Since his arrival on campus, head coach Chris Belshe has not been more excited about a team than the 2010 Presbyterian College volleyball squad. The team, comprised of eight upperclassmen (six seniors, two juniors), four sophomores, a redshirt-freshman and three rookies, has the ability to take the program to unprecedented heights during the school's final year of transition to Division I. With virtually the entire team back from a solid 2009 season and the solid impact the newcomers should make, the Blue Hose have a chance to make history despite playing their toughest competition since making the move from Division II.

The team will try to improve upon its 7-9 mark in the league. With such a strong returning squad, it should not be a problem. The Blue Hose were able to get key victories on the season a year ago, including a win at NCAA Tournament participant and Big South Tournament champion Coastal Carolina. The victory marked the second consecutive season PC had defeated the league's NCAA participant after having defeated Liberty in 2008.

MIDDLE BLOCKER

Senior Amanda Kettles leads the charge in the middle. Kettles, coming off a sold campaign that saw her finish tops on the team in attack percentage (with at least 100 attempts), has proven she is a force to be reckoned with. Kettles also led the team in total blocks and was third in aces and kills per set.

   
Redshirt-sophomore Paige Palanica played in 37 sets a year ago. After a small adjustment period, Palanica stepped up to help along the front line in fine fashion. She averaged .27 blocks per set in limited time while chipping in with 17 kills.

Incoming rookie Andrea Barman will be forced into active duty quickly after Kelsey McKee's graduation. However, at 6-3, Barman's height should give an imposing presence alongside Kettles and Palanica at the net. Barman earned all-state honors her last two seasons. She is used to winning after guiding her high school team to a third-place finish as a senior.

Helping out some of the time will be sophomore Allison Brown, who stepped in at the position a year ago to fill a void left by an injured McKee only to earn freshman all-conference accolades.

SETTER

Redshirt-senior Kilee Ruppe begins her third year with the Blue Hose after transferring from Newberry College. Last year, Ruppe dished out the third-most assists in a single season n PC's Division I tenure (1,155) and was just shy of second (1,208). Her hard work ethic has helped the team in such a brief time - and the squad has the ability to follow Ruppe's lead. With a few adjustments in the line-up, such as moving Brown back to right side, Ruppe will have plenty of options for the high-powered offense.

Versatile senior Ashley Dunlap has the ability to step in and take over if asked to do so. She currently has the fourth-most assists in a single season in Division I for PC, but has the uncanny knack of finding the right person to pass to for the open attack. Dunlap will split time as a defensive specialist as well.   

Redshirt-freshman Karlee DuBard could also see time at the position. DuBard, who came in and played well during her redshirt season, proved she could do many good things on the collegiate level during spring ball.

OUTSIDE HITTER

One of the more loaded positions for Belshe is outside hitter. The Blue Hose return senior Lisa Shelley, who led the team in kills per set (3.49), aces (43) and was second in digs (269). She posted numerous double-double games and has the potential to do so in every match for PC.

   
Sophomore Presley Mabrey finished second on the team in kills (323), kills per set (2.83) and was solid at the net with 19 blocks. Mabrey earned all-freshman team honors and should help the Blue Hose be even more of a threat on the outside in 2010.

   
Junior Lindsey Harris came on strong during the second half of the 2009 campaign, earning multiple starts despite playing just 34 sets. Her .235 attack percentage was second on the team. Fellow third-year player Haley Thurmond also played in 34 sets and started the first part of the year. A consistent htter, Thurmond proved to be a solid option on the outside.

   
Redshirt-sophomore Rachel Rutan has continued to work hard during her time at PC and has improved steadily. She will be in the mix for time on the court.  Caroline Cann, who proved to be a tremendous player at nearby Landrum H.S. She has the ability to step in and help immediately.

RIGHT SIDE

   
Brown is the only true right-side hitter that PC has on the 2010 squad. However, with the plays that she made in the middle in 2009, the 2010 campaign should be even better for Brown and PC. At 6-0, Brown has the height and has increased her leaping ability, which will open up the rest of the court.

   
In 2009, Brown earned all-freshman team honors. She also finished fourth on the team with 222 kills (1.95 kills/set). Brown also stuffed 50 shots, including 13 solo blocks. She has the uncanny knack of getting her hands in the right place at the net while also finding the open spot on the court to secure the point for her team.

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST/LIBERO

   
Returning is three-year starter Elizabeth Heineman. A year ago, she tallied a team-best 415 digs (3.64 digs/set). Heineman has posted over 1,300 digs during her career and has an outside chance at becoming the first player to record 2,000 digs in her career.

   
Fellow senior Carolyn Fabros came on strong in 2009, playing in 68 sets. She notched 100 digs on the year and also had four aces. Although the numbers did not show it, her attitude was infectious amongst her teammates, helping PC at various times throughout the year.

   
Dunlap, who notched 200 digs in 2009 (1.75 digs/set) and played in every set, could also be a valuable piece of the puzzle at libero. Her ability to play numerous positions helped the team play to its strength in every set.

   
Harris could also switch from outside hitter to defensive specialist if needed. A solid defensive player, she can sense where she needs to be in order to get the dig that her team needs to keep the play alive.

   
DuBard could see time here as could incoming rookie Mary Trimpe. DuBard has a great nose for the ball while Trimpe is a relentless worker on the court.

SCHEDULE 

The Blue Hose open the season with 12 straight games away from the friendly confines of the Templeton Center. Belshe's team begins the year on Aug. 31 at Furman. From there, the team will head to Mercer's "Bear Brawl," for three matches. In addition to the host, the team will also take on The Citadel and UT-Martin.

   
After a date at the College of Charleston, PC flies to Peoria Ill., for three matches at the CEFCU Classic. The Blue Hose will take on Valparaiso, Bradley and Hofstra. A contest at Western Carolina is a mid-week battle prior to the Kennesaw State tournament that features the host Owls, Ohio State and Troy.

   
The Blue Hose will then entertain South Carolina State in the first of three straight home matches. Liberty and Bethune-Cookman follow SCSU. From that point on in the season, PC will not host another non-conference game while only stepping outside of Big South Conference play for a Saturday matinee contest at ETSU Oct. 23.