"New Look" Pirates Head Into 2007 With Eye On Third Straight PBC Volleyball Title, 8-23-07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8-23-07

"New Look" Pirates Head Into 2007 With Eye On Third Straight PBC Volleyball Title

SAVANNAH, Ga. – (August 23) – The Armstrong Atlantic State volleyball squad heads into the 2007 season looking for a three-peat, as the Pirates have earned Peach Belt Conference regular season titles each of the last two seasons. A vastly different roster, however, will have to try and accomplish the feat after the Pirates graduated eight seniors and lost nine players overall from last season's squad that finished with a 20-15 overall record and a 10-2 mark in the Peach Belt.

The cupboard isn't entirely bare fo rthe Pirates, however, as five returnees join eight newcomers to make up the 2007 edition of the AASU volleyball squad.

Senior rightside hitter Rindy Vidovich leads the returnees after an All-PBC junior season. The San Pedro, Calif., native was named to the 2007 PBC Preseason All-Conference team and her versatility means that she could also see time at middle hitter this year.

Two other seniors join Vidovich in wrapping up their four-year careers at AASU as outside hitter Stacia McCoy and middle hitter Kassi Kixmiller also return to lead the Pirates. McCoy has been one of the steadiest defensive players in her three seasons, while Kixmiller will be asked to help fill the void of the Pirates' departing middle hitters, much like she did last year in the last home weekend when she started three matches in place of the injured Traci Knuth.

Also returning for the Pirates are sophomores Nicole Yates and Gwen Clarke. Yates played extensively last year as AASU's primary defensive specialist, while Clarke saw time at outside hitter and will be asked to step up and compete for a starting spot this season as a sophomore.

Replacing two of the top three blocking middles in the PBC in Knuth and Leah Schmeidge will be a tall task, but the Pirates have a trio of newcomers who will attemtp to do just that. German native Antje Reuleke (5-10, Jr., Badel, Germany) brings international experience to the Pirates from her club team VSG Salzwedel, while Allyson Ray (6-0, Jr., Hudson, Fla.) comes from Pasco Hernando CC, where she was an honorable mention All-Conference honoree as a sophomore. Freshman Leah Kettleson (5-11, Fr., Wray, Colo.) was a two-time All-State honoree for Wray HS and will also be in the mix.

AASU will also have to replace both setters from a year ago and have a pair of newcomers ready to step in. Alabama A&M transfer Kara Jerden (5-11, Jr., Bloomington, Ind.) was a two-time All-SWAC performer for the Bulldogs, while freshman Hannah Segebart (5-7, Fr., Littleton, Colo.) earned honorable mention All-Conference honors at Chatfield Senior HS.

Three more freshman round out the incoming class as Puerto Rico native Elimari Escalante (5-10, Fr., Bayamon, Puerto Rico) joins the Pirates as an outside hitter, while lefthander Sarah Schwanz (5-11, Fr., Eagan, Minn.) and Brendyce Budd (5-9, Fr., Page, Ariz.) will each compete for time on the right side.

A new regional configuration for NCAA Division II, which will officially take effect in 2008, means that the Pirates' schedule has undergone a dramatic change. AASU will play in five tournaments this season, including hosting the Chatham Orthopedics Volleyball Classic in September, and will get a taste of early season action in Memphis and Alaska on a 12-day season-opening trip. A 10-game Peach Belt slate as well as non-conference matches with West Georgia, Flagler, Tusculum and St. Andrews round out the schedule.

The Pirates will take on host Christian Brothers at 10:00 a.m. on Friday morning in its first action of the 2007 season in Memphis.

The Pirates begin the 2007 season on August 24th in Memphis, Tenn., at Christian Brothers' season-opening tournament.

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