The Fort Hays State volleyball program begins its second season under head coach
Kurt Kohler after finishing 7-27 overall in 2009, with a 3-17 record in the MIAA. Only three letterwinners return for the Tigers, whose roster will feature 14 freshman and 2 junior college transfers.
Outside Hitters
Makayla McPhail and Tracie Hileman return for the Tigers as outside hitters. McPhail, a sophomore from Liberal, is coming off of a freshman season that saw her start 30 of the team's 34 matches and rank third on the team in kills. Hileman, a Tonganoxie, Kan. native, returns to the outside hitter position after serving as the primary libero in 2009.
They will be joined by newcomers Camille Hubert (Garden Plain, Kan.), Lindsey Leonard (Manhattan, Kan.), Josey Nunnenkamp (Harvard, Neb.), Madison Schwartz (Lincoln, Neb.), and Kylie Stoppel (Wilson, Kan.). Hubert, the Kansas Volleyball Association 3A Player of the Year in 2008, was unable to play in 2009 due to injury. Leonard was a two-time KVA All-State selection at Wamego High School. Schwartz received honorable mention all-state honors in 2009 for Lincoln East High School. Stoppel joins the Tigers after two years at Cloud County Community College where she led the Thunderbirds in kills and digs.
Others who could possibly see time as an outside hitter are Ashley Evans, Megan Hayes, Kylie Shufflebarger, and Makenzie Weinman.
Middle Hitters
The middle hitter position is wide open this season for the Tigers, with no returners listed at the position.
Transfer Courtney Kroeger (Home, Kan.) ranked second in NJCAA Division II in blocks per set in 2009 for Cloud County Community College.
Freshman Ashley Evans (Mascoutah, Ill.), Samantha Ledy (Colwich, Kan.), Kylie Shufflebarger (McLouth, Kan.), and Jenna Ulrich (Luray, Kan.) also will compete for time at middle hitter. Evans joins the Tigers from Mascoutah High School where she was a three-time all-conference selection. Ledy was a KVA All-State second team selection at Garden Plain High School in 2009. Shufflebarger was a two-time all-league player for McLouth High School and was named all-area player of the year in 2008 by the Lawrence Journal World. Ulrich was a two-time all-league player for Lucas-Luray High School. Josey Nunnenkamp could also compete for time as a middle hitter.
Rightside Hitters
The rightside hitter position is up for grabs following the loss of Lydia Karnopp to graduation. Megan Hayes (Goddard, Kan.) appears to be the leading candidate for the position. Hayes comes to the Tigers from Bishop Carroll High School where she garnered all-city league honorable mention honors as a senior. Kylie Stoppel has rightside hitter listed as her alternate position and could also see some time there.
