A&M-Commerce (0-0) vs. Henderson State (0-4)
Tuesday, September 6 * 7 p.m.
The Field House * Commerce, Texas
Live Stats: LionAthletics.com
A&M-Commerce (0-0) at Midwestern State (3-1)
Thursday, September 8 * 5 p.m.
D.L. Ligon Coliseum * Wichita Falls, Texas
Live Stats: MSUMustangs.com
A&M-Commerce (0-0) vs. Colorado State-Pueblo (1-3)
Friday, September 9 * 3:30 p.m.
Burg Center (Dallas Baptist University) * Dallas, Texas
Live Stats: DBUPatriots.com
A&M-Commerce (0-0) at Cameron (1-1)
Saturday, September 10 * 7 p.m.
Aggie Gymnasium * Lawton, Okla.
Opening Serve
A&M-Commerce volleyball takes center stage this week, opening up the 2011 season with four matches in a five-day span. The Lions open the 2011 campaign at home, hosting Henderson State at 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 6 at the Field House. A&M-Commerce then immediately opens up Lone Star Conference play at Midwestern State Thursday (5 p.m. opening serve) before taking on Colorado State-Pueblo at 3:30 p.m. Friday in Dallas as part of the Dallas Baptist Patriot Tournament. The Lions close out the busy opening week by facing conference foe Cameron at 7 p.m. Saturday evening in Lawton, Okla.
Be Bold, Wear Gold Tuesday
A&M-Commerce's season opener against Henderson State Tuesday is the Lions' Gold-Out game for the 2011 volleyball season. Fans are encouraged to wear gold as they cheer on their Lions in the 2011 home opener at the Field House Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Scouting the Reddies
2011: 0-4 overall. 2010: 14-13 overall.
Last Three Matches: L vs. Bellarmine (0-3), L vs. Montevallo (0-3), L at Christian Brothers (0-3)
Head Coach: Rhonda Thigpen (Ouachita Baptist, 1978). 22nd season at Henderson State (463-320, .591).
Key Player (2010 Statistics): Cheyenne Derr (So., OH): 33 kills, 55 assists, 37 blocks.
Scouting the Mustangs
2011: 3-1 overall. 2010: 15-14 overall, 9-5 Lone Star Conference.
Last Three Matches: W vs. Nova Southeastern (3-0), L vs. Washburn (0-3), W vs. A&M-International (3-0).
Head Coach: Venera Flores-Stafford (Univ. of Dallas, 1995). Eighth season at Midwestern State (134-100, .573); 12th season overall (242-190, .560).
Key Players: Caitlin Wallace (So., MB): 40 kills, .388 hitting percentage, 12 blocks; Shelby Stewart (Jr., OH): 30 kills, .265 hitting percentage, 3 service aces, 6 blocks; Miranda Byrd (Sr., OH): 24 kills, .309 hitting percentage, 8 blocks; Hillary White (Sr., OH): 24 kills, 48 digs, 3 blocks; Kimberly Jeffrey (Jr., S): 68 assists, 17 digs; Kiara Jordan (Sr., LIB): 79 digs.
Scouting the Thunderwolves
2011: 1-3 overall. 2010: 11-15 overall, 6-12 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Last Three Matches: W vs. Chadron State (3-1), L vs. William Jewel (2-3), L at Rockhurst (1-3)
Head Coach: Jen Gomez (Colorado State-Pueblo, 2001). First season at CSU-Pueblo (1-3, .250); sixth season overall (135-63, .682).
Key Players: Janae Heiser (Sr., OH): 35 kills, .253 hitting percentage, 37 digs, 6 blocks; Bernadette Pitre (Sr., MB): 35 kills, .508 hitting percentage, 4 service aces, 13 blocks; Alea Wildman (Sr., OH): 19 kills, 2 blocks; Angela McAdams (Jr., MB): 18 kills, .375 hitting percentage, 7 blocks; Kacy Griffin (So., S): 106 assists, 7 kills, 17 digs, 5 blocks; Ashley Michael (Sr., LIB): 51 digs, 2 service aces.
Scouting the Aggies
2011: 1-1 overall. 2010: 9-18 overall, 4-10 Lone Star Conference.
Last Two Matches: L at Southern Arkansas (2-3), W vs. Texas College (3-0).
