Aug. 24, 2010
Ruston, LA. - With the loss of second team all-WAC performer, KC Clayton, the Lady Techsters will be looking to fill a void at the middle blocker position. Clayton played an integral part as a senior in the team's 11-win turnaround from 2008. She recorded 246 kills on the year as well as a .224 hitting percentage while helping the Lady Techsters tie the school record for WAC wins in a season. The Tucson, Arizona native climbed to third place in school history in blocks (383) after totaling 102 during the 2009 campaign.
Despite the loss of Clayton, veteran and four-year starter, senior Kara Jones, returns to the Louisiana Tech program with high expectations. The Moody, Texas native started 32 matches and was a force at the net for the Lady Techsters in 2009, leading the team and the WAC with 32 solo blocks last season and a .258 hitting percentage. With 296 career blocks to her credit, the second team all-Louisiana honoree will figure to be a key cog to a talented crop of middle blockers.
"Even with the loss of KC Clayton and Samantha (Crowder), middle blocker will be our strength this season," said Sonnichsen. "With a dynamic four-year starter in Kara Jones returning with the talents of Gabryel Ording and newcomers Emily Maher and Caitlin Germany, the middle blocker position figures to feature loads of talent and ought to be competitive in terms of playing time."
Gabryel Ording, a Custer Park, Illinois native, enters her third year in the Louisiana Tech system. The redshirt freshman saw action in seven matches last season while totaling 10 kills and seven blocks on the season. With the loss of two upperclassmen, Ording figures to be a key role player this season.
With only one upperclassman on the roster, transfer Emily Maher and freshman Caitlin Germany look to make an immediate impact for the 2010 Lady Techsters. As a redshirt freshman at Southeast Missouri State, Maher recorded 175 kills, 59 digs and 85 blocks while starting in 25 matches last season. Germany, a district 18-4A first-team honoree, comes to Louisiana Tech from Huntsville High School in Huntsville, Texas. Standing at 6-3, the prep standout feature tremendous upside and will likely see playing time as a true freshman.
Check back all week for position-by-position previews. Look for the preview of Tech's setters and libero on Wednesday.
For complete coverage of Lady Techster volleyball, please visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com and follow sports information contact, Austin Staton, on twitter for the latest and most current news.
