By: Seth Stogsdill, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications
DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre volleyball enjoyed one of the biggest turnarounds in all of Division III last season and will be looking to carry that momentum into the 2022 season.
After winning just two games in the COVID-shortened 2021 spring season, the Colonels rebounded in a big way in the fall, upsetting no. 13 Texas-Dallas in the season opener and winning 17 games, the highest win total for a Centre volleyball team since 2013. The Colonels also snapped a 14-match losing streak against Birmingham-Southern in a thrilling marathon victory as they secured the no. 4 seed in the Southern Athletic Association.
The biggest strength of the Colonels in 2021 was their defense, as they ranked at or near the top of the SAA in most defensive categories. The Colonels' tenacity on defense allowed them to excel at keeping plays alive and allowing for more scoring opportunities, typified by a viral video of setter
Emily Gardner diving into the stands at Millsaps to prolong a play that eventually resulted in a point for Centre in a game they won. Two-time all-SAA libero
Madi Barron returns alongside starting defensive specialists
Lily Hendricks and
June Padilla to form one of the quickest lines of defense in the conference.
Offensively,
Brooke Palmer returns for her junior year after a sophomore season that saw her lead the team in kills and take home her first All-SAA honor. Alongside Palmer, junior
Ellie Driver and sophomore
Isabel Thornton also had breakthrough seasons as outside hitters last season in their first years in the rotation. They will be set up by three-year starter
Meredith Phillips, among the league leaders in assists each of the past three seasons.
In addition, head coach
Patrick Robidoux has bolstered his depth at every position with seven talented newcomers from the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas and Colorado.
The schedule will be one of the most challenging slates Centre volleyball has faced in years, including a pair of early season weekend tournaments at Denison and Washington & Lee. The non-conference schedule should prepare the Colonels well for the always tough SAA, where Centre will be looking to continue to climb up the standings.
The Centre volleyball team will begin their season with the first on-campus athletic event of the year as they clash with Spalding on Sept. 1.
