Antler expected to redshirt first year at LSSU

NEWS RELEASE

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

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Lakers will take a young team into 2006

LSSU opens season Aug. 25 at NMU

SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State volleyball coach Mark Engle would normally be pretty nervous heading into a season with no seniors and only two juniors.

Although he has a few questions that have to be answered due to the departure of five seniors and a junior, Engle is excited about the future of Laker volleyball.

"We are young, but our versatility is as good as it's ever been," noted Engle, who is heading into his 12th season. "We're not real big, and we're not overpowering. But we're fast and pretty versatile."

LSSU returns juniors Jamie Groos and Ashley Wyers, and sophomores Brishia Stroven, Erin McLain, Ellie Buzzell and Trisha Dutton.

Groos (5-10) and Wyers (5-10) will be joined by freshman Sara Hess (6-0) at the middle position. Wyers missed last season due to knee surgery, while Groos was one of the most-improved players on the team.

"We hope that Wyers is physically able to go through a season and put up some numbers," Engle said. "Groos finished in the top 10 in league blocking last season. We had to play our spring season without a libero and Jamie played in the back row and some outside hitter for the first time in college."

McLain took over as LSSU's setter last season and totaled 1,123 assists, which ranked sixth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, third on Lake State's all-time single-season list and was the most-ever by a Laker freshman. This season, McLain and redshirt freshman Liz Holden will likely share that position. Freshman setter Kt Antler is expected to redshirt this season, as is Samantha Gibbs (6-0 MH). Last year's back-up setter, Dutton, will move to outside hitter. "Holden is also a good libero," noted Engle, who will also look at freshman Jessica Ewer who is a very good ball-handler. "We may experiment with a 6-2 offense to give Erin McLain a chance to hit. Buzzell, who was the back-up libero last season, will move to outside hitter.

"A question is, `Who is going to replace Vanessa Vincent?'" said Engle of the All-GLIAC hitter who finished her career with 1,245 kills. "She was our best all-around player. We have to look for someone with all-around skills. We have freshmen who have the potential to step in and play at high level."

Among those candidates are redshirt freshman Ali Jones (5-10), Ewer (5-10) and freshman Holly Orban (5-11). They will join returnees Stroven, Buzzell and Dutton.

"Jones' footwork and arm swing are a lot better," Engle said. "All of the returning players looked a lot more confident last spring. Orban is strong, and Ewer has a ton of club experience. All of the freshmen are `volleyball mature.'"

Engle will take a young team into the always-tough GLIAC North Division, which includes defending national champion Grand Valley State.

"The defending national champion is in our conference, and they didn't go undefeated in our league," Engle said. "The conference title was up for grabs until the end, and the all-conference team included a lot of underclassmen. It's going to be tough.

"I'm pretty optimistic about the fact that we are a young team, but we have key people with experience and freshmen who are as capable as anyone we've had in a while."

LSSU opens the 2006 season on Friday, Aug. 25, at the Northern Michigan Tournament. The Lakers play host to Davenport at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7, in their home opener.

GLIAC Pre-Season Coaches Poll North Division 1. Grand Valley State (6), 36 2. Northwood (1), 28 3. Ferris State, 26 4. Northern Michigan, 21 5. Michigan Tech, 18 6-tie. Lake Superior State, 9 6-tie. Saginaw Valley State, 9

South Division 1. Hillsdale (4), 23 2-tie. Ashland (1), 20 2-tie. Findlay (1), 20 4. Wayne State, 13 5. Mercyhurst, 9 6. Gannon, 5

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