1987 • 1996 • FOUR SOCON TOURNAMENT TITLES • 1997 • 1998
SCHEDULE
ELLIE KUHN
PAULA PASSMORE LIBEROS
Leading the team and middle is senior Ellie Kuhn, who has been the most consistent attacker for the Mocs in camp. She will fill the void left by Courtney Barnes, who paced the Mocs in kills the past two seasons. Sophomore Aneisha Christie and freshman Kasey Talley are going to be asked to step up and contribute on a regular basis in the middle. Kuhn registered 1.61 kills per set for Chattanooga, while connecting at a .257 rate. She has totaled at least 100 blocks in the past two seasons and enters the year eighth on the block assists chart with 223. “Ellie has done a tremendous job of leading with her voice and play as a senior with high expectations for this year,” said FIlar. “She has become technically better at blocking, which will help her be more of a presence in the middle. We are really excited to give her the ball as much as we can in transition, because she can be one of our most dominant attackers and has learned to better the ball if the set is not perfect.” Christie saw time in just one match last season, but the ability to train and further learn the position has been important. The Alpharetta, Ga., native has worked hard on becoming more of an offensive threat by working on her timing with the setters. “Aneisha is someone who has been really impressive in preseason camp,” said Filar. “Her energy, work ethic and strong communication on the court has caught the eyes of the coaches. When she is disciplined in her blocking, then she can be a very effective blocker at the net.” Not many freshmen can come in and be versatile, but Talley has the ability to play outside, middle blocker or right side. “Kasey is a very dynamic athlete that can control her body in the air,” said Filar. “She has effortless movement and is a great blocking presence. She is very driven on and off the court.”
The tradition of excellent play from the libero position for Chattanooga has continued with junior Paula Passmore, who was named the 2010 SoCon Libero of the Year. She dug up a conference-best 654 attacks, while compiling 5.45 digs per set. “Paula is always going to be that servant leader,” said Filar. “She is going to have a great relationship with everyone on the team through being positive and encouraging. She provides us with great stability in the back row from a passing and defending standpoint.” Freshman Melissa Green has been pushing Passmore during preseason camp, and 6-on-6 scrimmages have been competitive and intense with two capable liberos leading each side. The Boca Raton, Fla., native is a defensive specialist that will see time on the court in the back row for the Mocs. “Melissa is a fierce competitor, driven and a great communicator on the court,” said Filar. “She has steadily improved as a passer and defender since arriving on campus.” The Mocs have a great luxury in having a player like Green pushing Passmore each and every practice. Competition between the two is key and should provide a solid back row that keeps the offense in system.
2011 VOLLEYBALL
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
The 2011 slate for Chattanooga poses its challenges during the non-conference portion before heading into the always difficult SoCon season. The Southern Miss Invitational (8/26-27) begins the campaign featuring the host Golden Eagles, Northwestern (La.) State and Jackson State. On Aug. 30, the first home match at Maclellan Gym of the Filar era puts the Mocs against Belmont. A short trip down I-75 to Kennesaw State for the Owl Invitational allows for Camacho, Christie and Kuroski to play near their hometowns. Chattanooga battles Oral Roberts and Winthrop along with the host Owls. The Mocs host a tournament of their own, the Country Inns & Suites Invitational, on Sept. 9-10 as East Tennessee State, UNC Asheville and Tennessee Tech are welcomed to the Scenic City. Tournament action wraps up with the Hokie Classic on Sept. 16-17 with matches against Connecticut and host Virginia Tech. Before entering SoCon play, the Mocs travel to Alabama A&M (9/20) for a mid-week contest. Chattanooga begins the league schedule with a road trip to Western Carolina (9/25) and Appalachian State (9/25). Mercer invades Maclellan Gym on Sept. 28 before the Mocs head to Wofford (10/1). The Southern Rail Rivalry Series begins on Oct. 5 at Samford. Chattanooga then begins a four-match home stand against UNC Greensboro (10/8), Elon (10/9), College of Charleston (10/15) and The Citadel (10/16). A return trip to Mercer on Oct. 18 occurs before UTC heads to Davidson (10/22) and Georgia Southern (10/23). The Mocs host Furman (10/27) and Samford (10/28) on weeknights. Matches at UNCG (11/4) and Elon (11/5) are the next stops. To conclude the season, Chattanooga hosts Appalachian State (11/12) and Western Carolina (11/13). A primary goal for this year’s squad is to finish in the top four in the North Division and play in the SoCon Tournament hosted by Samford on Nov. 18-20. The champion of the eight-team event earns the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA Championship.
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