HENDERSON, Tenn. - The last three seasons have brought a long list of "firsts" to the Freed-Hardeman volleyball program, from conference championships to a national tournament appearance.
This year, the Lady Lions have a chance to bring a first to the TranSouth Conference.
FHU will look to win its fourth consecutive regular season conference title, something that no team has done in the existence of the TSAC. Only one other program - Lee (Tenn.) University, now a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference - has pulled off the three-peat, doing it twice from 1996-1998 and from 2001-2003. Freed-Hardeman has won the last three regular season banners, posting a combined conference record of 42-4 during that span.
However, last season saw several teams in conference improve their levels of play and that improvement, coupled with some key front row losses for the Lady Lions, means pulling off the unprecedented four-peat will be a challenge.
The attack will look significantly different from last season with the team's top two hitters - Diana Silva (4.0 kills/game) and Nataly Gutierrez (3.3 kills/game) - needing to be replaced. Silva, the conference player of the year, transferred to NCAA Division I University of Tulsa, while Gutierrez will redshirt at FHU this season. Also gone is right-side hitter Karim Raymond, who averaged 1.9 kills per game.
"We will truly miss Diana from last years squad," said Humphry. "She was a player that we depended on a lot last season. Any time you have to do without an All-American type player it will have and impact on your team. Karim will also leave a void on the right side this season. Her leadership alone will have a impact on our team."
However, that doesn't mean the Lady Lions will struggle with their attack. Junior Sydney Rice, a two-time first-team all-conference selection, returns as does three-year starter Claire Pennington who spent more time on the back row last year but will likely return to the left side. Rice averaged 2.9 kills per game last season and led the team in blocks with 124. Pennington is the team's lone senior this year.
"Claire is a three-year starter and a leader for our team," Humphry said. "She could be the glue that keeps us together this season. Sydney will be depended on more this season. Sydney is dominating player in the middle both on the offense and defense."
Additionally, FHU will welcome Fernanda Ferreira back to the floor after missing 2009 with an injury. Ferreira was an AVCA All-American as a freshman in 2008 after averaging 3.3 kills per game.
"Fernanda had to sit out last season due to injury but we will gladly welcome her back to our lineup this season," said Humphry. "She will really add to our net play."
Also returning on the front row is Hunter Logan, an outside hitter who saw limited action last season. She will be needed to add depth at the position this year as will freshmen Olivia Sims (Helena, Ala./Pelham HS) and Jasmine Johnson (Alamo, Tenn./Crockett Co. HS) as well as junior Sandra Montoya, a transfer from Miami-Dade Community College.
Humphry will have several options at setter with two returnees and another newcomer all expected to vie for time at the position. Amber Turner started at the position last season, ranking ninth in the NAIA with an average of 10.9 assists per game. Carissa Foshee also saw time as a backup. However, Humphry also expects freshman Renata Ferreira (Contagem, Brazil) to compete for the spot.
Sophomore libero Callie West returns to lead the defense after being named second-team all-conference last season. She averaged 2.9 digs per game and should be even better this season after last year's experience. Rachelle Prince also returns to the back row. Versatile freshman Hannah Claiborne (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Middle Tennessee Christian) is also an option to see time on the defense.
This year's schedule will again include matches against teams that are perennially ranked in the NAIA's top 25 including Lindenwood (Mo.), Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) and Georgetown (Ky.) College. The season opens at home on Sept. 7 against NCAA Division II Christian Brothers (Tenn.) University.
For the third straight year, TranSouth Conference coaches voted the Lady Lions as the pre-season favorite to repeat as conference champions but Humphry realizes doing so won't be an easy path.
"We know that everyone will be gunning for us this season but I feel we are going to be up to the task," he said. "We will be a little different on offense without Silva this season but our defense should remain strong. Big seasons are expected from our upperclassmen and I look for leadership from our lone senior Claire Pennington."
"[Being voted] pre-season No. 1 was a honor but I know we will be pushed by every team and especially by the No. 2 pre-season team, Union University, who finished runner up to us last season."
