Billings’ departure leaves hole in experienced volleyball team

By Madison Tinder

[email protected]

UK volleyball enters the 2014 season after a 22-9 record and a loss to Michigan State in the second round of the NCAA tournament. With nine returning players, the Cats have a wealth of experience this season.

UK will have to move on after the departure of outside hitter Whitney Billings, who was the Cats’ first ever three-time All-American nominee after leading the team with 406 kills last season. Although they are big shoes to fill, the Cats have another outside hitter waiting in the wings to shoulder some of the burden. Senior Lauren O’Connor recorded 2.18 kills per set last season along with 51 blocks. She is a threat to the opposing team because of her height and ability to hit over the opponent’s block. Her statistics were aided by a balanced Cats offense that also returns sophomore outside hitter Anni Thomasson.

Selected to the 2013 All-Southeastern Conference freshman team, Thomasson has a big, physical swing that causes problems for opposing blockers.  A freshman record-setting 30 kills and 22 digs against LSU highlighted her season and earned her SEC Player of the Week honors.

UK also returns junior outside hitter Shelby Workman. She played in all 31 matches last season and notched a career-high 13 kills against Long Beach State. Additionally, the Cats have two redshirted outside hitters on the bench in freshmen Sharay Barnes and Darian Mack.

UK will have even more experience and depth in the middle of the net. Returning junior middle-blocker Sara Schwarzwalder will be a threat to opposing teams this season. She recorded 143 kills and hit .299 last season. Schwarzwalder is also an excellent blocker, averaging 1.06 blocks per set along with 95 blocks last season.

Complimenting Schwarzwalder is junior Kayla Tronick, freshman Kaz Brown, and redshirt freshman Emily Franklin. Tronick played in 14 matches for the Cats last season. Brown was the most valuable player of the high school-aged Six Pack 16’s volleyball club, leading them to a USAC National Title in 2012. Including Franklin, the Cats have four solid options in the middle.

Returning junior setter Morgan Bergren will helm the Cats’ offense this season. Last year, Bergren led UK with 10.95 assists per set and was second on the team with 24 service aces.

To compliment Bergren, returning senior Alyssa Gergins will likely see action in matches this upcoming season. She transferred from Masters College in Santa Clara, California, before her junior year. Last season, Gergins saw action in two matches and earned All-SEC Academic team honors.

Senior defensive specialist Jackie Napper looks to be one of the top passers in the SEC this season. During the 2013 season, Napper led the team with 443 digs, averaging 3.99 per set along with 111 assists, second highest on the team. Along with Napper is redshirt sophomore defensive specialist Kelsey Wolf, who played 16 of UK’s 31 matches in 2013 and notched 83 digs.