The Spring Hill College volleyball team kicked off its 2017 season under head coach Peggy Martin with a win on the Hill against Mississippi College.
The team opened the season with a 4-2 record and has been picked to win the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) West for the third season in a row. Although the team consists of mostly underclassmen, six freshmen and eight sophomores, Coach Martin has confidence in her athletes’ abilities, specifically in leadership. “In each class we have someone that is very vocal, many of them lead by example,” said Martin.
After losing four starters this season, Coach Martin stressed the importance of teamwork. “I really want us to focus on being a team. It’s not about winning or the success you can achieve, it’s about pulling together and as long as we do that then everything else will follow.” Winning is important but there is no “I” in team. With this in mind, Coach Martin considers all matches to be equal in importance no matter who they are playing. “In volleyball every game is key,” expressed Martin, “It’s the one game where if you make an error, you score for your opponent.” Opponents may not score every time, but limiting mistakes and working together can make or break a team.
The 2017 SHC volleyball team consists of 20 players; Freshmen: Paige Papas, Allison Weimer, Rebecca Moore, Mary Keller, Ryan Horkavy, and Angele McClain. Sophomores: Payton Gidney, Emmarose Neibert, Brittany Bilotti, Cassidi Sterrett, Emily Sullivan, Patty Blood, Sara Senft, and Taylor Hurst. Juniors: Hannah Fromdahl, Emily Greim, Morgan Eiland, Grace Herrington, Randi De’Armitt and Senior Katelyn Bobinger. The team is lead by head coach Peggy Martin, assistant coach Shawn Tyler and student assistant Landon Lake.
The SHC volleyball team has completed seven out of eight seasons with a winning record under Coach Martin; a total of 218 wins and 55 loses. The Lady Badgers were the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) West Champs in 2010 and 2011, as well as SSAC Regular Season Champs in 2012 and 2013. Two Badgers were also voted on this year by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors to be on the 2017 Preseason All-Conference Team. Sophomore Sarah Senft was named to the first team and sophomore Cassidi Sterrett made the second team roster. Only seven players total were allowed for each.
The Spring Hill College Badgers will be continuing their season by competing in the SIAC Crossover Tournament in Birmingham, Ala., on Sept. 21-23. Junior Nick Meinhardt said he is looking forward to the rest of the year, “They have only had one game on campus so far, but I am excited to see how far they will go.” The Badgers have 18 conference and 10 non-conference matches left for the regular season.