The Montreat College Cavalier volleyball program begins the 2008-2009 season with many new faces. On top of having a new coach and new assistant coach, the team also consists of five new freshmen and a sophomore that is new to the team.

The team graduated five seniors last year and we have three returning players. "Although ideally we would have a larger team than what we have, we will make a great effort to assure that these players strive to be quality players. They have an opportunity to step in as young players and make a difference on the court," stated first year head coach Christy Mooberry.

 THE RETURNEES

This season we have a very young team, but a team that desires to be their best. I am excited about our potential. The players returning are also young (a junior and two sophomores), but very solid players. Our captains this year, Allie Baumgartner and Lyndsey Wall, are solid girls that will lead this team well. They have a real heart for their teammates and their first desire is that we would honor the Lord with everything we do, both on and off the court."

Allie Baumgartner led the team and the conference last year in kills with 394 and also led in kill percentage with 35%. She also led the team in blocking (4th in conference) with 163 total blocks, an average of 1.4 blocks per game. Allie was second on the team in service aces with 31 and a 93% serve average.

Allie is a Montreat Scholar-Athlete, made the Deans List, was twice named the AAC and NAIA Region XII Player of the week. She also made AAC 1st Team All-Conference, AAC All-Freshmen Team, and was the Montreat Team MVP.

Lyndsey Wall led the team in assists last year with 864. "Lyndsey has shown continual improvement each year with her stats. We can also count on Lyndsey to be a loud player who is not afraid to "run the court."

Emily Piccirillo is also a returning player this year. "She has great passion on the court and pushes herself to be the best. She is quick and smart and the team feeds off of her intensity on the court."

 THE FRESHMEN

 Five talented freshmen have signed with team this year and we also have one sophomore that is new to the volleyball program, but not Montreat. Brandy Deddo, Kayla Keys, and sophomore Kim Staley will help fill the void on the left side. "Each of them brings different things to the court. I'm excited to see how they will progress throughout the season." Christina Redman and Natalie Nieman will fill in on the right side. "Natalie has great hands and also plays excellent defense. She is a great addition to the setter position. Christina will help give us some height in our right side position against some of the tall left side opponents we will face."  Anna Stephenson is our new middle blocker who has also shown significant improvement in her defensive skills.