August 25, 2009 - This weekend, the Hillsdale College volleyball team will serve up the start to its 2009 season by participating in the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs Tournament. Four matches in two days will mark the beginning of what the Charger players and coaches hope will be a return to the top spot in the GLIAC South Division.

That's exactly where the conference coaches expect the Chargers to finish. Hillsdale was picked to finish first in the GLIAC South Division for the fourth year in a row in the preseason coaches poll, released by the conference office today. Hillsdale and Wayne State each received 22 poll points, but the Chargers received three first-place votes, compared to two for the Warriors.

Ashland was picked to finish third in the South, followed by Northwood, Findlay and Tiffin. Grand Valley State University, a Final Four team a year ago, was picked to win the North Division with four first-place votes. Northern Michigan got two first-place votes and was picked to finish second, while 2008 regional finalist Saginaw Valley State was picked third.

In 2008, the Chargers lost their two-year stranglehold on the South Division title. In 2006 and 2007, Hillsdale went a combined 32-2 in GLIAC matches, easily winning the South Division both years. But last year, home losses to Northwood and Wayne State in the regular season's final weekend knocked the team to a third-place finish, and ultimately, a first-round exit in the GLIAC Tournament.

But the 2009 team is determined to put Hillsdale back on top, and a roster that is well-balanced with talent could lead the team there.

Seniors Emily Bennett and Hannah Barrett have been mainstays in the front row for the Chargers. Bennett led the GLIAC in hitting percentage last season and was named honorable mention All-Conference.

Junior libero Sydney Dow distinguished herself as one of the best at her position in the conference last season. She led the GLIAC in total digs during the regular season, and was named Second-Team All-GLIAC. Junior Amanda Bigney returns as a strong outside hitter for the team, and can give the team consistent scoring from her spot on the court. Junior Rachel VanderWall will spend the first month of the season recovering from offseason surgery, but was playing her best volleyball of her career during the team's spring practice sessions.

The sophomore class, already loaded with five very talented players, was reinforced with the addition of Amanda Geelhoed, who sat out her second season with the program in 2008 with an injury. Her medical redshirt year from last year now makes her a sophomore with three years of eligibility left. She adds court awareness and strength to the team's collection of middle hitters.

Sophomore Ashlee Crowder produced 333 kills last season, a record for a freshman at Hillsdale. She was named the GLIAC Freshman of the Year, the first Charger in five years to receive the honor.

Sophomore Morgan Podkul tied Dow for the team's lead in sets played, and was a consistent presence as a defensive specialist. Sophomore Clara Leutheuser, another middle hitter, was second to Bennett in the GLIAC in hitting percentage, and is athletic with a quick-hitting style of play.

Sophomore Apryl Schmucker moves into the team's starting setter role, one very ably filled by Stephanie Booms over the past four seasons. Schmucker has soft hands, a lethal serve and can play as a right-side hitter in certain lineup combinations. Sophomore Brogan Wells will play a bigger role on the team this year as both a setter and defensive specialist. Wells was the setter on a state championship team in high school, and has an outstanding work ethic.

Two freshman join the roster this season, and both could work their ways into the lineup. Kaleigh Shuster is an outside hitter who can also play in the back row, and is very athletic. Lauren Grover stands 6-feet 2-inches tall, and combines power and foot quickness to give the team another dimension in the middle.

Hillsdale's toughest opponent at the Colorado Springs Tournament figures to be Wayne State of Nebraska, ranked 25th in the AVCA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Chargers will play in a second preseason tournament, at the University of Findlay, Sept. 4 and 5.

The 2009 Hillsdale College volleyball media guide is now available to view. The links below lead you to the media guide, the GLIAC preseason poll and live stats for the team's first tournament of the season.

2009 Charger volleyball media guide

2009 GLIAC Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll

2009 AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll


Live stats for the Colorado Springs Tournament