Dallman Mixes Youth and Veteran Foundation for 2007 Volleyball Campaign

August 20, 2007

In his second year at the helm, University of Virginia’s College at Wise head volleyball coach Steve Dallman will have to blend the influx of youth with veteran foundation for the 2007 campaign.

Dallman saw his first Lady Cavaliers’ squad finish with an 11-17 record and 7-11 mark in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.

With seven newcomers to the team including six true freshmen, UVa-Wise will not have as high of expectations placed upon them. The Lady Cavs were picked seventh of 10 teams in the presseaon AAC coaches poll with Bryan, King and Union selected in the top three spots.

“We will look as a team to reach into the top three of the league as a realistic goal,” says Dallman. “The league will be very balanced because of so many young teams.”

The coach will have the team’s top player in two-time NAIA All-Region XII and All-AAC middle blocker Natasha Viers back to lead the charge.

Viers will have to lead the other team veteran front liners senior Whittney Lane and juniors Kristen Salyer and Ruth Hoover.

The four returners will have to plug the holes in the front line left by departed seniors Kate Daub and Stacey Ringhoffer as well as AAC All-Freshman Emily Helms. The three departed players combined for 638 kills with 292 from Daub and 161 blocks with Ringhoffer having a team-high 70.

Dallman expects Viers to have a banner senior season at middle hitter. The Abingdon, Va. product was second in the AAC with a .313 hitting percentage while downing 3.94 kills per game (327 kills in 83 games). Viers posted 13 games with at least 14 kills including 29 kills against Union. The veteran added 65 blocks, 178 digs and 24 aces.

Returners Salyer and Hoover will be the top two outside hitters. One of the better outside hitters of the AAC, Salyer will be one of only Lady Cavs to go all-around the rotation. The third-year player hit 245 kills, nine double digit kill games and a season-best 24 at Montreat. Salyer added four double figure dig efforts.

Hoover, who has the highest vertical jump on the team, saw action in just one game a year ago. With a good vertical arm swing, she will be the second outside hitter.

Lane will be the top player at right side. The senior posted 75 kills and 15 blocks a year ago.

“The defense and passing will be solid and the returning trio of Cara Hamilton, Leeza Dos Santos and Britney Lawson should stabilize things on a consistent basis,” tells Dallman.

Senior Hamilton will be a primary passer and backup setter. She produced 348 assists, 178 digs and 29 aces. Tough serving and defensive specialist senior Dos Santos lined 27 aces and handed out 291 assists over the 2006 season.

Lawson, a junior, will be the libero. She paced the Lady Cavs with 319 digs including 30 against Pikeville.

“The team depth will be much improved this season,” explains Dallman. “We will be able to have people specializing on where they are good.”

This new depth will come from the influx of young talent in a large seven player recruiting class.

Tennessee High’s Sam Puryea is penciled to handle the starting setting duties in her first season.

After being named the Region D Hitter of the Year in 2006, the athletic Maggie Berry will push for court time at middle hitter. Another freshman Kaitlyn Collins can play all of the front row positions.

Sophomore Kayla Dougherty and freshman Becca Smith will both add to the depth at outside hitter. Dougherty was a two-time All-Cumberland District hitter while Smith was Lebanon’s team MVP.

The final two new Lady Cavs, Austin Short and Nancy Olinger, will both look to continue to improve and contribute on the court this fall.