Montgomery, Ala. - Faulkner Women's Volleyball returns to action soon for the 2024 season.They enter this season ranked #8 in the SSAC Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Poll. Take a look at this year's roster as the Lady Eagles have a strong returning core. They bring in some well-versatile newcomers who look to mesh with the returners to have a turnaround from last season.
Returners
The Lady Eagles return 11 players from last year's team. The returners consist of five seniors five juniors and one sophomore.
Hannah Bryan returns for her fifth year after earning her third second-team ALL-SSAC award. Bryan had 181 kills with 2.32 per set in the outside hitter position.
"Hannah has been a core player for us since started as a freshman." Head Coach
Tori Renda said. "She has been a six-rotation anchor for us. She brings a lot of power experience and composure."
Macy Kemper is another fifth-year returner for the Lady Eagles. Kemper returns to action this season after missing out on last year due to injuries. As a defensive specialist, she looks to pick up from previous seasons with career highs of 163 digs in 2020 and 172 assists in 2022.
"I'm excited about Macy's return. She had an injury and we thought it could be career-ending. So, I'm thrilled to have her back on the court. She can play in the DS/Libero spot or be a setter so we can get her back on the court to feel her out and see where her strengths are after being out for the past year."
Ashton McCullar comes back after a stellar season for Faulkner. She had 373 digs and 59 assists as the primary libero. She will be a senior this season for the Lady Eagles.
"Ashton is quiet, but an anchor in the back court and is solid on both sides of the ball. Very few errors in service and reception as the libero position."
Rhiannon Keck returns for her senior year after coming off a 101.5-point season and 106 digs at the outside hitter position.
"Rhiannon is a big personality, high energy and one of the best encouraging teammates I have ever coached. That is what she brings to the floor on top of being a strong athlete in her own right."
Another Lady Eagle returning for their senior season is Victoria Wheeler. Wheeler heads into the season looking to build from her stellar performance last year. She had 240.5 points and 204 kills as the middle blocker.
"Victoria is a silent leader. She is not the one that will be in your face. She will go out there and do her job and lead by example and expect you to do yours. Victoria is a big key player in the middle for us.
Mandi Hart takes the floor this year in her junior season. She is heading into the season after last year with 205 digs and 532 assists as a setter.
"We are looking forward to getting Mandi back on the court. She has been cleared from her injury and we can't wait to get her back doing reps. She is a returning starting setter and I am excited to have her back."
Kendall Rice returns for her junior season after having 34 kills with 1.13 kills per set in her sophomore year as a right-side hitter.
"Kendall is a six-foot lefty and when she is on it is pure excitement. The girl touches right under ten feet. She has a whip of an arm and when we are in our system she is lethal.
Kolbi Bates looks to add to her tremendous season last year where she had 184 digs and 16 assists as a defensive specialist.
"Kolbi is a fantastic person in her own right and then on the floor, she has grown leaps and bounds in internal confidence and headspace. She is doing her job and you can tell she loves it and is a great teammate."
Ellie Cyr is another upcoming junior for the Lady Eagles. Cyr looks to start right where she finished the season last year at the setter spot. She had 373 assists and 17 kills.
"Ellie has been putting in work like it is her job this summer. She is ready to take the floor by storm. Looking forward to not only having her on the floor in a setting roll but a swinging role as well."
Charlee Jordan is the last junior returning for the Lady Eagles this season. She played outside hitter and middle blocker last season where she had 175 kills and 66 digs.
"Charlee is the biggest selfless person I know. She is all about what the team needs. She will play middle and outside for us. She has a big athletic leap and a strong arm. Charlee can change what is going on in the game just based on her abilities and what she can control."
Jaylyn Strength is the lone sophomore returner for the Lady Eagles. Strength had 90 digs in last year's season. She opened up her career with 13 digs against Keiser.
"Jaylyn is a defensive player for us who grew leaps and bounds this past year. She became a serving specialist for us and grew confidently in that role and I was proud to see that"
Newcomers
The Lady Eagles have six newcomers on this season's roster. They consist of five freshmen and one sophomore transfer.
Allyse Rudolph joins the program as a sophomore after spending a year at Calhoun Community College where she had 338 kills and 205 digs.
Aubrie Hinson is one of five freshmen joining the Lady Eagles this year. She looks to start her college career where she left off at Blountstown High School. In her senior year at Blountstown, she had 301 kills with 3.2 kills per set.
Madison Martin starts her freshman year after graduating from Edgewood Academy where she had 236 kills and 77 blocks.
Anna Prempramot might be a familiar face as she joins the Lady Eagles after graduating from Alabama Christian Academy. In her senior season she earned All-Area Team honors.
Riley Deem joins the Lady Eagles after graduating this past year. She played for Florida High School where she had 125 kills and 33 blocks.
Chasity Broadhead is the final newcomer for the Lady Eagles this year. She joins the program after spending her high school career at Calera High School where she was named Team Captain and won the Journey Shaper Award.
"I have six girls and every single one of them could step on the court right into a starting role. There is not one that won't be competing for a starting role. That puts pressure on the returners to maintain the performance they have been playing at. I'm excited about this group. We are very balanced amongst the newcomers.", Renda reflecting on her incoming players.
The Lady Eagles start their season with the Faulkner Invitational on August 23rd vs William Baptist at 3 p.m. and Texas A&M Texarkana at 5 p.m. Then the 24th vs Keiser at 11 a.m. and Freed-Hardeman at 3 p.m. They look to do big things this season on and off the court.
