The Roanoke College volleyball team is coming off of its 11^th winning season since the year 2000, going 19-11 in 2013.� During the season, Head Coach Blair Trail picked up her 250^th career victory, as well as brought the Maroons to their first ODAC semifinal appearance since 2009.� In 2014, the Maroons look to build on those milestones with top returners and talented newcomers.

Among the returning players are outside hitters Macey Tyree and Allison White.� Macey Tyree ranked second for the Maroons in kills in 2013, putting away 225 over the course of the season.� She also ranked second on the squad in digs with 345.� Allison White tallied 119 kills on the season with 88 digs.

"Macey is one of our senior captains and is a smart, consistent player for us," Trail said.� "She has been working very hard in the off-season.� She is a quiet player on the court, but definitely leads by example.� Allison is a very powerful player with a heavy hand and look for her to play mainly on the outside.� Being that she is a very versatile player, she may see time in the middle blocker position as well."

Also returning to the squad is middle blocker and senior captain, Sarah Long.� Long finished the season with 42 blocks, which ranked second on the team in 2014.� She also ranked third among the Maroons in kills, putting away 140.

"Sarah was plagued by a couple of injuries last season, so our goal is to keep her healthy this year," Trail noted. "The team will look to her for leadership as one of our senior captains.� Sarah will be an impact player out of the middle, enabling us to run a fast offense."

Others top returners for the Maroons are sophomore Jessica Block and junior Alexandra Martin.

"Jessie will lead our offense this fall along with Alexandra," Trail said.� "Both did a solid job last year and finished the season off on a strong note.� I look for both to come in right where they left off.� Both have solid hands and are able to distribute the ball well."

The Maroons have a large group of incoming freshmen, all of which come from competitive club teams.� Logan Graves and Kylah Blackmore should see time at the outside hitter position.

"Kylah and Logan will hopefully see plenty of playing time at outside hitter," Trail said. "Both have good arm speed and good ball placement."
Brooke Bostwick also joins the Maroon volleyball squad at middle blocker, along with Sarah Long.

"Brooke runs a fast, powerful offense that will be a big part of our game in 2014," Trail noted.

The Maroons are also bringing five student-athletes who play as defensive specialists: Micheala Malboeuf, Christen Zammit, Olivia Earls, Skylar Kendrick and Hanna Kolcz.� The Maroons are also brining in Alana Slater, a setter from Pennsylvania.

"I look for us to have solid ball control and defense in that we're bringing in five defensive specialists," said Trail. "All five have excellent form and good foot speed.� Each should see playing time as freshmen."

The Maroons open the 2014 season on an eight game away stretch.� Roanoke opens its schedule for the fifth year in a row with the Averett Invitational, where they will play Central College, William Peace, Austin College and Greeensboro.� The Maroons then go on in the next weekend to play in the Washington and Lee Invitational, where they face off against Marietta, Maryville, Birmingham Southern and Southern Virginia. �The Maroons will host the Roanoke College Maroon Classic on September 12-13, playing Methodist, Ferrum, Meredith and Mary Baldwin.

Roanoke starts ODAC play on September 17^th as they travel to take on Randolph-Macon at 7:00 PM in Ashland.� The first ODAC home game for the Maroons takes place on September 19^th, hosting Randolph College in the Bast Center.� The very next day, the Maroons host Lynchburg College in a Pack the House event, designed to fill Bast Gymnasium with the Roanoke College faithful.

Over the next weeks of the season, from September 24^th through October 21^st, the Maroons will alternate between ODAC and non-conference opponents.� The Maroons will play at home twice during that span, hosting Washington and Lee on October 15^th and Hollins on October 21^st.� The Maroons will finish their home matches on November 11^th as they host Virginia Wesleyan and Averett University.

When asked what would make 2014 a successful season, Trail noted that her players are going to have to find their roles on the court early in the season.
"For this season to be a success, we are going to need our upperclassmen to be leaders and for our freshmen to fill key positions early on.� They are going to have to play like upperclassmen, which I have no doubt they will be able to do."

The Maroons will take on Central College on Saturday August 31^st at 11:00 AM in the first game of the Averett Invitational.
�
�
�
