This WeekThe 2014 campaign kicks off this week for the Trinity International Trojans' volleyball program, as TIU heads to Tennesee to open the schedule at the Milligan Mountain Madness, hosted by Milligan College. The Trojans will look to get the season off to a good start, as the team plays four matches against NAIA competition.
The Trojans get started by facing off with a pair of Appalachian Athletic Conference programs, in Tennessee Wesleyan, and hosts Milligan. On Saturday, TIU faces off against Cumberlands (Ky.) and Hannibal-LaGrange to round out the weekend.
Last Time OutThe Trojans will look to improve upon last season's 12-20 record and fifth place finish in the CCAC North Division. Last season, TIU increased their win total from 2012, when they won just nine matches. They also finished the year winning three of their final four matches at home.
Head Coach Dan PriestEntering his first season in 2014,
Daniel Priest was announced as the new head coach of the Trinity International volleyball program by the university in February. A 2010 graduate of TIU, Priest comes to Trinity International from Indiana Wesleyan, and after working as an assistant with the Ball State University men's volleyball program.
While at IWU, Priest was part of a coaching staff that helped lead the Wildcats to a combined 102-22 record, including three straight trips to the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship, three Crossroads League Tournament titles, and a pair of Crossroads League regular season championships. Priest worked with eight NAIA All-Americans during his three seasons at IWU.
The past two seasons, Priest has been recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). In 2012, He was named the AVCA-NAIA Northeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year. Â Priest then earned the AVCA-NAIA National Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2013.
All-CCAC HonorsFor the first time in the last three seasons, the Trojans have an All-CCAC honoree returning to the squad to start the new year. Senior hitter
Samantha Stoller led the Trojans attack last season, and earned a spot on the All-CCAC Second Team. The Cissna Park, Ill. native led the Trojans with 314 kills in 2013, averaging a team-high 2.83 kills per set. Stoller was also the team leader in service aces, with 39, and total blocks, with 67.
Opponent Preview
Tennessee WesleyanThe Bulldogs open the season this weekend, after a 7-21 campaign a year ago. TWC returns their top two hitters from a year ago, however, and will look to improve their record this year. Senior Hayli Raines (2.9 kills per set) and sophomore Abby Schuster (2.8 kills per set) will carry the Bulldog attack.
Milligan (Tenn.)The Buffaloes kicked off their season last weekend, and have gotten off to a 1-1 start, with a straight-set win over Tennessee Temple, and a four-set loss at Dalton State (Ga.). Freshman hitter Marissa Langford has led the Milligan offense in the early portion of their schedule, averaging a team-high 2.9 kills per set, along with a .326 hitting percentage.
Cumberlands (Ky.)The Patriots' season is already in full swing, with five matches already in the books. Cumberlands has started the year with a 2-3 mark after competing in the Aces in August Tournament at Rio Grande (Ohio), however one of their two victories came on an opponents forfeit. Sophomore hitter Jennifer Philpot currently leads the team with 2.06 kills per set, while her classmate Sydney Beck has anchored the back line, with a team-high 3.94 digs per set.
Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.)The Trojans traveled to the Mount Mercy (Iowa) Tournament last weekend, but are still in search of the season's first victory, after going 0-4. Senior Carli Penrod led Hannibal-LaGrange with an average of 2.3 kills per set during the tournament. Sophomore Kelly Gould has gotten off to a strong start on the service line, dealing out 11 total aces in four matches, good for 11th nationally in the NAIA.
Returning TrojansTrinity International returns eight regular players from the 2013 squad who will look to improve upon their 12-win campaign a year ago. Senior outside hitter
Samantha Stoller is the leading returner with 2.83 kills per set last season, while hitting for a .159 average. TIU's second-leading setter returns in junior
Kali Cramer, who averaged 2.99 helpers per set. Senior
Julie Gregornik was one of Trinity's best all-around weapons last year, and is team's lone returner to average more than 1.5 kills and 2.0 digs per set. Junior libero
Gabrielle LaMonaca returns, after leading the Trojans with 4.23 digs per set, the fifth-highest average in the CCAC last season. The Greenwood, Ind. native also dealt out 29 service aces last year, second on the team only to Stoller (39).
New FacesSix new players will join the Trojans volleyball program in 2014, and will likely see significant playing time during their first season. The current roster includes four players listed at 5' 10" or higher; three of those players are newcomers, including
Alida Knudtson (Elkhorn, Wisc.),
Mickayla Staal (Hudsonville, Mich.), and
Lexie Voss (Salem, Wisc.). Three other freshman will also look to make an immediate impact, either as a setter, or while playing on the TIU back line, in
Karlijn Van Gaalen (Leeuwarden, Netherlands),
Becca Kowalczuk (Racine, Wisc.), and
Hannah Boeger (Overland Park, Kan.)
