If North Carolina A&T volleyball opponents are looking for a scouting report on the Aggies prior to the 2010 season, they have a difficult task ahead. More than any other team in the MEAC, the 2010 Aggies have undergone a major transformation.
The information about the Aggies stretches from Colorado to Texas to Illinois and North Carolina. But the only information available is found from either club play or high school action. As head coach Toni Conway heads into her second season at the helm of the Aggies program, she has understandably taken the program in a different direction.
RECONSTRUCTION
N.C. A&T has won just 17 matches over the last three seasons with the 2009 season being the worst in school history at 2-31. Therefore, the 2010 Aggies will not resemble their recent predecessors. The Aggies enter this season with nine freshmen, one sophomore and a senior. Outside of senior defensive specialist/setter Amber Inman, the combined total of collegiate games played by this season's Aggies is 19.
"One of the major things we wanted were players who have had exposure to competition,'' said Conway. "All of the young ladies coming in have played club or Junior Olympic ball more than five or six years. That's already a big difference than what we've had recently."
Another factor in reconstructing the Aggies program was size. The average height of the 2009 Aggies was 5-foot-7. With the new additions, the Aggies now boast a roster with an average height of 5-10. The 2010 roster also includes three six-footers.
"It was not only about getting size, but we needed athleticism as well,'' said Conway. "We can now not only play against teams with size, but there are times when our athleticism will also be an advantage."
THE NEWCOMERS
Perhaps the perfect example for the Aggies' focus on athleticism and height is freshman Chicago native Tatiana Cooper, a 5-11 freshman out of Trinity High School. Joining her at the outside hitter position are freshmen Mia Gray (5-9, Glen Heights, Texas) out of De Sota High and Devonte' Reese (5-9, Henderson, N.C.) out of Webb High.
N.C. A&T's middle also looks more imposing. Conway believes 6-0 sophomore Andrea Evans has developed into a player who can be an offensive weapon for N.C. A&T. Evans' off-season work has transformed from a part-time player into a key part of the Aggies game plan. Freshman Jeana Daniels, a 6-footer out of Humble, Texas, is an accurate hitter who should provide more muscle in the middle.
On the right side, freshman Maya Louis should develop into one of the best weapons in the conference as she matures as a player. Conway expects Louis, the Washington, D.C. Player of the Year, to be an immediate impact along the defensive front. Six-foot freshman Elisha Boyer (Lithia Springs, Ga.) will share the right side responsibilities with Louis. Evans, who outside of Inman is the Aggies only other returning player, will also spend some time on the right side of the Aggies offense.
Conway will also have a new person running her offense. A year ago because of personnel issues, the Aggies used Inman at setter. Inman ranked eighth in the conference in assists with 6.95 per game. She also averaged 1.76 digs per game. But the downside was Inman's 5-4 height. Opponents had an easier time hitting at the net when Inman played on the frontline.
Inman will get help this season with the addition of Chelsea Fox. Fox is a 5-10 native of Parker, Colo., where she attended Chaparral. Inman will also be used defensively as a specialist. Defensive specialist Breana Gause (5-10, Ash, N.C.). Gause comes to N.C. A&T after being named the Female Athlete of the Year at West Brunswick High School. She earned the honor because she was also a track and field star. Murphye Williams, a 5-8 freshman out of Blythewood, S.C., will also contribute defensively at libero.
"We've made great progress over the last few months,'' said Conway, a former N.C. A&T volleyball player. "We have met some really good athletes in the process, but I think the athletes we brought in, are the type of players that match the spirit of the school and our wants and desires for the program."
