Lincoln College volleyball preview    

[AUG. 24, 2004]  With four sophomores returning for action, Lincoln College volleyball coach Mark Tippett has high hopes for his squad this season. The Lynx open play Saturday at the Black Hawk East quad meet and will play their first home match on Tuesday, Aug. 31, against Lincoln Land.

Heading the list of returning sophomores is Kristin Majka, a 5-8 outside hitter from Willowbrook. She was first team all-conference last season. "Kristin should be a team leader and will be a strong offensive weapon with good passing skills," said Tippett. Majka also led the team in kills last season.

Other sophomores are Samantha McCoy, Rosie Miller and Jennifer Stedman. "McCoy will play the libero position, and she is our best defensive player," Tippett said. "She gives us stability on defense and she has the ability to dig real well. She is a good athlete and a team leader. Miller will be one of our setters as we go to the two-setter offense. She will operate out of the back row and will give us a good opportunity to score if we are able to get her the ball. Stedman was injured last season and played very little; however, she appears to be healthy and will give us another strong outside hitter. She is a defensive specialist and is looking forward to a strong season."

Two other sophomores on the squad are transfers. "Kristen Meminger has transferred from a Missouri College and has shown to be a strong athlete and will be a good addition to our squad," Tippett said. "Cara Willey was a Carthage last season, and she is likely to see action at the libero spot and could possibly help in other spots with her defensive skills."

Tippett is excited about some of his newcomers, especially in the middle. "We haven't had good middle players in the past, but Erica Lill and Danielle Crum have us excited this season. They give us some height in the middle with good athletic ability. They are the best-skilled players we have had at this position in my four years. They have all the tools a good middle hitter needs."

"Lakasha Bridgeford, from Springfield, has also shown she will be able to help in the middle," Tippett continued. "We have four strong players on the right side, including two local athletes. Chelsea Faith (Mount Pulaski) and Victoria Tuttle (Hartem) are at the top of the class, closely followed by Amber Stewart and Misty Fry. Any of the four can play and will see action early. The two that step up will earn the majority of the playing time."

The Lynx mentor continued: "Mackenzie Clark and Sarah Klawitter will compete with Miller for the setter position. Two of the three will be playing as we go to the double-set attack. Klawitter is a little taller than the other two and could go into the front line if the game dictates that type of attack. Spencer Hall, Chonita Ziegler and Beth Applen round out the squad. Hall and Ziegler have shown the ability to hit and pass; however, they are behind two sophomores and will need to be patient for playing time. Applen is a defensive specialist who is getting better each time out."

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College]

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