LMU VOLLEYBALL NEWS

LINCOLN MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY

OFFICE OF SPORTS INFORMATION

Sports Release                                                                       May 29, 2007

LMU Volleyball Nearly Ready For Battle In The SAC 

Lia Marie Bevins

Leah Cagle

Lauren Kiwacka

Ashley Knight

Alicia MacIntyre

HARROGATE, TN – Last July, Lincoln Memorial University officially became the ninth member of the South Atlantic Conference.  Although several of the University’s athletic teams were eligible to compete for a conference championship in their respective sports, volleyball was one of the sports that was not due to scholarship compliance restrictions.

Nearly a year later, LMU Head Coach Mike Smith has nearly completed recruiting and has assembled what he believes will be the right mix of players to represent Lincoln Memorial University its first season of conference play in the sport of volleyball.

The Lady Railsplitters return nine of thirteen players from a year ago, including four of six starters that helped the team achieve a 19-11 overall record in 2006.  Add to this strong returning group of collegiate veterans an impressive recruiting class and the Lady Railsplitters could make some waves in their first season of play in the South Atlantic Conference.  

Newcomer Lia Marie Bevins (Piney Flats, TN), Leah Cagle (Hendersonville, NC), Lauren Kiwacka (Tipp City, OH), Ashley Knight (Tarpon Springs, FL) and Alicia MacIntyre (Yorktown, IN) are the latest additions to the Lady Railsplitter squad with at least one more key recruit to be signed.  “I am very happy with our 2007 class,” says Smith.  “We have addressed some of our needs and feel like the young ladies we have coming to LMU will represent the University very well.  Each of them have a lot of club experience and were instrumental in the success of their individual teams.  I am excited to get them on campus to practice in our first full season in the South Atlantic Conference.”

Bevins, a defensive specialist/libero, played her prep career at Tennessee High School in Bristol, Tennessee where she was a team-leader.  “Lia will add to our defense and passing,” says Smith.  “She can play anywhere on the back row, so her versatility will be nice to have.”

Cagle, a setter, was MVP of her high school team for two seasons and was all-conference, all-area and a captain of the squad.  Originally from the western portion of the state of North Carolina, Cagle is very well acquainted with the caliber of play in the South Atlantic Conference.  “Leah brings a lot of energy to our team,” states Smith.  “She has very good skills as a setter and will be fun to watch as she competes for our starting setter position.” 

Kiwacka comes to the Lady Splitter program from Tipp City, Ohio, an area of the state where quality volleyball is nothing uncommon.  “Lauren is an athletic player that has a long reach and good quickness at the middle blocker position,” says Smith.  “She is a versatile hitter and will provide a good block at the net.  I believe she will bring another dimension to our middle.”

A native of the sunshine state, Ashley Knight played her prep career for Head Coach Patrick Sneed at Tarpon Springs High School as an outside hitter.  “Ashley is another very athletic player that can be a force at the net.  We will look to use her athleticism as much as possible.  She has solid offensive skills and is a good blocker at the net with her long reach.  I believe she will be a real factor for us this season.”

MacIntyre comes to LMU after playing her freshman year of collegiate volleyball at Hiram College as a defensive specialist/libero.  “Alicia brings a lot of experience with her and has played against some top level teams during her career.  We will look for her to use that experience right away to help our team gel.  She has very good footwork and speed which will pay off on the court for her to be an immediate impact on our team.”

Even with the new additions to the Lady Railsplitter squad, Smith is still on the recruiting trail trying to add one more key piece to the 2007 puzzle.  If that recruit can be signed, the Lady Railsplitters could possibly make a run at the 2007 SAC Championship.  The 2007 season gets underway in late August.