The 2003 edition of Lady Bulldog Volleyball will kick off its season tonight in Corvallis, Oregon, at the Oregon State University Volleyball Showcase tournament. The Bulldogs will play Northern Arizona, Oregon State and Gonzaga in the tourney before heading back home for their home-opening tournament next weekend.
The Dawgs return five of six starters and all but one player from last year’s squad–team kills leader, Misty Hubenthal. In Hubenthal’s absence, head coach Brenda Bowlin will look for other members of the squad to pick up the slack.
“On this team, there are a lot of girls who can step up,” Bowlin said. “With all 12 players on this team able to play, I think it gives us a much more balanced attack and makes us more dangerous than having one go-to player.”
The Lady Dawgs will be looking to use this campaign to improve on last year’s 10-20 (1-15 Southeastern Conference) record. Although the Bulldogs were persistent in their 2002 attack, injury kept them coming up short in the win column. With six seniors, an outstanding sophomore in Rachel Cooper, and wild-card sophomore Jami Hester, this team has a chance to make some noise in the SEC
“Staying healthy will be the key,” Bowlin observed. “I mean, we have the seniors, we have the talent, and we have the experience. If we can just stay healthy, I think the winning will take care of itself.”
This is a season four years in the making. This year’s squad boasts six senior members, the most in the history of Mississippi State, and all are ready to make a difference in the way this season’s history is written.
“This is a really special class,” Bowlin stated. “To have six girls to play together from freshman to senior is just wonderful. They are ready to make their mark on this team; that’s why they came here. I expect them all to really step up this season.”
The Senior Six-Jennifer Hadden, Lauren Bounds, Jennifer Rousey, Hilary Chambers, Tanika Taylor, and Nicole Broome-have all had great careers up to this point. Co-captain Jennifer Rousey leads the team in career kills (501), and blocks (187), while another co-captain, Jennifer Hadden, leads the team in career assists (1850) and aces (57).
“We’re the majority,” says Co-Captain Tanika Taylor, who leads the Bulldogs in career digs (764). “If anyone is gonna get it done, it’s got to be us. We just have to lead by example.”
The Bulldogs face a tough SEC schedule. With trips slated to Alabama and Arkansas, the Bulldogs will hope to make the best of their home schedule, which includes Tennessee, Georgia and perennial powerhouse Florida.
“Ole Miss is our SEC opener. Last year we got drilled up there in front of a packed house,” Bowlin recalled. “We open up with them and Tennessee on the road, so after that we ought to know where we are as a team, and what we need to work on.”
The SEC is a strong conference, but these VolleyDawgs have the team in place to have an outstanding season.
“We have a lot of chemistry-a good diverse team, and lots of leadership. We just need to play together as a team,” Hadden said.