Emory, Va. - Head coach Devyn Bayes completed her first year at the helm of the Emory & Henry volleyball team. And it was a successful one. The team finished with an 18-12 (6-5 ODAC) record. That mark was the highest since the 2009 season in which the Wasps won 20 games. E&H closed out the season tied for 6th in the conference and ended with a loss to #2 Virginia Wesleyan in the ODAC quarterfinals. Coach Bayes commented on her first season at Emory & Henry, “I am very proud of the work that the girls’ put in this season to transition successfully into my style of playing volleyball. They were very aggressive at the net, which is something that I asked for all year, and they continuously came to practice with a purpose and desire to get better.”
The team was full of familiar faces, as the Wasps only graduated two seniors last season. Among the familiar faces was reigning ODAC freshman of the year Tristen Pennington. After a dominating freshman year, Pennington continued her productivity in the ODAC. Pennington was second in the conference in service aces per set (.55), third in total number of aces (57), and top 10 in the ODAC in kills (288) on her way to being named to the All-ODAC Second Team for the second consecutive year. Pennington said, “I am very honored up to have been chosen as an All-ODAC second team player. I am very thankful for my team and Coach Bayes because without their constant support and encouragement I could not have achieved this accomplishment. This season was extremely rewarding and I am looking forward to next season!” The Wasps finished first in team blocks in conference matchups. The team amassed 70 blocks in conference play and 1.75 per set. That pace was set by sophomore Kennady Thomason, who was fourth in the conference in blocks and led the team with 79. Thomason received accolades from the conference by being named to the All-ODAC Third Team. “I am extremely thankful for having the opportunity to slowly get to my personal goals in volleyball.” Thomason was also third in kills on the team with 237 and third in kills per set with 2.17.
Hannah Doss was one of the better hitters for the Wasps. Doss finished in the top 10 in the ODAC in kills with 290 on the season. That number was the highest on the team as well. Doss made significant strides this season, while improving in almost every statistical category. Freshman Ali Singleton, nicknamed Bambi, was a pleasant surprise this season for the Wasps. In ODAC play, where the 6’2” freshman really shined, Singleton finished with 1.81 kills per set and a .203%. That percentage was good for the top 25 in conference play. Sophomore libero, Emily Hinshaw, took over as a full-time starter this year. Hinshaw led the team in digs with 382 and was ninth in conference in digs per set with 3.60.
The Wasps will see three seniors leaving the program this year. Maleah Neely led the conference in assists per set with 8.88 and was also second in total assists with 950 on the year. The Hillsville, VA native had a tremendous career for the Wasps, finishing third in career assists with 2,604. About her final season, Neely said, “I am going to miss playing volleyball with these girls so much because they all have so much passion for the game. I don't think I have played with a team that loves volleyball as much as this one. I am excited to see what the girls can do in the future because they have some strong players and players that keep improving daily. I expect to see an ODAC title within the next 3 years!” Senior Anika Constantinescu had a great career at E&H as well. The British Columbia native finished her career by playing in 54 matches. In those matches, she accumulated 225 kills and 79 blocks. Kelsey Marrs played in 60 matches over her 4 year career. The Wytheville native has always been a tremendous leader for the team and proved it by being named a team captain this past season.
Coach Bayes looks to come back next season and continue to make strides in the ODAC. With a relatively young, yet experienced team, the Wasps should remain one of the more dangerous teams in the conference. Thomason stated, “We have a ton of potential on the team and I know coach will push us hard to get to our goals of being ODAC champions.” Coach Bayes added her comments about the future of the Wasps program, “I am very excited to be returning such a solid core of athletes and to see the recruits that come in to the program for the next season!”
Team Leaders
Kills – Hannah Doss, 290
Kills per Set – Tristen Pennington, 2.77
Assists – Maleah Neely, 950
Digs – Emily Hinshaw, 382
Blocks – Kennady Thomason, 79
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