July 9, 2007
The tradition begins here! At least that is the way head coach Elorine Hill is approaching the 2007 volleyball season. "We are going to get over last year and put the program back where it should be," said Hill, the coach of the 1996 ad 1998 CIAA Volleyball Champions.
When the Lady Broncos report to camp in August, they will be ready to put claim to a title which has eluded them over the past few years. Last season the Lady Broncos finished 13-23 overall and 9-5 in the ever-tough Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). The results of the 2006 season singled a need for a change and a new way of doing things and with new ideas. "We are going to start from scratch," said Coach Hill, a veteran of 15 seasons in the CIAA. "The players need to be open-minded because things will be done differently."
Despite losing key players Crystal Huffman and Mia Eubanks, the cupboards are not bare. Last season Huffman led the team in set assists, averaging 6.68 per game. She finished her career at Fayetteville State University with 2, 357 career assists. Hill will miss Eubanks' leadership on the court as she starts this campaign.
Returning will be two potent veterans in senior middle blocker Tammy McFadden and junior defensive specialist Sha'Quana Veney. Veney, at 5-6 is a native of Richmond, Virginia and McFadden, a 5-11 Manning, South Carolina native, were members of the CIAA All-Conference Team. Veney looks to replicate the success she had last year. She led the team in digs and she was second in the conference in digs per game, averaging 3.61. McFadden had a 2.95 kills per game average and a .303 attack percentage. Joining them will be sophomore right side hitter Heather Chance, a second team All-Conference member.
Coach Hill will rely heavily on the veterans to help the newcomers develop the work habits that will take them to one of Hill's goals - a successful program. Hill has four sophomores and two juniors returning from last season. She feels all have matured and will be able to handle the demanding play of the CIAA. "It is vital for this year's team begin their work habits early," said Hill. Coach Hill spent the better part of the winter and spring hitting the recruiting trails. How well and how quick the newcomers make the adjustment to collegiate volleyball will determine if the Lady Broncos will be in the hunt for the CIAA Championship
The Lady Broncos start the winning tradition August 25, 2007 when they travel to Hickory, North Carolina to participate in the Lenoir-Rhyne College Tip-off Classic.
