EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Volleyball Team has been chosen to finish sixth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference by the league's head coaches, ODAC officials announced Wednesday. Though the Wasps return just seven players from last season's 14-13 squad, they have all the tools to put together a successful season under second-year Head Coach Dan Clotfelter.

Returning this year for E&H are All-ODAC performers in senior outside hitter Jamie Cockerham (Galax, Va.) and junior middle Nicole Tesh (Boone, N.C.). Cockerham led the Wasps last year in kills (303) while she was second in hitting percentage (.225), digs (206) and digs per set (2.12). Tesh led the team in hitting percentage (.288) and was second with 55 blocks and 37 service aces while finishing third in kills (205).

Also returning are senior middle Kim Caudill (Galax, Va.), senior right side hitter Tessa Burton (Gate City, Va.), junior libero Kelly Mae Kerlin (Franklin, Tenn.), sophomore setter Maleah Neely (Hillsville, Va.) and sophomore defensive specialist Kelsey Marrs (Wytheville, Va.).

Joining Emory & Henry as freshmen this year are outside hitter Hannah Stewart (Boone, N.C.), defensive specialist Madison DeBord (Williamsburg, Va.), outside hitter Natasha Moore (Independence, Va.) and setter Sarah Anderson (Roanoke, Va.).

The Wasps may be small in numbers for the 2012 campaign, but Clotfelter believes that the overall skill level of the team is as good as or better than a year ago. Staying healthy and injury free will be key to E&H's success this season.

Emory & Henry will open the 2012 season on Friday, August 31 when it travels to face Ferrum College at 6:30 p.m. The Wasps will continue their opening weekend roadtrip to the Averett Cougar Classic in Danville where they will play two matches each on Saturday and Sunday. E&H's first home match will be on Tuesday, September 11 against Concord University at 7:00 p.m.

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