EMORY, Va. - Emory & Henry College Head Volleyball Coach Devyn Bayes is primed for her third season leading the Wasps. In her first two years as head coach, Bayes has accumulated 31 wins with 11 ODAC victories to her credit. Last year, E&H finished sixth in the league, falling to Washington and Lee University in the quarterfinals. This season, the Wasps return six seniors, including a trio of All-ODAC performers.
Senior outside hitter Tristen Pennington (Kingsport, Tenn.) has been named to an All-ODAC Team in all three of her previous seasons at E&H, along with being named ODAC Rookie of the Year in her first season. The senior had 219 kills and 211 digs during the 2015 campaign. Senior middle Kennady Thomason (Chattanooga, Tenn.) made her way to the All-ODAC Second Team, registering 177 kills and a team-leading 80 blocks. Senior right-side hitter Hannah Doss (Meadowview, Va.) earned all-conference honors for the first time in her career, as she was tabbed to the second team. Doss played in all 109 sets and led the team in kills with 242 and points with 287.
Senior libero Emily Hinshaw (Boone, N.C.) played in all 109 sets as well last season. Hinshaw led the team with 425 digs and was atop the ODAC with 60 service aces. Senior defensive specialist Breanna Wallen (Rye Cove, Va.) was great as a reserve for the Wasps last season. She played in 25 matches and tallied 94 digs. Defensive specialist Danielle Williams (Abingdon, Va.) will add to the strong senior leadership for the team as well after playing in 10 matches a year ago. Bayes will look to these seniors for their experience and leadership as the team continues its quest for an ODAC Championship.
Juniors right-side hitter Ali Singleton (Mount Jackson, Va.) and setter Sarah Scott (Collinsville, Va.) will also be important to the success of the team. Singleton posted 211 kills, 83 digs, 30 blocks, and 237.5 points during her sophomore campaign. Scott had a team-high 442 assists and added 114 digs.
Emory & Henry also returns five sophomores this fall. As a freshman, middle Kate Franklin (Blountville, Tenn.) appeared in all 30 matches for the Wasps, finishing second on the team with 58 blocks. Setter Sam McCauley (Glade Spring, Va.) played in 27 matches and recorded 418 assists, while outside hitter Tori Holmberg (Wake Forest, N.C.) played in 22 matches with tallied 127 kills. Amethyst Crawford (Afton, Tenn.) saw action in nine matches as a defensive specialist and libero and notched 33 digs on the season.
In addition to the depth that the team has, this fall's recruiting class consists of seven players who will look to make an impact. The Wasps placed among the top four teams in the league in hitting percentage, blocks, and service aces a year ago. The squad was also tied for second with the most All-ODAC selections from one team. With that talent and accomplishments returning for Emory & Henry, 2016 looks to be a great season.
The Wasps get things started on Thursday evening when they travel to face the Buffaloes of Milligan College. E&H's first home match is on Wednesday, September 14 against Randolph College at 7:00 p.m.
---E&H---