Montgomery, Ala. – The three-time defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion, Alabama State volleyball team wrapped up its first week of practice for the 2019 campaign on Friday.
The Lady Hornets reported on campus on Sunday, Aug. 4 for move in and began practicing on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Head coach
Penny Lucas-White enters her ninth season at the helm, boasting a 165-136 record at Alabama State.
"I'm pleased with the overall shape the girls came back in," Lucas-White said. "I'm more pleased with the quality that has come into the gym, freshmen and newcomers. I am further ahead at this point in the preseason than I have been in a number of years."
Additionally, on Tuesday prior to practice, the team traveled to Friendship Mission Women's Shelter to help out around the complex.
KEY RETURNERS
Alabama State returns eight players from last season including 2018 SWAC Volleyball All-Tournament team selections
Bayle' Bennett and
Krysta Medearis.
"The returners are really setting the tone at every practice," Lucas-White said. "Not only are they setting the tone but they are leading by example in work ethic. Also, their leadership skills have really come to fruition to the point where things that are normal for a coach to say in a drill, I do not have to say anything. The returners have really taken ownership of the team and are designing the message for this season."
Bennett, 2018 All-SWAC First Team selection played in all 41 matches as well as all 142 sets last season. The senior led the team and finished third in conference in kills (384) averaging 2.70 per set while also being second on the team in service aces with 34. In the SWAC Volleyball championship game last season, Bennett posted a 20-kill and 10-dig performance to help her earn the Tournament MVP.
Medearis, 2018 All-SWAC Second Team selection played in all 41 matches and 142 sets. She finished second on the team and seventh in the conference in kills (366) averaging 2.58 kills per set while finishing third on the team in blocks with 68. To begin the 2018 season, Medearis posted a season-high 20 kills alongside eight digs in the 3-2 win over NCCU. In the 2018 SWAC Volleyball championship game she tallied 17 kills with a .289 hitting percentage to help her land on the All-Tournament team.
NEWCOMERS – 2019 Roster
The Lady Hornets brought in 11 new players for the 2019 ledger in six freshmen –
Emersen Belles,
Sanae Martin,
Madison Beasley,
Rekiyah Spears,
Courtney Brown and
Kimari Terrell alongside five transfers –
Morgan Weatherwax,
Alexandria Wiggins,
Maya Jones,
E'laisah Young and
McKenzie Boland.
"When they walk on the court, you can tell that they are comfortable," Lucas-White said. "They are doing a fabulous job in working hard, learning the new system and they have embraced the way I teach them and they have applied it and we have seen quick results already. I am very happy of their demeanor in practice."
FOLLOW THE HORNETS
For complete coverage of Alabama State University volleyball, follow the Hornets on social media at @BamaStateVB (Twitter), @BamaStateSports (Instagram) and /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at www.BamaStateSports.com
