Volleyball Preview: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
SWAC.org
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
2012 RECORD: 10-16 (5-3 SWAC) / 3rd West Division
Head Coach: Kyetta May
KEY LOSSES:
Michelle Fiala - MB
After finishing 4-22 in 2011, University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff showed improvement under first-year head coach Kyetta May in 2012.
The Lady Lions closed out the season 10-16 with a 5-3 mark in the SWAC to enter conferene postseason tournament play.
UAPB's hope on taking another step into becoming a team to contend for the West Division will rest on the production on offense.
With the loss of one significant starter, UAPB's maturation will fall on the play of outside hitter, Alicia Campbell, and middle blocker, Audrey Sherles.
Campbell was named All-SWAC last season landing on the league's postseason second team.
She finished second in the SWAC in service aces with 87 and was named player of the week last November. Her ability to score on the serve posted the Lady Lions a second-place ranking in service aces (1.74/G) in the conference. Campbell also tallied 208 kills averaging 2.39 per game.
Shereles also garnered a player of the week award in late October and led the Lady Lions in kills (225), blocks (13) and starts (25).
In order to become a Western power, UAPB will have to close out the season strong and post upsets within the division.
2013 PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Audrey Sherles - MB
Jordan Foyer - S
Ashlie Jones - MB
Alicia Campbell - OH