2009 Volleyball

The 2007 Freed-Hardeman University volleyball team made school history by capturing its first-ever regular season and tournament conference championships.  As the 2008 season approaches, the Lady Lions will be in the position of the hunted rather than the hunter, as the TranSouth coaches voted them as the pre-season favorite.

Three starters are gone from last year's 30-win team, including two-time All-American Karina Souza.   However, plenty of talent returns to the floor for the Lady Lions.  Last year's conference newcomer of the year, Crissandra Perez, gives FHU a strong force in the middle.  Perez, a senior middle blocker/outside hitter from the Dominican Republic, led the team in kills (4.28 per game) and attack percentage (47.4 percent) in 2007.

Also returning is Martha Ray, a senior setter from Mount Dora, Fla.  Ray was among the national leaders last season in assists, averaging 11.9 per game.  She'll be setting for Claire Pennington and Karim Raymond in addition to Perez, giving FHU a strong and balanced attack.  Senior Brooke Childers will add depth in the front row.

For the first time in head coach Todd Humphry's nine years at FHU, the team will welcome five incoming freshmen, a recruiting class that has the potential to be one of Humphry's best.

Sydney Rice, an outside hitter/middle blocker from Johnson City, Tenn., will look to help replace four-year starter and all-conference player Randal Prince, who was among the team leaders in several categories.  Morgan Faulkner (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) and Carissa Foshee (Paragould, Ark.) will be options for picking up the production left behind by Souza.

Rachelle Prince will have the chance to earn time at libero this year, as two-year starter Julia Macormac moved after getting married this summer.  Bartlett, Tenn., native Amber Turner will add depth to the setter position.

The 2008 season begins on Aug. 26 against Brescia (Ky.) University.  The home opener is set for Sept. 2 as the Lady Lions will host Lambuth (Tenn.) University.