Wildcats anxious to start season

ACU volleyball team pointing to winning LSC championship

ABILENE -- It's highly unlikely that any ACU volleyball coach has ever been so bold as Brek Horn when she says that her team is a definite threat to win the Lone Star Conference championship.

Why characterize that as bold, you ask?

Well for one thing, the Wildcats have never won an LSC volleyball championship. And, secondly, and Wildcats happen to be in the same conference as three-time national champion and four-time defending conference champion West Texas A&M.

But Horn, nonetheless, believes her team is ready to compete with the Lady Buffs (the favorites to win the LSC South Division in front of ACU), as well as LSC North Division foes Central Oklahoma and Cameron for the conference title.

"Our goals this season are to win the LSC South Division, host the conference tournament and win the conference championship," Horn said. "With West Texas A&M losing some of their top players from the last couple of years, I really think the conference championship is there for the taking, and this group of girls is ready to do it."

Unlike last year when the Wildcats were faced with the prospect of returning just three experienced players, the experience factor shouldn't play a role in 2003. ACU returns all six players who started at the end of the 2002 season, as well as two others who saw significant playing time.

"The eight girls we have returning will obviously be the core of this team," said Horn, who in four years has an impressive career record of 89-46. "Even though those eight girls played together last year, people still consider us to be a young team But I think we'll play well right from the start of the season, and we'll surprise some people.

"Just a year of maturity will help us so much," she said. "The fact they've experienced a lot of 'firsts' will help, because we won't have to go through those things again this year."

After missing the LSC Post-Season Tournament last season, the Wildcats are picked to finish second in the LSC South Division behind West Texas A&M. However, ACU did receive three first-place votes in the poll to finish with 65 points.

Leading the way for the Wildcats is senior outside hitter Haylee Hartline, who was a second team all-LSC South Division selection in 2002. Hartline recorded 421 kills and 224 digs in 2002, but missed the Wildcats' final two matches after injuring her right (hitting) shoulder early in ACU's next-to-last match at Tarleton State.

She had arthroscopic surgery on the shoulder in February, and should be 100 percent when the 2003 season starts.

"I'm confident Haylee will come back in excellent shape and be ready to be a dominating force for our team," Horn said.

Also returning are outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt, middle blocker Amanda Slate and setter Lindsey Martin, all of whom were named honorable mention all-LSC South Division in 2002.

Bernhardt led the team in kills with 423 to go along with 253 digs and a team-best .232 hitting percentage.

"She played at a top-notch high school program (Hereford) where she's used to winning," Horn said. "She knows what it takes to win, and that's what makes her a great player."

Slate put together a solid freshman season, as well, posting 262 kills, the third-best total on the team.

"Amanda is just a great natural athlete," Horn said. "So much of her freshman season was spent learning. But the last two weeks of the season she was really becoming more comfortable and gaining confidence. I think she'll flourish this season. I'm excited about watching her develop into one of the top middle blockers in the Lone Star Conference."

Martin had a solid redshirt freshman season in 2002 by racking up 1,243 assists and 288 digs from the setter position. She will return to that position in 2003.

"Lindsey is our quarterback on the court, because so much relies on the setter," Horn said. "I believe that with a full year under her belt, she'll be confident in her role. But she really has no choice; she has to be one of the leaders on our team."

Also returning for the Wildcats will be junior libero Kellen Morrow, junior rightside hitter Sophia Kindred, sophomore middle blocker Ashlee Motola and sophomore outshide hitter Nicole Killebrew.

Horn also has seven freshmen on the roster, and two in particluar -- Katelin Corbin and Rachel Talley -- she is really excited about.

"I think we've gotten a real prize in getting Katelin," Horn said. "She covers the court and sees the ball real well. I'm anxious to see what she can do at this level.

"Rachel is a solid, all-around player," she said. "She's not flashy, but she's consistent, and she'll be able to play several different positions for us."