2009 Volleyball Season Preview

The 2009 Avenging Angels Volleyball team is looking to improve off their best USA South Conference finish last year. Meredith finished in a fifth-place tie in the conference in securing eight conference wins. This year’s addition will continue their quest for the top of the conference rankings.

“This season sees the addition of eight talented freshmen to the roster. The addition of this fresh talent coupled with the strong core of six great returnees will make our program a stronger unit. I expect the program to have greater depth and diversity then we have had in the past. It is going to be an exciting season and I am looking forward to great things from this team,” said Head Coach Fiona Barkley.

Senior leadership is brought to the team from Morgan White and Ashleigh VanDriesen. White is one of the 2009 team captains and was a member of the 2008 USA South Women's Volleyball All-Conference Second Team and led Meredith with 364 kills during the 2008 season. VanDriesen was a force in the middle last year, leading the team with 60 blocks. Junior Mallory Booker was named a team captain and had 204 kills last year.

Meredith returns USA South Volleyball Libero of the Year MaryBeth Finegan. Finegan also placed on the USA South Volleyball Honorable Mention Team, NCCSIA College Division All-State Volleyball First Team, and placed on the USA South Volleyball Rookie of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week honors last season. Also returning for Meredith are sophomores Emily Anderson and Rebecca Yow.

Meredith has a strong freshman class that include Cori Spade (OH), Caroline Cobb (MB), Abigail Gupton (OH), Jessica Huneycutt (OH/DS), Jaimee Johnson (OH), Chelsea Spaeth (RS/MB), Kara Baughman (S) and Liz Osterman (DS).

The Avenging Angels begin their season on the road as they visit Division II St. Andrews on September 2. Meredith then returns home on September 5 and 6 as they host a tournament.