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Lady Hawks look forward to 2011 season with many new faces
By Jim O'Hara
ROME -- When the Shorter University volleyball program raises the curtain for a new season on Aug. 26 at the Milligan College Mountain Madness, an almost entirely new cast of players will take the court.
Head coach Jon Moseley is anxiously looking forward to enjoying the show.
“Last year was a great year and I’ll always remember it as a fun year,” Moseley said about last fall’s 26-6 run that saw SU open with a recording-setting 13 straight wins, win 20 of its first 22 outings and come one set away from the Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament final. “We fell just short of where we wanted to go, but it was still a great year. If we can improve on last year, then we’ll be doing pretty well.
“We’re going to be young and inexperienced at some spots,” he added. “But talent-wise, we have a strong group and we’re getting better.”
Although they are missing five now-graduated seniors from the 2010 unit – all were members of Moseley’s first recruiting class – there is a notable blend of returning experience and youthful exuberance that gives the Lady Hawks the right ingredients to remain at the top.
Four starters from last year return this year, giving Shorter a strong and seasoned nucleus.
Two of those veterans include seniors Meghan Weller, a defensive specialist from Kennesaw, and Jessica Cooper, a middle from Grant, Ala.
“Meghan’s probably one of the smartest players I’ve coached,” Moseley said of Weller, who recorded a career high 191 digs for the Lady Hawks in 2010. “And she’s mentally tough – a solid player you can depend on.”
Cooper, who transferred to Shorter from Snead State last year, emerged as the Lady Hawks’ top obstacle at the net in 2010 when she led the team the 109 blocks. Making that statistic even more remarkable is the fact that she has been playing competitive volleyball for just three years.
“I’ve never see a player get this good that fast,” Moseley said of Cooper. “She’s athletic, has the work ethic and is passionate about competing – she’s a unifier.
“They’ll be our two main leaders,” the coach added.
Also reassuming their starring roles are a pair of juniors who are already proven All-SSAC standouts – setter Jordan Corder of Hazel Green, Ala., and outside hitter Loren Olive of Killen, Ala.
Corder, who was named the SSAC Setter of the Year for the second straight season in 2010, ranked second on the team with 325 digs a year ago and already ranks second all-time in assists with 2,071 total in her first two seasons.
“She may be a quiet player but she has a fire within her to go along with her skills,” Moseley said of Corder, who may see time as a libero or defensive specialist this season due to her impeccable versatility and defensive skills.
As important as Corder has been in setting up her teammates, Olive is equally a key for the team after leading the Lady Hawks last year with 61 aces and ranking right behind Corder with 274 digs.
She also ranked second on the team with 274 kills and with one kill in 2011, will become the only Shorter player in history to accumulate 500 kills, 100 assists, 500 digs and 100 aces.
“Loren is a unique player,” Moseley pointed out. “She has every skill and can play every position on the court.”
Three more juniors and a sophomore are primed to make the transition from supporting cast to starter if needed.
Hoping to earn a spot in the starting rotation are junior middle blocker Leslie Welch of LaFayette, junior middle Jessica White of Manchester, Tenn., junior defensive specialist Christina Johnson of Temple, and sophomore right side hitter Kelsey Kirk of Dalton.
Two new cast members arrive at Shorter with experience.
Junior setter Brittney Diffine of Riverside, Calif., comes across the country after from Riverside Community College where she was first team All-Orange Empire Conference. Sophomore defensive specialist Tanequa Whitman of Huntsville, Ala., who prepped at perennial Alabama powerhouse Huntsville High, made Shorter her home after opening her career at NCAA Division I Tennessee State.
Redshirt freshmen Jasmine Crook, an outside hitter from Ohatchee, Ala., and right side hitter Jami Harvey of Columbus, Miss., are eager to get their moment on the court.
Also eager to make an immediate presence in the Lady Hawks’ lineup are four freshmen – outside hitter Tori Bradley of Florence, Ala., middle blocker Anna Graham of Rainsville, Ala., setter Megan Pepe of Cumming and outside hitter Brooke Dowd of Alpharetta.
“We’ve been blessed being able to bring in some good kids to make us the best program we want to be on and off the court,” Moseley said. “The girls have worked very hard in the weight room with [Shorter strength and conditioning coach Ben Lampkin]. I think we’re definitely the most athletic we’ve even been.”
The Lady Hawks had better be at the top of their game if they want to match and better last year’s performance.
Ahead of them is a brutal 36-match schedule, one that includes three grueling weekend invitationals and a rugged conference slate.
“We’re working hard to build on the strong foundation that has been laid,” said Moseley. “Character-wise, this is a great team. They’re fun to be around and fun to coach, and they’re all willing to work hard.”
