Veteran Group Leads Team

August 17, 2007

WEATHERFORD, Okla. -- A considerable number of tests await the Southwestern Oklahoma State University volleyball team, but a group of senior veterans make for an experienced squad that should have the Bulldogs climbing up the Lone Star Conference ladder.

Although SWOSU has 11 players back and five of six starters returning from last year’s 10-22 team, coach Bo Pagliasotti hardly stayed content. The coach has brought in two highly-regarded newcomers along with two redshirts to add to the veteran mix. The combination should give the Bulldogs their best chance yet of qualifying for their first-ever LSC Tournament.

This year all 14 LSC teams will compete in a single-division format with top eight teams qualifying for the tournament. In previous years, the league was divided geographically, north and south, and the top three teams in each division made the tournament.

“We’re at an important stage in our development as a third-year program” Pagliasotti said. “No longer are we going to be satisfied with staying close with some of the better teams. I think, and our team believes, that it’s time we start beating some of them.”

Pagliasotti successfully installed in the off-season a up-tempo aggressive style on the offensive end of the court. Typically, the Bulldogs have been a read-and-react defensive-minded unit in previous years.

“It’s not about keeping the ball in play anymore,” Pagliasotti said. “We got players who can really hammer it. Our job is to get the ball in good net position where they can make plays and end points quickly.”

The Bulldogs will feature a potent front line trio of Tennessee Brown, Paula Harry and Kasandra Gurtner. This will be the fourth year the threesome has been together since beginning with Pagliasotti as freshmen at Clarendon College.

Amanda Ortega and Maddie Cummins will share back row duties as a libero. They will be joined by Janna Green who makes the switch to defensive specialist after spending her first two years as an outside hitter.

Increased playing time will likely be given to returners Amber Coles, Staci West, Kristen Kaufman, Ashley Claud and Ashley Pettit. Add redshirts Brittany Terrell and Tenaya Calhoun along with newcomers Kacia Sandburg and Stephanie Parker and Bulldogs will be assured to have enough talent and depth to make for an exciting and memorable year.

The season begins Friday, Aug. 24 with a four matches at Arkansas Tech University Classic in Russellville, Ark. The Bulldogs first home game is Tuesday, Aug. 28 against Mid-American Christian.