Boiling Springs, N.C. - The 2010 Gardner-Webb University Volleyball team will be full of youth, as head coach Chris Phillips' squad consists of five freshmen, four sophomores, three juniors and no seniors. However, the young Runnin' Bulldogs will not lack in experience, as all seven of the returners saw action last season with five of those returners being starters. Juniors Laura Wilcox, Evan Moffitt and Lauren Evans will all be asked to be immediate leaders on the floor in 2010, while sophomores Molly Rhyne, Carol Solano, Melissa Richie and Dominique Bray will all be asked to up their game from their freshmen campaigns' only a year ago.

"We will be young again, but sometimes that works to your advantage," commented Coach Phillips. "The good part about being young is that eventually you become older and more experienced."

MIDDLE BLOCKERS
The strength of the 2010 Runnin' Bulldogs volleyball team will lie in the middle, as Coach Phillips' squad has strength in numbers with four middle blockers that will see time at the net. Junior Laura Wilcox, a two-time Big South All-Conference Second-Team selection and the 2008 Big South Freshman of the Year, headlines the GWU middle blocking core, as she led the team last season with 446 points and an attack percentage of .335 on the year. The two-year starter, who was tied for the team lead with 368 kills and was second in total blocks with 60 a year ago, will look to not only continue to improve in the middle for the Runnin' Bulldogs in her junior season, but also help guide the GWU team as a whole as one of only three upperclassman on the roster in 2010.

"What's wonderful about Laura is that she has two full seasons under her belt going into her junior year," continued Coach Phillips. "The team will look to her as one of our leaders and I think she is ready for that role."

With the departure of Jessica Clayton to graduation and the transition of junior Evan Moffitt to her more natural position of setter, depth at the middle blocker spot comes by way of three freshmen in Amanda Murphy, Emily Holte and Tyler Cockrell. The trio of newcomers bring with them a slew of credentials, including five All-State team selections, four All-District team selections, two All-Conference Team selections and over five MVP awards, and more importantly experience in playing at the national level in AAU and club tournaments.

"Wow, how many times do you get to sign three middles in a recruiting year," Coach Phillips stated. "Each middle brings their own style and strengths - Amanda has great instincts at the net; Emily brings a big swing; while Tyler is quick and explosive. One if not all three of them will find themselves on the court this season."

OUTSIDE HITTER
The outside hitter position is perhaps where most of the experience lies for the Runnin' Bulldogs squad in 2010, led by returners Molly Rhyne and Melissa Richie.

Rhyne, who was named to the Big South All-Freshman Team last season, was tied for the team lead with 368 kills on the year. Rhyne, who saw started and played in every set for the Runnin' Bulldogs last season, will be asked once again to shoulder most of the scoring load for GWU in 2010.

"Molly had a year of consistent court time last year, which will help her to be better prepared for this season," continued Coach Phillips. "I look for her to be a smarter player with different types of shots."

Fellow sophomore returner Melissa Richie also saw quality time in her freshman season in 2009, tallying 234 kills, 265 digs, 46 aces and 21 total blocks on the year. Like Rhyne, Richie will look to continue to improve and grow from her first season a year ago, looking to be more consist both offensively and defensively for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

"Melissa will find herself back at the starting outside position again this season," stated Phillips. "She brings a good tempo swing with improved shot selection as well as ball control."

Newcomer Erin Anderson should compete immediately for playing time, as the freshman helped guide her high school team to three consecutive district championships.

"Erin might be our surprise player," Phillips commented. "She is quick and explosive off the floor. She's a player who has great versatility which could get her some quality court time."

RIGHT SIDE
On the right side, sophomore Carol Solano returns, where last season she led the Runnin' Bulldogs in total blocks with 74, which ranks fourth most in a single season in GWU's Division I history. Solano, who was tabbed the Big South Defensive Player of the Week once last season, will once again be asked to be the defensive stopper at the net for GWU in 2010.

"Carol continues to improve every time she steps on the court," continued Phillips. "She brings a big block and a long swing and we're excited to she how she grows again this season."

Freshman Meg Taylor will also see time on the right side for Coach Phillips in 2010, as the newcomer from nearby Spartanburg, S.C. brings a lot of experience and a strong work ethic to a very young Gardner-Webb squad.

"Meg is athletic, strong and has good hands for a right side," said Phillips. "She is going to be a great asset this season."

SETTER
With the departure of four year starter Regina Feagin, GWU's Division I career leader in set assists, the setter position will be filled by junior Evan Moffitt. Moffitt, who was moved from setter and right side hitter to the middle blocker position last year in the Runnin' Bulldogs preseason camp, returns to her natural position in 2010. Moffitt, who saw some time at the setter position in 2008 as a freshman, posted 144 set assists that season and currently has recorded 183 career assists which ranks seventh in GWU's Division I history.

"Evan will finally get her chance to play the position she was recruited to play," stated Phillips. "Evan brings intelligence, speed and an attack with her into the setting position. I look for Evan to be a solid leader for us this year."

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST/LIBERO
With Brett Wilson, who stepped up her game last season with a team-high 380 digs in her senior season, having graduated, Coach Phillips will once more look to someone new to fill the libero or defensive specialist spot in 2010.

Junior Lauren Evans and sophomore Dominique Bray could both see time at the libero spot, as both have worked hard in the off-season to improve their ball handling and passing skills.

Evans, who has battled injuries her entire career, will look to play more on the defensive side this season. Bray, who was recovering from off-season surgery for most of last year, could also see time at the outside hitter spot for Coach Phillips in 2010, as she is very explosive and has a great understanding of the game.

"Dom and Lauren are both still working on transitioning into learning the libero position," commented Phillips. "Both players are making great strides."

SCHEDULE
Gardner-Webb will once more have a very challenging schedule in 2010, one that sends them all the way across the country to state of California. The Runnin' Bulldogs will take on a handful of very tough non-conference opponents highlighted by the University of California, the University of San Diego and Weber State, as well as a slew of very challenging matches against regional opponents in Davidson, UNC Greensboro, Kennesaw State, Wofford and USC Upstate.

The Runnin' Bulldogs have improved over each of its first two years in the Big South Conference and will look to continue to do so against a very difficult conference schedule in 2010, one in which Coach Phillips and her squad have come accustomed to playing over the last few seasons.

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