EMORY, Va. – Emory & Henry College Head Volleyball Coach Dan Clotfelter likes his situation as first-year mentor, since all seven starters are returning from a year ago. Clotfelter was selected to lead the Wasps' volleyball program last spring after an extremely successful eight-year run as the Head Volleyball Coach at The Walker School in Atlanta, Georgia. He also has extensive club volleyball experience having helped to develop one of the most successful club programs in the southeast and in the U.S. In his eight years at Walker, his teams competed in one Sweet Sixteen, three Elite Eights and four Final Fours at the Georgia High School State Tournament.
With all of 2010's young players returning with a year of experience under their belt, and several talented newcomers adding depth and athleticism, he likes his team's chances against perennial ODAC powers Washington & Lee and Randolph-Macon.
"The team has been working hard during the preseason to add speed to the offense and learn to play multiple defenses." Clotfelter went on to say, "We expect that it will take a little time to learn the new systems, but we know we need to make changes to compete with the top teams in the ODAC".
Junior middle hitter Kimmie Caudill (Galax, Va.), along with sophomore middle hitter Nicole Tesh (Boone, N.C.), led the Wasps in hitting last year and are expected to again provide power at the net. Caudill was an All-ODAC Honorable Mention selection in 2010.
Sophomore Fallon Davis (Mooresville, N.C.) will return as the team's starting setter. Outside hitters Morgan Grant (Abingdon, Va.), Tessa Burton (Gate City, Va.) and Jamie Cockerham (Galax, Va.) will return to anchor the offense while seniors Samantha Lucado (Salem, Va,) and Selena Trichel (Hilton Head, S.C.) will be the defensive mainstays.
Newcomers Katelyn Kast (Christiansburg, Va.), Taylor Leland (Abingdon, Va.), Maleah Neely (Hillsville, Va.), Carla Suthers (Wytheville, Va.) and Kelsey Marrs (Wytheville, Va.) are also expected to contribute.
Former Head Coach Cassie Pochyla led the Wasps to a 120-99 record in eight years at the helm before she resigned in order to spend more time with family. Clotfelter inherits a program that has turned in two 20-win seasons in the last three years and has been competitive with the top teams in the ODAC. He is confident that he can lead the program to new heights.
The Wasps were picked to finish eighth in the 2011 ODAC pre-season poll.
2011 ODAC VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes First Place Votes
|
1. Randolph-Macon (5) |
95 pts. |
|
Washington and Lee (5) |
95 pts. |
|
3. Lynchburg (1) |
75 pts. |
|
4. Virginia Wesleyan |
72 pts. |
|
5. Roanoke |
69 pts. |
|
6. Bridgewater |
51 pts. |
|
Guilford |
51 pts. |
|
8. Emory & Henry |
35 pts. |
|
9. Hollins |
27 pts. |
|
10. Randolph |
22 pts. |
|
11. Eastern Mennonite |
13 pts. |