Volleyball adds size to roster

By Bruce Pier
Staff Writer

Starting the 2003 season with a record of 5-4, the young UNCP volleyball team is setting their sights on improving last year’s mark of 12-21. Four starters were lost from last year. Coach Beverly Justice is very optimistic about the prospect of coaching nine new players of which seven are freshmen.

“They’re talented, athletic, and add size to our roster,” Coach Justice said about the new members of the team. UNCP volleyball fans should expect to see three freshmen on the court at any given time.

Perhaps the biggest challenge that Coach Justice will face is replacing the 2002 Peach Belt Co-Freshman of the Year, Tina Talsma. Talsma left UNCP to attend Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

The addition of Amy Julien, a 6-foot-1 transfer student from Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Mich., will help to fill the void left by Talsma. Julien was named All-Region and All-Conference during her career at KCC competing in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association.

The Lady Braves will strive to show marked improvement with each game, putting their pre-season goals within reach.

“The team would like to move up two spots in the Peach Belt,” Coach Justice said, as well as finishing the 2003 season with an “overall record of .500 or greater.”

UNCP’s freshmen should provide one of the most exciting Lady Braves’ seasons in recent memory.