August 26, 2015

Carson-Newman Volleyball: Liberos Preview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - This is the final in a three-part series analyzing the 2015 Carson-Newman volleyball roster that is looking to replace five All-South Atlantic Conference selections and three All-Region honorees. Finishing with senior libero Kristina Hill (Lake Orion, Mich.) this feature will look at the liberos.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - This is the final in a three-part series analyzing the 2015 Carson-Newman volleyball roster that is looking to replace five All-South Atlantic Conference selections and three All-Region honorees. Finishing with senior libero Kristina Hill (Lake Orion, Mich.) this feature will look at the liberos.

Libero is the deepest position for the Eagles this season as three returners are joined by three newcomers for the upcoming year.

"Although the numbers don't sound that different," Hill said. "It really helps push each of us individually and really reach for that extra rep. Every rep counts in practice."

Hill played in 104 sets as a junior finishing the year with 193 digs including seven matches with at least 10 scoops. On October 14, Hill notched a career-high 24 digs in a win against Mars Hill.

"It's been different," Hill said of stepping into a leadership role. "It's been a great process to go through with my other seniors. It's been really fun, but also challenging to step up on and off of the court too."

With the addition of a beach volleyball program, the back line has seen a lot of benefits from the new challenge.

"I think it was a great strategy to start a sand team," Hill said. "You only have two players on the court so you are getting so many more reps as opposed to six people and you really have to work with reading the hand contact. I think that was the most beneficial for us having two people so you have to read everything."

A two-year starter, junior Taylor Lowe (Franklin, Tenn.) was named to the Southeast Region All-Tournament team in 2014. The preseason second-team All-South Atlantic Conference selection enters the season three digs shy of 1,000 for her career as she has averaged 4.33 digs per set in her two seasons. Last year, Lowe ranked sixth in the South Atlantic Conference with 524 total digs. She has led Carson-Newman in digs in 45 of her 63 matches played.

The final returner, junior Eileen Anderson (Pittstown, N.J.), saw her role increase as the season continued playing in 55 sets in her second year. Anderson tallied 14 service aces including a pair of career days with three aces on October 11 at Newberry and on October 25 against Lenoir-Rhyne.

A trio of freshman will vie for playing time in the back row this season. Megan Morris (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) was an Under Armour All-American as a senior on her high school team while playing for the national championship on her AAU team.

Maddie Zyburt (Plainfield, Ill.) broke her high school's record for digs in a season with 466 as a senior and Tennessee native Hannah Robertson (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) joins the Eagles after an All-State selection in 2014.

"We have had fun with our freshman," Hill said. "We are just trying to lead everyone into our values as Carson-Newman volleyball players on and off of the court so I think that is something we are really focusing on as seniors."

Carson-Newman is eight days from the beginning of the 2015 campaign as the Eagles travel to Allendale, Mich. for the Laker Riverfront Classic at 3 p.m. against Quincy.

- CN -