Spiking to new heights

After the worst season in Bulls volleyball history, the program hopes to bounce back into the competitive MAC mainstream this year.

The 2007 program finished 2-31 with a 1-15 record in the Mid-American

Conference, the worst season in history since they joined Division-1. Hoping to build on last season, head coach Jim Lodes has added new faces to fill in the blanks both on the court and on the sideline.

This past June, Lodes announced the addition of Gretchen Krumdieck to the team's coaching staff, previously an assistant for two seasons at High Point University in North Carolina. Krumdieck replaces Ladi Iya, who became head coach at the University of Rochester.

"We're very excited to have Gretchen," Lodes said. "She comes from a program that's been on the rise with 20-win seasons. She's done a great job on helping build that program so her energy will assist us with our growth."

On the court, Lodes has also recruited four new ladies to help lead the team to victory: freshmen Heather Pyle and Bethany Prather, sophomore Kayla Govier and junior Dani Silvers.

Lodes believes that Pyle, a 5'3" libber out of Westlake High School, will have an immediate impact on the team.

"Heather is a great ball control player," Lodes said. "We hope she will help ease the departure of Lizaiha (Garcia), who was the all-time dig leader for the school."

Prather, like Pyle, will also help the team out in any way necessary.

"Bethany is a strong all-around athlete," Lodes said. "She's a very strong attacker and comes from a great background. We expect that she'll bring that to us."

Silvers, a transfer student from Mars Hill College, will jump right into the system, according to Lodes.

"Dani is a transfer who brings playing experience because she was a two-year starter," Lodes said. "Her athleticism is key. The nicest thing about her is she very athletic."

According to Lodes, Govier, a transfer student from Wyoming, will also bring necessary experience to the court.

"Kayla's arrival brings another starter to the mix," he said. "She has great club training and she's a great team player. She has great energy and great work ethic. She also has the chance to play multiple positions for us."

While four new players are jumping on board, the returning members of the team from last season plan to apply the learning experience of last year's troublesome season to the court for their upcoming matches.

"We have twelve returning players," Lodes said. "We're a deeper, stronger, better team. I think it's weird but [last year] was good for us. They know they're ready. They are very highly motivated."

With the addition of new players and personnel, Lodes and his team look at the schedule and believe that every game is going to be a great fit for them all.

"To be honest, we're ready to play them all," Lodes said. "The girls have been on campus all summer. They are trying hard to grow and go in the right direction. We're ready to play. The first four weekends get us prepared for conference weekend and we have a good mix of teams to let us know where we stand."

After a season of injuries and tears, Lodes knows that his team is ready for any challenge in their path.

"(The girls) want to prove that last year wasn't what they really are," Lodes said. "They're excited. I'm excited. We're ready for anything."

The volleyball team will begin their season visiting Air Force for the Air Force Invitational. Their first match against Southern Mississippi will take place on Sunday, August 31. Game one begins at 10 a.m.