Viola, Eagles use strong offense to take down Big South competitors

By Chris McFadden

Junior middle hitter Becca Toor jumps for a solo block during Winthrop’s match against the College of Charleston Cougars last Friday night. It was the first match of the 2010 Carolina Challenge.Coming off a strong 2009 regular season but a somewhat disappointing Big South conference playoff run, the Winthrop volleyball team enters the 2010 season with high expectations.

Preseason Big South all-conference team pick Kaley Viola will be one of the team leaders who will look to push the Eagles to a conference title.

Viola, a senior, led the team in points per game and kills per game last year. The team also returns its number three points-per-game leader senior Sara Felts.

Although the team lost Conference Player of the Year Kelly Taylor, the Eagles return enough players to help balance the loss of Taylor.

“We now have five offensive weapons who will help and five seniors who will be leaders on the team,” coach Sally Polhamus said.

The offensive weapons will be one of the many strengths of this team.

“Our offense, passing, serving, defense and depth should all be strong points on this team,” Polhamus said.Despite the strengths, there are areas that need work in order for the team to have a successful year.

Kellie Sellers tries to attack through the Cougars’ block. The team has played in two tournaments since August. Their record is 2-4 with wins over Seton Hall University and the University of South Carolina. Kaley Viola, Becca Toor and Sara Felts lead the team in kills so far this season with 77, 70 and 62, respectively. Conference play begins Sept. 24 when the team will face High Point University at home at 7 p.m. Photos by Stephanie Eaton • eatons@thejohnsonian.com“We need to work on finishing our matches better and stop out-of-system attacking,” Polhamus said.

Polhamus, entering her third year as the volleyball team coach, has high hopes for this year’s team.

“Our goal is the Big South Conference title,” she said.

The team returns nine of 13 players who form a solid mix of experienced leaders and young players eager to learn from them.

“We have the five seniors, but we also have strong leaders developing in the junior and sophomore classes,” Polhamus said. “Everyone has an opportunity to make an impact this season.”

The conference title is well within reach of this team, but it will take a team effort to reach that goal.