Aug. 28, 2004

Abilene, Texas - Hardin-Simmons may have one of the youngest volleyball teams in the conference this season, but should see improvement on its 8-18 record in the first season under head coach Hugh Hernesman. The Cowgirls started last season with nine straight losses, but with five freshmen seeing plenty of action they turned the corner about midway through the season and ended the year winning four of the last five matches. Those five return along with three talented newcomers. "We are better than expected," said Hernesman. "I can see where the spring and summer strength program has really helped these kids. They are stronger and more fit and have looked good in the preseason." The young Cowgirls will look to a pair of seniors - Maggie Barnhill and Kerra LeBlanc for leadership. "Maggie and Kerra do a great job in leading these girls," said Hernesman. "They work extremely hard in the weight room, in practice and have done a good job of bringing this team together through the coaching transition." The Cowgirls will likely play a three middle offense at times to get the best players on the floor. Barnhill, sophomore Virginia Aguilar and freshman Chelsea Beutow will clean up the middle. Barnhill led the team with 205 kills last season and was also in on 84 blocks. "Maggie is one of the kids that gained the most from the strength program," said Hernesman. "She is able to do so many more things because of her strength. She has some good skills." Aguilar was among the conference leaders in blocking last season with 130 and she also had 164 kills. "Virginia is one of the top kids so far in practice," said Hernesman. "You can tell she works hard and she has a knack for the game. She doesn't come across as the most athletic kid, but she is really athletic." Freshman Chelsie Beutow will see some significant time as she is very talented and athletic. On the outside four players will see the bulk of the action and three of them are returners. Hernseman thinks they all stick out in different ways. "Ali Childers sticks out in that she is willing to be coached and she is very athletic, with good feet and explosive jumping abilities," said Hernesman. "She is getting better defensively. Tanner Ellison knows the game real well, If she is consistent enough offensively, she can be a force." "Melanie Wallace has the best ball control of the outside players. She is a great passer and has good instincts. She can be great at this level if she can get the confidence of playing here. She has the tools. Elya Steed does anything you ask of her. She is good with her hands and does whatever you ask of her." The Cowgirls have very little depth at setter as sophomore Lizzie Tomas is the only true setter on the team. She led the team with 443 assists a year ago, despite missing the first nine games of the season with a foot injury. "Lizzie will be as good as she wants to be," said Hernesman. "She knows the game as well as anybody I have ever coached. She has to be a leader for us on the floor, in the weight room, everywhere for us." Kerra LeBlanc and Megan Lawrence could both see time at libero. "Kerra has taken to our coaching," said Hernesman. "She is very athletic with quick feet. She is very intense and has been a leader. Megan Lawrence is a first-year player that may be the best athlete on the team. She can do some things with her feet." Shelby Black has good ball skills and Jessica Shrieve have some experience and could provide solid depth. Kristi Cuiba is a former basketball player that will also help provide depth. Hernesman had a lot of success at NCAA Division III powerhouse Wisconsin-Whitewater as an assistant coach. But not knowing much about the teams he will face this season has the coach non-committal for his inaugural campaign "Not knowing this conference and the talent level we will be seeing game in and game out, it is hard to make predictions. I think realistically for this team getting into the conference tournament would be a good goal," said Henesman."They haven't done that around here and if we stay healthy I think we can do that." "The girls think they can win conference, which is good and obviously I want to win, but I think we have to get into the tournament and then you have a shot at doing something good from that point on."