Trinity Volleyball Preview/Recap

Many coaches subscribe to the idea that "to be the best, you have to play the best."

Julie Jenkins, in her 25th season at the Tigers helm, has not shied away from that philosophy one bit. Coach Jenkins and her Tigers - along with first-year assistant coach Allison Lawrence -  will face seven teams ranked in the top 25 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

"We are playing a tough schedule to help us get back to the championship (NCAA Division III) match," coach Jenkins said. "Five of the teams are ranked in the top 10. Three of the top 25 teams, including Trinity, are in our conference. We will use each and every match to help us improve and get where we want to be."

Trinity, which recorded a 31-10 record last season, along with a No. 12 ranking, starts the season at home on Sept. 1 with Mary Hardin-Baylor and Schreiner. Included in the Trinity University River City Classic Sept. 4-5 is 12th-ranked California Lutheran.

The University of La Verne, ranked No. 2, is part of the California Lutheran Invitational Sept. 11-12 at Thousand Oaks, Calif. Trinity, which captured its 15th - and 11th consecutive Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference title (13-1 record) - will host the SCAC West-Central No. 1 Tournament Sept. 18-19. Colorado College is ranked No. 18 nationally. Trinity will also take on Colorado College during the SCAC East-West No. 2 Oct. 16-17 at Colorado Springs.

Last season, Trinity beat DePauw University 3-0 in the SCAC Championship match at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn.

The Tigers travel to Greencastle, Ind., and DePauw University Sept. 26-27 for the SCAC East-West No. 1 event. Southwestern University is ranked eighth in the nation.

Following the Trinity Fall Classic Oct. 23-24, the Tigers will host some of the top teams in the nation during the Trinity National Invitational Oct. 30-31. Juniata is ranked third in the nation, Wisconsin-Oshkosh is sixth and Wittenberg is No. 7.

The SCAC Championship is scheduled for Nov. 6-7 in Atlanta, with the winner assured of a slot in the NCAA playoffs.

The 2008 NCAA playoffs were the 17th straight for Trinity. The Tigers, who hosted the regional tournament in Sams Gym, had a first-round bye and blanked Webster University 3-0 in the second round. Southwestern eliminated the Tigers with a tightly played 3-2 win in the regional semifinals.

Trinity produced a number of national team statistical rankings last season.

The Tigers were ranked No. 19 nationally in hitting percentage at .251 (1,871 kills, 579 errors, 5,151 total attacks) and No. 21 in blocks per set (151 sets, 77 block solos, 546 block assists, 2.32 per set). Trinity was 40th in kills per set (1,871 kills, 12.39 per set) and No. 45 in assists per set (1,686 assists, 11.17 per set).

The Tigers were also honored by the AVCA for their prowess in the classroom. Trinity volleyball, which recorded a grade point average of 3.512, received an AVCA Team Academic Award. The Tigers were ranked 11th in the NCAA Division III in GPA.

Caroline Keener, a senior setter last season, was selected as an All-American for the second straight year, and to the All-South Region and All-SCAC First Teams. Megan Dudley, an outside hitter, was named to the All-Region Honorable Mention Team and the All-SCAC Second Team. Dudley was also selected as the SCAC Volleyball Tournament Most Valuable Player. Megan Guest, a libero, made the All-South Region Honorable Mention Team and All-SCAC First Team. Guest will be a graduate assistant coach this season. She is the recipient of the NCAA Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship for Careers in Athletics.

The loss of three starters will certainly be felt this season. But the 2009 edition of the Tigers returns six starters and 11 players for the campaign.

"There will be big shoes to fill," coach Jenkins said. "But we have good depth in each position. There is a good balance on this team."

Junior right-side player Tayler Malloy of Allen, Texas (Allen), was elected to the All-SCAC First Team. The 6-foot-1 Malloy, who was injured for part of the season, held a No. 20 national ranking in hitting percentage (233 kills, 47 errors, 510 total attacks, .365).

Senior middle blocker Aly Hazelwood of Baytown, Texas (Barbers Hill), was named to the All-SCAC Sportsmanship Team. The 6-foot Hazelwood was third in Tiger kills with 281 kills (2.07 per set) and was the leader in blocks with 145 (27 block solos, 118 block assists, 1.07 per set). Hazelwood was second in points, with 395 (2.90 per set).

Amy Mittelstaedt, a 5-foot-10 senior outside hitter from Phoenix (Xavier College Prep), was second in kills with 327 (2.46 per set) and third in blocks with 83 (.62 per set). Mittelstaedt placed third in points with 389.5 (2.93 per set).

Ginger Haley, a 5-foot-9 junior senior middle blocker from Arlington, Texas (Temple Christian), had 196 kills (1.50 per set)and was second in blocks, with 139 (17 block solos, 122 block assists, 1.06 per set). Cati Troyer, a 5-foot-8 junior setter from Atlanta (Wesleyan), amassed 320 assists (6.15 per set). Alexis Edwards, a 5-foot-8 junior outside hitter from Lincoln, Neb. (Pius X), picked up 460 digs (3.22 per set). Edwards also had 189 kills (1.32 per set).

The returning players who did not start last season will play key roles this year.

Emily Hilliard, a 5-foot-9 junior defensive specialist of Corpus Christi, Texas King), accounted for 220 digs (2.56 per set). Adriene Busch, a 5-foot-9 junior defensive specialist from Tempe, Ariz. (Corona del Sol), had 86 digs (1.95 per set). Maddy Hazelwood, a 6-foot sophomore middle blocker - the sister of Aly Hazelwood - hit. 333, with 29 kills (1.32 per set). Desie Baker, a 5-foot-11 sophomore middle blocker from San Antonio (Smithson Valley), registered 22 kills (1.22 per set). Catharine Found, a 6-foot sophomore right-side player from Iowa City, Iowa (West), accounted for 28 kills (.97 per set).

Two newcomers join the ranks of the Tigers.

Madison McMahon, a 5-foot-11 first-year outside hitter/right-side player from Austin, Texas (St. Michael's Academy), was First Team Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) All-State in 2007 and 2008. McMahon was named the All-District Offensive Player of the Year in 2008.

Meredith Erwin, a 5-foot-6 first-year defensive specialist from Oakton, Va. (Madeira School; McLean, Va.), earned All-Independent School League "A" honors for three years.

"Potentially, this team will have a better chemistry than last year's," coach Jenkins concluded. "It's certainly a plus to have 11 returning players."