August 13, 2015

Carson-Newman Volleyball: Setters and Middles Preview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - This is the first 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. Beginning with senior setter Lindsey Wells (Morristown, Tenn.) this feature will look at the setters and middle blockers.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - This is the first 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. Beginning with senior setter Lindsey Wells (Morristown, Tenn.) this feature will look at the setters and middle blockers.

The 2015 team will look to replace All-Region honoree and four-year starter Kristen Pickett at setter. Pickett finished her career with the second-most assists in a career with 3,886 and in service aces with 149.

A pair of sophomores and a senior will look to combine to replace Pickett. The trio has combined for 312 assists in their career including 110 a season ago.

Wells was a setter for her first two seasons in Mossy Creek before shifting to libero in 2014. She played in a career-high 73 sets over 27 matches a season ago averaging 1.23 digs per set.

"Since I've always been a setter the transition has been fun to go back to the position," Wells said. "Being a libero last year gave me a different perspective of the game so I think that is going to really help me this year."

The Morristown, Tenn. native was a star at nearby Morristown East High School being named All-Conference in each of her four seasons. In her first two seasons in Mossy Creek, Wells saw action in 37 matches.

"Our system is a lot more fast pace," Wells said of the change from years past. "It's kind of a spur of the moment thing. It's not a set offense so you have to be ready to go with whatever they call and it works really well."

Sophomore Morgan Harlan (Ladera Ranch, Calif.) saw time as a middle blocker at the beginning of last season including seven kills and five block assists against UNC Pembroke on September 13. That match was a week after tallying a season-high 18 assists versus Holy Names. Harlan notched nine assists against Coker on October 3.

Sophomore Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.) played in 18 sets in 2014 setting a season high of 13 assists and two digs on September 5 against Holy Names. In the 14 matches Patton participated in last season, the sophomore had at least one assist in 13.

"I've seen them both mature a lot from their freshman year," Wells said. "They are working hard. They've gotten better and they bring a lot of energy and great attitudes to the team."

In the middle, Carson-Newman's newcomers have huge shoes to fill. In 2014, Jenna Wilson became the program's first All-American setting a school record with a .387 attack percentage ranking 11^th among Division II athletes in that category. All-SAC pick and three-year starter Kiayna O'Neal also leaves a vacancy in the middle.

A trio of newcomers will compete for those openings leading up to the start of the season.

"I'm excited about the depth and talent this year's team has especially with the middles," Wilson said. "I think the middles are going to play a huge role in the team's offense. They are all strong, powerful hitters that are extremely well-rounded."

Junior transfer Madison Borch (Walnut Creek, Calif.) brings the most experience coming in from Cabrillo College in California. In 2014, she hit .431 while ranking second in the state in blocks per set. Borch brings a lot of success to Carson-Newman having tallied a 65-2 record in two years at Cabrillo.

Two freshman enter the fray in Allie Foster (Johnson City, Tenn.) and Natalie Harris (Monroe, N.C.). Foster was a first team All-Conference selection at Science Hill a season ago while Harris tallied 300 kills and 69 blocks for Piedmont High School as a senior.

The position previews continue August 20 with senior outside hitter Sara Fairley (Charlotte, N.C.) with a look at the outside hitters.

- CN -