high school and can also play in the middle. Cook, the 2004 Small Schools Player of the Year by the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate, brings a solid club background and could see action as an outside hitter as well as a defensive specialist.
MIDDLE BLOCKER
With Jones moving to the outside and Ashley Rougeou and Jennifer Jones departing due to graduation, a trio of freshmen will get the majority of action in 2005 with redshirt LaToya Anthony being joined by newcomers Lydia Adeosun and Danielle Pegues.
After sitting out the 2004 season, Anthony was Southeastern's top blocker in the spring and looks to convert that into significant playing time in 2005.
Adeosun is expected to bring tremendous athleticism to the middle blocker position, that has been a strong area for Southeastern in recent years, and will get a chance to play immediately.
Pegues, a member of the Athletes In Motion Volleyball Club team, enters her first season as one of the tallest middle blockers the Lady Lions have had in nearly a decade.
"Blocking-wise, we are going to be young but we have the potential to be better than we have been in the past," Armeda Hipp said. "We don't have a player in the middle with the experience of an Ashley Rougeou or a Jen Jones, but once they work on their technique and footwork, I believe they can form a solid group for us."
SETTER
With the loss of two-year starter Mindie Primm after the 2003 season, the Lady Lions relied on Edwards and Cude to direct the Lady Lion offense.
By the end of the season, Edwards solidified herself as the starter finishing in the top 10 in the Southland Conference in assists and service aces. And now with a full year under her belt, Edwards looks to establish herself as one of the top setters in the SLC.
Cude, one of two seniors, joins Hamblin as a leader on the team and looks to share playing time with Edwards. Cude, who played in 26 matches for the Lady Lions in 2004 after transferring from Seward County (Kan.) Community College, could also see time as a back row specialist or libero.
LIBERO
Miles enters the 2005 campaign as a possible starter at libero after Brittany Gaydos, a third-team All-Southland Conference pick in her only season as a starter, was lost to graduation. Miles, Southeastern's third libero in as many seasons, looks to add her name to the record books following in the footsteps of all-time dig leader Sarah Gascon (2003) and Gaydos (2004).
Miles, who played in all 31 matches in 2004, spent the majority of time last season as the Lady Lions' back row specialist and fourth on the team in digs per game.
Redshirt freshman Teri Byrum, who could take over for Miles as back row specialist, Cook, Faulk or Sutherland are other possibilities at libero if Miles plays on the outside.
