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Volleyball Team 2017
Steve Simoneau

Volleyball Athletic Communications

Season Preview: 5 Things to Know about Hatter Volleyball

The 2017 Stetson volleyball season gets underway Friday night.  As the Hatters prepare to host Central Connecticut State at 7 p.m., here are five things you need to know about this year's volleyball squad.

1. The newcomers outnumber the returners.  

That's right, the Hatters return seven players from last year's squad and welcome eight newcomers to the program, including two junior transfers and six freshmen.  Added into the mix is a new coaching staff with first-year head coach Yang Deng and assistant coach Aaron King.  

That roster make-up made the first few days of practice interesting with everybody quickly trying to get to know everyone else.  However, time spent both on and off the court, including team activities, projects and meals helped develop a good chemistry, and the Hatters have been moving forward ever since.

"The team is coming together very well," Deng said.  "That was one of my major concerns because we have so many new players, but everyone is very supportive of each other."

2. Team chemistry starts with strong leadership.

Shelby Connors is the Hatters' lone senior on the team, and while she has and continues to play a significant leadership role, she does not have to carry the responsibility all by herself.  

"Everyone is really excited and supportive of me being the only senior," Connors said.  "I think it is a great we can all do it together.  Even though I am the only senior, I kind of forget about that.  (My teammates) are there for me the whole time."

In addition, Deng instituted a big sister/little sister system, where the upperclassmen each adopted one or two younger players to help them adjust to the start of college life.

"Our upperclassmen have done an excellent job helping the younger girls," Deng said. "There are a lot of new things that they are facing, so that helps relieve some of the stress.

"(The upperclassmen) also help me, even with the little things, like how we stretch together, how we communicate, how we hustle back to the court after water breaks.  Everyone may come in with a different habit, but I want to make sure we have a clear structure so everybody is on the same page."

3. The Hatters have depth throughout the roster.

"I think a major strength of the team is our depth," Deng said.  "That means everybody brings their unique talent to that spot.  So I have the ability to bring in different people at different times to see if it makes an impact.  It also makes it challenging for the other team because everyone coming in is going to be a little different."

Stetson has quite a bit of experience at middle blocker, where Shelby Connors enters the season as the active blocks leader in the entire ASUN Conference (302 total blocks).  Junior Julie Varga also played some middle last year (as well as outside and right side), and the two junior transfers, Hao Jin (Missouri) and Brianna Schmid (Robert Morris), also play middle. 

The Hatters have four returners at the pins - Anna Bezhan, Eva Deisa, Charlotte Earnhart and Varga, while freshmen Rebecca Ingram (right side) and Riley Nieporte (left side) add even more depth to the group.

A young but talented back row features sophomore Danielle Sink along with freshmen Naina Ivanova, Alexis Lahner and Chelcie Spence.

Sophomore Karmen Reivik returns at setter and is joined by freshmen Jenna Boland and Ivanova.

4. Naina Ivanova shows her versatility.

Bulgaria native Naina Ivanova started preseason at the libero position, but with recent injuries to both Reivik and Boland - Ivanova has been practicing at setter this week and may start there Friday night.

"Naina is embracing the position really well," Deng said.  "She hasn't been setting for two or three years, but she is starting to pick it back up.  Her calmness and knowing how to play the game helps her a lot."

5. It's nice to start at home.

Stetson will open the season at home for the first time since 2001.  In fact, the Hatters will play six matches in a row at the Edmunds Center (hosting two tournaments) before heading to Houston on Sept. 8.

"Yes, there is definitely an advantage (to opening at home)," Deng said.  "Obviously, you want to start the season by winning and you have home court advantage, but it helps us by being in a comfortable environment instead of playing in a new environment.  So being home these two weekends helps."

The season begins Friday as the Hatters host the Stetson Invitational.  Fans can visit the Tournament Central web page for a full schedule including links to live stats and ESPN3 broadcasts of Stetson matches.  Evan Weston and Cheryl Carlson will call the action.

Stetson Invitational tickets are on sale for $8 per day and can be purchased at the Edmunds Center box office or through the Hatter Ticket Office web page.

Fans can also follow the Hatters all season long on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For immediate updates on news and scores, fans can sign up for the HatCheck text messaging service.

 
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Players Mentioned

Anna Bezhan

#7 Anna Bezhan

OH
5' 10"
Junior
Shelby Connors

#11 Shelby Connors

MB
6' 2"
Senior
Eva Deisa

#23 Eva Deisa

OH
5' 10"
Sophomore
Charlotte Earnhart

#10 Charlotte Earnhart

OH/RS
5' 10"
Junior
Karmen Reivik

#5 Karmen Reivik

S
5' 11"
Sophomore
Danielle Sink

#9 Danielle Sink

L
5' 4"
Sophomore
Julie Varga

#16 Julie Varga

RS/OH
6' 0"
Junior
Hao Jin

#22 Hao Jin

MB
6' 2"
Junior
Jenna Boland

#1 Jenna Boland

S
5' 10"
Freshman
Riley Nieporte

#8 Riley Nieporte

OH
5' 9"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Anna Bezhan

#7 Anna Bezhan

5' 10"
Junior
OH
Shelby Connors

#11 Shelby Connors

6' 2"
Senior
MB
Eva Deisa

#23 Eva Deisa

5' 10"
Sophomore
OH
Charlotte Earnhart

#10 Charlotte Earnhart

5' 10"
Junior
OH/RS
Karmen Reivik

#5 Karmen Reivik

5' 11"
Sophomore
S
Danielle Sink

#9 Danielle Sink

5' 4"
Sophomore
L
Julie Varga

#16 Julie Varga

6' 0"
Junior
RS/OH
Hao Jin

#22 Hao Jin

6' 2"
Junior
MB
Jenna Boland

#1 Jenna Boland

5' 10"
Freshman
S
Riley Nieporte

#8 Riley Nieporte

5' 9"
Freshman
OH