Rolla, Mo. – The Missouri S&T volleyball team opens its 2015 slate this weekend at the St. Edward's University Hilltopper Classic in Austin, Texas. S&T will take on Franklin Pierce University at 4 p.m. on Friday and will play Southwestern Oklahoma State later that evening at 8 p.m. On Saturday the Miners will square off against Southern Nazarene University at 2 p.m. and will conclude the event against Tiffin University (Ohio) at 6 p.m.
S&T returns nine letterwinners and four starters off of last year's team that advanced to its fourth straight Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament and second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
S&T returns experience on the backline with seniors
Jackie Pyles (White Lake, Mich./West Bloomfield) and
Dana Shannon (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) along with juniors
Cydney Denning (San Antonio, Texas/Brandeis ) and
Caitlin Brocker (Crystal Lake, Ill./Marian Central ). Adding additional depth to that mix is
Ashley Allegri (Leawood, Kan./Shawnee Mission East), returning from injury, and newcomer
Lauren Flowers (Ballwin, Mo./Lafayette). Defense has always been key for the Miners as they've consistently finished amongst the conference leaders in digs/set the last five seasons.
Up front S&T returns both of its All-GLVC middle hitting duo of seniors
Krista Haslag (Linn, Mo./Helias ) and
Gracey Moon (Kirkwood, Mo./Kirkwood). In addition to those GLVC honors Haslag also picked up her second American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American honors last year. Providing depth behind those two will be
Shelby Wagner (Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit) and freshman
Carson Talley (St. Louis, Mo./Affton). Wagner missed all of last season due to an injury while Talley put up impressive prep numbers at Affton High School averaging 4.75 kills/set, 1.75 blocks/set and 3.56 digs per set.
On the outside the Miners will have to replace
Alison Mueller (Bartelso, Ill./Mater Dei ) and believe they've got that person in
Claire Friedlund (Parkville, Mo./Park Hill South). Friedlund averaged over 2.00 kills per set as a freshman and finished the season with an attack percentage of .144. Pyles saw some time as an outside hitter as well last year finishing the season with 56 kills. Another person that could see time at the position is Allegri. Also in the mix is freshman
Carlie Combs (O'Fallon, Mo./St. Dominic). In high school Combs was a two-time all-conference and all-district selection at St. Dominic High School and was the Archdiocesan Athletics Association Player of the Year in 2014. She holds the school's single season and career records for kills and digs.
Over on the right side
Claire Luther (St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran South) is penciled in as the starter after seeing limited time during her sophomore season. Luther finished the season with 34 kills and had an attack percentage of .163. Joining Luther on the right pin will be junior college transfer
Marketa Illetskova (Klatovy Czech Republic/Gymnazium Jaroslave, Vrchlickeho Klatovy) and freshman
Ellen Schulz (Wildwood, Mo./Eureka). Illetskova comes to S&T from Jefferson College where she appeared in 51 matches and recorded 2.16 kills/set in her two year career with the Vikings. Schulz was a four year letterwinner at Eureka High School.
Running the show this season will be sophomore
Alexis White (Auburn, Wash./Riverside) who takes over for
Allie Plunk (Hurst, Texas/Birdville). In limited action last season White dished out an average of 3.53 assists/set and will look to get the ball into the hands of the attackers as much as possible. Head coach
Jason Holt is confident in White's abilities to take over the offense from Plunk. This is the only spot on the court that the Miners don't have a true backup but have been working with several options during the pre-season.
S&T opens its schedule playing its first 11 matches on the road and won't play its first home game until Friday, Sept. 25 against Saint Joseph's at 7 p.m.
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