Volleyball Part 1

This week I want to talk about Big South Volleyball. As you know, the Big South Volleyball Preseason Poll came out last week and that got me thinking. Now, I know most people are talking about football this time of year but here is a little love for the volleyball ladies across the league. In fact this maybe the only site where you can read a blog about Big South Volleyball from someone who is not a coach. So without any further ado, let’s look at the top four teams in the preseason poll…
Coastal Carolina is picked to win the league. Last season, the Chanticleers claimed the tournament title after placing fourth in the regular season. This is a pretty easy call and the coaches got it right. Coastal was much better than the fourth place team last year and they proved it in the tournament. They were the best team last year and, on paper, is the best team heading into this year. However, don’t underestimate the loss of setter Meagan Tracey and middle blocker Jill Nyhoff. Those were two very steady players and anytime you lose your setter the offense changes a little. But Kelsey Kimes is the best pure hitter in the league and Megan Bickford is the best returning middle in the league. Both deserve their pre-season all-conference selections and they give the Chants two excellent hitting options. Sierra Livesay will be better this year giving Coastal the best middle attack in the league. If they play to their potential each night they will win a lot of matches. However, playing to their level was sometimes a question mark last season, which is why they finished fourth. They need to be more consistent but they are still my top pick because when they play well, they are very good.
Personally, I think Liberty is picked too high at number two. Now don’t get me wrong, I think Shane Pinder is a terrific coach and he will get this team to play well. I just think losing Kallie Corbin, Chelaine McCarty, and Nikki Scripko will hurt this team more than the other coaches do. Karyl Bacon is a solid hitter, but she did not have to be the go to player last year. Loren Thomas is very good hitter but there are only five upperclassmen on this team. I know Coach Pinder recruited well, he always does, there is talent but I would have picked them fourth or fifth this year. They need to come of age, they have a new setter. The league is good this year. Liberty will lose some matches early with a tough schedule. I am not saying this team will not be a factor come tournament time but out of the gate, this is not the Liberty team we have watched the last three years.
Winthrop is picked third. The Eagles are the most experienced team in the league with five seniors. We saw UNC Asheville ride senior leadership to a regular-season title a year ago. There is something to be said for seniors who know this is their last chance. Kaley Viola and Kellie Sellers will lead the team from the outside. Sara Felts and Becca Toor in the middle give the Eagles arguably the most balanced attack in the league. The biggest question mark is who will replace last season’s Player of the Year Kelley Taylor. The good news is no one player has too. Give me three good options in the front row as opposed to one great option any day. Kelsey Hall is a senior setter. I like the leadership, I like it is this year or never mentality, and I think Winthrop will be better than it was last year. I also like that they lost in the first round of the tournament last season so they will be hungry to complete. This is a team that knows it can be beaten if it doesn’t play well. I think it will play well and will have a good regular season. We will find out early. The Eagles have some big name matches the first two weekends but it will serve them well come conference play.
High Point is picked fourth; I think this is too low. The Panthers are loaded with talent. Audie Gonzalez returns from injury. She has a great arm swing and tons of potential. She has also been known to bounce one off the back wall from time to time and the injury is a concern but she is fun to watch when she is on. Megan Smith had a breakout year last season and Julie Hershkowitz is the best libero in the league now that Raquel Miotto has graduated. Anna Lott is a big block in the middle with Stephanie Wallin. They struggled with consistency last year without Gonzalez but I expect High Point to be very strong and out-perform Liberty in the regular season. The biggest question mark is at setter for the Panthers but if they can find someone to distribute the ball I like their balance. Depth may be an issue but it is going to be with every team. Remember they took Coastal to five sets in the conference tournament last year. Neither Asheville nor Liberty did that. This team got better as the year went on and I think they are talented enough to make a lot of noise.
I will take you through the teams ranked fifth through ninth tomorrow. There are a couple of teams in the lower half to watch out for so check back.