UAPB VOLLEYBALL EXCITED FOR NEW YEAR

UAPB Volleyball

Pine Bluff, ARK (Aug. 17). – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff women volleyball team was back in action Monday at the H.O. Clemmons Arena, signaling the official start to the 2015 season. This will be the first season under Head Coach Dustin Sahlmann, who arrives at UAPB after a successful campaign as the assistant head coach/ recruiting coordinator at Louisiana Tech College.

The Lady Lions finished the 2014 regular season in second place in the Western Division of the Souhtwestern Athletic Conference with a 6-2 conference record. Their stellar season came to a premature end as the tournament sleeper lost 3-0 in the quarterfinals match to Alabama St after knocking off the Western Division Champions Texas Southern 3-2 in the second round.

The Lady Lions lost four starters, including All-SWAC Ashlie Jones. However, 10 letter winners return to lead the 2015 squad, including the 2014 All-SWAC second teamer Whitney Harris. Sahlmann believes it will be the combined experiences of the upperclassmen that will provide direction for the squad, but he acknowledges that he'll look to his captains to provide the most leadership.

"I think all of our upperclassmen have some level of leadership that we are all going to look forward to," Sahlmann said. "Because they have all had different experiences, they all can provide a level of leadership to our younger kids who have come in.
Harris, who returns for her third season at UAPB, is ready for the season and is excited for the changes that lie ahead. The Lady Lions are entering their first season under head coach Dustin Sahlmann, who brings a plethora of success and 20 plus years of experience to the program.
"I think everyone has a good mindset coming in that we're going to grow and we're going to learn together," Harris said. "We're learning all of [Sahlmann] drills and all of his coaching styles, and he's learning about us as players. I think it's a big learning experience, and I think its fun to try new things and get better."

Along with Harris, the Lady Lions return senior Ayanna Parker, senior Courtney Billups, senior Kayla Dowdell, junior Courtney Brand, sophomore Lauren Corby, sophomore Jade Sanlin, sophomore Valiyah Barnes, sophomore Alexis Smith, and sophomore Sydney Stanmore. The Lady Lions welcome newcomers setters Jenna Wuzinski and Katy Hufnogel, and outside hitter Natalie Gibbs Nicole. Sahlmann is looking forward to the prospect of learning what each newcomer has to offer and how they will fit into the new system.

"I'm excited for all of our newcomers," Sahlmann said. "They all bring something different; they are really talented and come from good programs. Some pass really well, some hit really well. So it's the fun of taking their strengths and trying to find a way to maximize them to make sure, we as a team are going the direction we need to go."

The Lady Lions begin their 2015 season on the road as they travel to Starkville, MS. to participate in the Bulldog Classic. UAPB will face Mississippi St. on Aug. 28 at 12 p.m., Southern Utah University on Aug. 28 at 4 p.m. and University of Louisiana Monroe on Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. UAPB will face University of Arkansas at Monticello in their home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. at H.O. Clemmons Arena

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Players Mentioned

#2 Lauren Corby: OH/RS; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#3 Jade Sanlin: DS/L; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#4 Ayanna Parker: RS; 5' 9"; Senior

#5 Kayla Dowdell: OH/RS; 5' 10"; Senior

#8 Valiyah Barnes: MB/OH; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#11 Whitney Harris: MB; 6' 1"; Junior

#12 Courtney Brand: DS/L; 5' 6"; Junior

#13 Alexis Smith: RS; 6' 1"; Junior

#17 Sydney Stanmore: DS/L; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#1 Ashlie Jones: OH/MB; 5' 10"; Graduate Student

#9 Katy Hufnagel: S; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#6 Jenna Wuzinski: S/DS; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#2 Lauren Corby
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: OH/RS

#3 Jade Sanlin
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: DS/L

#4 Ayanna Parker
: 5' 9"; Senior
: RS

#5 Kayla Dowdell
: 5' 10"; Senior
: OH/RS

#8 Valiyah Barnes
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MB/OH

#11 Whitney Harris
: 6' 1"; Junior
: MB

#12 Courtney Brand
: 5' 6"; Junior
: DS/L

#13 Alexis Smith
: 6' 1"; Junior
: RS

#17 Sydney Stanmore
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: DS/L

#1 Ashlie Jones
: 5' 10"; Graduate Student
: OH/MB

#9 Katy Hufnagel
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: S

#6 Jenna Wuzinski
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: S/DS