Sometimes, changes are for the better. Just ask the East Tennessee State Volleyball squad.
After an 8-23 season, the Lady Bucs have a new coach, a new look and a new attitude despite being ranked just ninth going into their Southern Conference season.
On Saturday, the team won its first match of the season at Virginia Tech’s Hokie Classic, defeating Campbell with a complete 3-0 victory (30-19, 30-9 and 30-16). The victory shows the girls are excited and are looking toward a successful rebuilding campaign.
“I’m real excited about (the first win),” said first-year ETSU coach Lindsey Devine. “It’s great for the team to get the first win under their belt and to get their confidence up.”
“I’m very optimistic,” she said. “We really have a brand new team with six returnees and six new freshmen. When you put those two groups together, you have to be optimistic.”
Two solid seniors returning to the team are Lissa Allen and Kate Steidle.
“We have a lot of talent and we have two great seniors in Lissa Allen and Kate Steidle, who have shown and will continue to show their ability and that they are strong players, versatile and leaders,” Devine said.
As a middle blocker, Allen, who hails from Palm Bay, Fla., has 363 total kills and 433 digs in her career thus far, with a breakout 2002 campaign where she ranked second in the conference with 112 blocks. Outside hitter Steidle, of Waynesboro , Va., led the team with 36 service aces and placed second in kills in 100 games with the team. She has 662 career kills and 547 digs.
The Lady Bucs brought in five newcomers who are already contributing to the squad. Three of the newcomers are from Canada.
Setter and right-side hitter Jennifer Sartor hails from Toronto, Ontario, right-side and outside hitter Andrea Piercy is from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and middle blocker Lauren Madzia is from London, Ontario.
They will be joined by outsider hitter Kelsey Sherich of Ogallala, Neb. and defensive specialist Kim Terrell of Charlotte, N.C.
“I think they are quickly understanding what it’s like to play at the Division I level,” Devine said.
“We are faced with the month of September and the quality of ball is very high. We played Virginia Tech this past weekend. We’re playing Indiana State , University of Tennessee, and these are all huge schools.
“So the freshmen are going to have to develop that desire and intensity within themselves so we will be competitive.”
The other returning players will be highlighted by junior libero and outside hitter Karen Freeburg of New Castle, Ind., who is joined by sophomores Sara Scandiffio, a right-side hitter from Purcellville, Va., Kristi Robinson of Knoxville, Tenn., a setter and defensive specialist and defensive specialist Marty Irvin, also of Knoxville, Tenn.
Freeburg had a solid freshman campaign with 267 kills at the outside hitter position. Last year, she was moved to libero, where her 3.87 digs per game was fourth-best in school history.
Back at outside hitter, she had a breakout weekend at Virginia Tech where she was nominated for the All-Tournament squad.
“That right there, it says it (all),” Devine said of Freeburg. “She’s a very flexible, hard working individual, so she will continue to provide a lot of offense for us.”
Robinson had to step into the setter role this season after starting her freshman season as the team’s defensive specialist. She had a stint at the setter spot last season with a team-high 69 assists against UNC Greensboro.
“She’s worked hard, and she understands what her role is on the team,” Devine said.
“Kristi Robinson’s the type of player, it doesn’t matter what role you give her, she’ll make sure she pushes herself to represent her school and represent herself.”
Scandiffio finished second on the team in blocks in 2002, with 496 total attacks. Irvin walked on last season and is expected to play a larger role this year.
The Lady Bucs will face one of their toughest non-conference schedules ever with additional tournaments at Valparaiso , Tennessee and Clemson, where they will also face Cleveland State , Michigan and Cal State Fullerton. Overall, ETSU could get a lot out of the rebuilding year, and that pleases Devine.
“I think based on our strengths, which are discipline, we’re going to be physically fit and our hope that we will outlast our competition,” she said. “Who knows, I’m excited that the girls have come and really want to play and work with ETSU.”
-HOKIE CLASSIC NOTES-
In their opening contest with Campbell , Sartor served up five aces, Robinson dished out a match-high 21 assists and Lissa Allen had nine kills. The Lady Bucs fell to Miami of Ohio and Virginia Tech to close out the tournament, despite a solid effort. ETSU was defeated 3-0 (31-29, 30-20, 30-24) by the Miami RedHawks, with the offensive struggles continuing in a 3-0 (30-25, 30-15, 30-21) loss to the Lady Hokies.
The Lady Bucs will travel to Valparaiso , Indiana for a two-day stint where they will face Indiana State , Valparaiso and Cleveland State. ETSU’s first home match is on Oct. 4 against Davidson.

Author