Volleyball 2004 Outlook - Guilford College

Greensboro, NC (8/18/04) -- Guilford opens its second season under head coach Glenda Dellinger with some important questions that will determine the squad's success in 2004.  Where there are questions there are opportunities and Dellinger looks forward to competitive and spirited preseason competition.  The questions will be answered in preseason and early season play as the Quakers develops their 2004 identity.

Six returners are back from last year's 6-23 club that narrowly missed the eight-team Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Tournament for the second time in the Quakers' 12 seasons in the league.  Three regulars from last year's club graduated, including A.J. Robertson, the team's top offensive player.  Robertson received Guilford's Best Senior Student-Athlete Award and the ODAC's Scholar-Athlete prize.  Bethany Stubbs, a three-year starting setter, opted not to play volleyball in her senior season.

Whoever plays setter will likely be new to the position.  Fortunately, Dellinger added Jaime Kutz to the coaching staff to help train the ball handlers.  Kutz, a 2004 High Point University graduate, was a converted setter herself and led the Division I Panthers in assists as a junior.  The setter position was wide open entering preseason and Dellinger also considered running a 6-2 formation with two setters.

Ideally, Guilford will run the swing offense as it provides an exciting and entertaining style of play.  After a prolonged adjustment period, the Quakers picked up the versatile system late last year and won four of their final eight matches.  Dellinger hopes the momentum continues in 2004, but needs new players to fill the offensive vacancies created by graduation. While the newcomers adjust, look for veterans to lead a strong defensive effort.

Senior hitter Mackenzie Parsio is a top candidate to fill part of the void, although this marks her first season in Dellinger's system.  Parsio, a solid athlete, started as a middle hitter in her first two seasons before spending last fall studying in London.  Hagerstown (MD) Community College transfer Mandy Myers is another newcomer with college experience.  A 6-2 junior, Myers is the Quakers' tallest student-athlete and teams with the 5-11 Parsio to give the Quakers a solid presence in the middle.  Another newcomer, 5-7 rookie hitter Jessica Chapman of Morganton, NC, could also play a prominent offensive role.

The Quakers' back line boasts the team's greatest depth and experience. Seniors Kendra Harvey and Rhonda Rogers have been defensive fixtures for the past three seasons.  The pair brings enthusiasm and also a little experience as hitters. Juniors Kaira Wagoner and Julie Squires made their first Guilford volleyball debuts last season and have experience in Dellinger's system.  Guilford's back-line veterans are solid servers, so look for the Quakers to serve aggressively in an effort to score on the first point of attack.

Guilford expects to learn a lot when it opens the season in a tournament hosted by Maryville (TN).  The Quakers have a couple of weeks to adjust against nonleague opponents before beginning ODAC play September 17.  Guilford's first goal is to return to the league tournament, which it hosts this season in the refurbished Ragan-Brown Field House. After that, Dellinger hopes for an enjoyable and healthy season that builds a solid foundation for future success.