MONMOUTH VOLLEYBALL SET TO START 1996 SEASON
The Monmouth women
=s volleyball team looks to rebound from a disappointing 1995 season behind a talented group of experienced veterans. Third-year coach Mia Smith will count heavily on her upperclassmen to be the team leaders and to reverse the fortunes of last year, which saw the Scots fail to produce consistent results and ended with a 10-23 match record. Monmouth=s record of 1-4 in MWC South Division matches left the Scots tied for fifth place.Smith
=s best offensive weapon should be senior Kari Bailey-Shimmin (Gladstone,IL/ Union HS), who led the team with 213 kills last fall and is equally effective from the outside and middle positions. Bailey-Shimmin, a Second Team All-MWC selection in 1995, is already the Monmouth career leader in digs (1170) and ranks second in career aces (133) and fourth in kills (605). She will be joined at the outside hitter position by senior Mindy Belshaw (Washburn,IL/Lowpoint-Washburn HS), who has a year=s experience with the Monmouth system after transferring from Parkland Junior College. Belshaw posted 145 kills and tied for team-high honors with 33 service aces last fall. Senior Sara Erlandson (Kirkwood,IL/ Yorkwood HS) set a single-season team record of 196 solo blocks in 1995. She led the Scots with a .339 hitting percentage and will be a dominating blocker and hitter along the frontline. Lynn Utter (Monmouth,IL/Monmouth HS) returns in the starting lineup as a junior and provides strength on both offense (138 kills) and defense (149 blocks). Freshman Wendy Erlandson (Kirkwood,IL/Yorkwood HS) could also see playing time at outside hitter.The team used several setters last year and again will likely alternate those duties among a group of players early in the season. Smith plans to implement a variety of quick-set plays to increase back row attacking and will use taller setters to enhance the versatility of her front-row hitters. First-year players Stacey Kreps (Champaign,IL/Champaign Centennial HS), Cindy Erlandson (Kirkwood,IL/Yorkwood HS) and Tara Olson (Silvis,IL/United Township HS), all with solid prep or club experience and good court awareness, give Monmouth several options at setter. Passing and serving accuracy hurt the Scots
= efforts last fall and will be a key for offensive consistency. Sophomore Michelle Kommer (Monticello, IL/Monticello HS) (33 aces, 190 digs) has improved her passing and will strengthen the defense, along with Sara Rademaker (New Windsor,IL/Sherrard HS), Amy Gavlinski (Peoria,IL/Richwoods HS) and freshman Jill Brant (Sandwich,IL/Sandwich HS).Veteran leadership and improved versatility with a new offensive scheme will hopefully propel the Scots to the top of the Midwest Conference South Division but Smith is also banking on attitude. The team starts the new season with a fresh outlook and positive attitude, and the annual MC Invitational (Sep. 7) will allow the squad to get off to a good start at home. Monmouth will play in two additional tournaments before beginning conference action. The schedule includes 5 home matches, including three crucial MWC contests late in October.
Illinois College, the defending division champion, and Coe are expected to be strong in the MWC South while 1995 league champ Beloit, St. Norbert and Lake Forest will likely lead the charge in the North Division. The Scots add a new wrinkle to their schedule this fall with an early-season trip to the Trinity University Tournament in San Antonio, Texas.
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