RUSTON, La. – As Louisiana Tech's volleyball team enters its second season under head coach Amber McCray, LA Tech Athletics is excited to feature the team's 20 student-athletes. The first position group profiled will be the Lady Techsters' three setters – junior Abigail Hildenbrand, junior Mia Prostran and redshirt freshman Mallory Meers.
 
In 2019, the Lady Techsters dished out 38 more assists than in 2018. LA Tech also committed fewer ball handling errors this past season than it did in 2018.
 
"This is the first time in a couple of years we have had seasoned setters on our roster with the return of juniors Abigail Hildenbrand and Mia Prostran," McCray said. "Both Abbey and Mia have shared a starting role from the moment they stepped foot on campus as freshmen. We expect them to provide vital leadership for newcomer Mallory Meers, and that should give us a well-rounded group to anchor our offense."
 
Abigail Hildenbrand | Setter | Junior | Parker, Colo.
Hildenbrand played in a team-high 103 sets in 2019, leading the Lady Techsters with 616 assists and 5.98 assists per set. The junior tallied 25 or more assists this past season, racking up a season-high 47 assists in wins against Oral Roberts and Sam Houston State to open the 2019 season. Despite leading the team in sets played, Hildenbrand also cut her ball handling errors in half from her freshman to sophomore season. She also ranked third on the team with 21 service aces a season ago. Off the court, Hildenbrand earned a spot on the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Mia Prostran | Setter | Junior | Belgrade, Serbia
Prostran played in 86 sets as a sophomore, tallying 27 more sets played from her freshman to sophomore season. The Belgrade, Serbia native ranked second on the team with 4.38 assists per set, posting a career-high 32 assists against Charlotte this past season. Prostran delivered 19 service aces a year ago, trailing fellow setter Hildenbrand by just a pair. Off the court, Prostran earned a spot on the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Mallory Meers | Setter | Redshirt Freshman | Lee's Summit, Mo.
Meers redshirted as a true freshman this past season at Cal Baptist. The Lee's Summit, Missouri native led her high school squad in kills, assists and aces as a senior was named a two-time All-Region selection.
 
Coach McCray on Hildenbrand:
 
"Abbey is our most veteran setter in terms of sets played over the past two years, bringing consistency and attention to detail in training that elevates the whole group. She has unfortunately had the short end of the stick in terms of injuries, but her resiliency to battle her way back to the court each time and remain positive through it all is truly commendable."
 
Coach McCray on Prostran:
 
"Mia is a player who made significant contributions and was a difference maker in several matches last year. She stepped up many times to lead key runs in critical moments for us both offensively and from behind the service line. One trait we love about Mia is that she is tough, a trait so critical for the setting position. Her confidence and ability to attack challenges head on is something we will undoubtedly lean on this year."

Coach McCray on Meers:
 
"Mallory has been in such a unique situation transferring to us last spring from Cal Baptist. She only had two practices with our team before COVID-19 shutdowns began and abruptly ended our spring season. She brings some athleticism and a natural knack for the fast-tempo offense we anticipate running as we improve our connections with one another. As a redshirt freshman now training in our gym every day, it will be exciting to watch her grow under the leadership Abbey and Mia provide."
 
Keep up with the Lady Techsters throughout the 2020 season by following @LATechVB on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.