Head Coach: Douglas Tabbert (Baker, 1989). First season at Cameron (1-1, .500); first season overall (1-1, .500).
Key Players: Kelle Carver (Fr., RS): 20 kills, .357 hitting percentage, 7 blocks; Adrienne Lawson (Sr., OH): 19 kills, .263 hitting percentage, 4 service aces, 17 digs; Malyssa Acton (Sr., OH): 17 kills, .236 hitting percentage, 14 digs; Rebecca Green (Fr., MB): Seven kills, .278 hitting percentage, six blocks; Jenna Risoli (So., S): 69 assists, 5 kills, .714 hitting percentage, 23 digs; Julisa Ocasio (Jr., LIB): 30 digs, 7 service aces.
Series Information
Henderson State: Henderson State leads series 22-11; Lady Reddies bring a one match winning streak into Tuesday's match, defeating the Lions 3-2 in 2010.
Midwestern State: A&M-Commerce leads series 15-12; Mustangs defeated the Lions 3-1 in 2010 and have a one-match winning streak.
Colorado State-Pueblo: Colorado State-Pueblo has won both of the previous matches and leads the series 2-0; the last time the two teams met was in 2005 with the Thunderwolves taking a 3-1 decision.
Cameron: The all-time series between Cameron and A&M-Commerce is tied at 20-20; the Lions won the last meeting between the two, a 3-1 decision in 2010.
Case Returns For His Second Season At Helm of Lions
Head coach Craig Case enters his second season as the head man at A&M-Commerce after recording a 14-15 overall mark in 2010. Under Case's tuteledge, Jordan Neal and Rachel Robertson both were named second team All-Lone Star Conference selections in 2010, the first time since 2009 two Lions were named to the all-conference team. Case begins his seventh season overall as a head coach, posting an overall mark of 70-108.
Robertson, Juniors Assume Leadership Role
With no seniors on the A&M-Commerce roster in 2011, the leadership role falls squarely on the shoulders of the Lions' juniors, led by 2010 second team All-Lone Star Conference middle blocker Rachel Robertson. Robertson posted a team-best 304 kills last season, hitting .288 with 75 blocks. She will be joined by fellow middle blocker Morgan Moeller, who notched 118 kills and 21 blocks in 2010. Melanie Williams joins the Lions after transferring from Paris Junior College and provides a legitimate outside hitting threat for A&M-Commerce.
Sophomores Ready For the Spotlight
The A&M-Commerce sophomores comprise the deepest class on the 2011 roster, with six players adding depth at key positions. Setter Jordan Neal looks to build off her second team All-Lone Star Conference performance in 2010 in which she dished out 842 assists to go along with her 68 kills. Middle blocker Kayla Bond had a breakout season as a freshman, finishing third on the team in both kills (201) and blocks (46) and should be a constant in the Lions' starting lineup in 2011. Ciara Holmes and Chelsea Simonton will both compete for playing time at the outside hitter position with Dakota Crockett and Haley Richburg adding depth at the libero/defensive specialist position. Outside hitter Chelsee Hudson took a redshirt season in 2010 and should also factor into the mix, providing some key depth for the Lions.
Freshman Class Brings High Expectations
Head coach Craig Case was extremely excited about his 2011 freshman class as each of them bring impressive prep careers to Commerce. Setter Savanah Neal (no relation to Jordan), middle blocker Ezon Onditi and outside hitter Breanne Snyder were the three early signees of Case's 2011 class, and each of them have shown their abilities in preseason workouts and the Blue/Gold scrimmage this past Thursday. Case also added defensive specialist Morgan Settle, adding to the depth on the Lions' bench.
Lions Host First Annual Blue/Gold Scrimmage
One of the traditions head coach Craig Case is looking to start is an annual blue/gold scrimmage prior to the start of the season, and the inaugural match will be hard to top. A great crowd was on hand to get their first look at the Lions and saw the Gold squad earn a hard-fought 3-1 decision over the Blue, thanks in large part to 29 kills from Rachel Robertson. Freshman Breanne Snyder was the driving force for the Blue team, nearly recording a double-double with 15 kills and eight blocks on the night.
********************
Stay up to date on all the latest A&M-Commerce Lion Athletics news by becoming a fan on Facebook. Twitter followers can also receive updates on all of the Lions' teams @Lion_Athletics.
