Volleyball News

2009 Oglethorpe Volleyball Season Preview

After helping guide the Stormy Petrels to their most successful season since 2002, head coach Kurt Matthews has generated a buzz of optimism as the team gets set for the 2009 campaign. Last year, Matthews guided the team to their most wins overall (12) and in conference (3) in seven years as Oglethorpe won two out of three contests at the SCAC Championships to finish alone in 9th place.

The Petrels ranked second in the conference in service aces in 2008 and return one of the best in the league, junior outside hitter Trupti Patel, who recorded a third-best .53 aces per game in the SCAC. Also returning for Oglethorpe in 2009 is junior Libero Hilary Miller of Memphis, Tennessee and junior outside hitter Sara Blair of Knoxville, Tennessee. A fiery player, Miller provides leadership in the middle of the floor while Blair is the team’s big hitter, providing spikes on the outside of the net.

Joining this trio of juniors returning for Oglethorpe are senior veterans Lynette McKinney of Powder Springs, Georgia and Elena DuJour of Lithia Springs, Georgia. Their leadership experience will prove invaluable for coach Matthews as he will be blending in the talents of five first-year players: Molly Buckner (Augusta, Ga.), Michelle Maurin (Lafayette, La.), Brittin Dawson (Anderson, SC), Zena Stephens (Miami, Fl.) and Danita Constable (Decatur, Ga.). Junior transfer Samantha Von Ende of Leawood, Kansas rounds out the 11-woman roster for Matthews.

“The preseason practices have been encouraging,” said Matthews, adding, “I’m impressed with how the first-year players are meshing with the veterans and I think we have a chance to compete for more wins in the always tough SCAC.”

The season gets underway for the Petrels on September 1 when they host a doubleheader against Covenant and Spelman on Pinholster Court. The 2009 campaign will also finish on Pinholster Court as Oglethorpe is hosting the 2009 SCAC Volleyball Championships November 6 – 8.