Abilene Christian
Illinois at Springfield
Hutt Ready To Lead As ACU Begins 2011 Season
8/29/2011 2:12:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
ABILENE – Abilene Christian head women's volleyball coach Kellen Mock doesn't think its too ambitious for her to think the Wildcats can go 4-0 at this weekend's season-opening tournament at St. Mary's, where they'll have to battle a talented outfit from Regis University in addition to former Lone Star Conference foe East Central and previously unseen opponents from Illinois-Springfield and Pace.
“As long as we control the flow of the game and develop some good consistency, then I think we'll win all four games,” the sixth-year head coach said. “We lost to Regis early last year and even though they're still a great team, there's no reason why we can't give them a run for their money.”
Regis leads its all-time series vs. the Wildcats 3-1 and handed ACU one of its six losses last season. The Wildcats, however, rebounded from that defeat with an 11-game winning streak, which propelled them to a second-place 13-1 conference record and first NCAA postseason berth since 2006.
Outside hitter Jennie Hutt was a key member of that talented veteran-laden Wildcats' team, which was boosted by the presence of four juniors and three standout seniors at the time, but the roster flipped during the offseason, and now Hutt, along with classmate Kelsie Edwards, are captains of a young and vibrant squad that contains seven freshmen.
Hutt ranked second on the 2010 team with 306 kills and was part of a stellar attacking trio that also included all-conference selections Shawna Hines (323 K, .314) and Jordan Schilling (273 K), but with the latter two now out of the picture, Mock says it's up to the four-year starter and Nebraska native to rally the troops.
“I see Jennie as a tremendous offensive threat, but because we spread the ball around so much in years past she wasn't the No. 1 attacker,” said Mock, “Going into this year though I think she's ready to step into that role and carry the offensive load as we spin around different players. She knows how to thrive on the pressure to be No. 1 and I'm excited to see how she'll perform.”
Hutt, who considers herself the energy leader on the floor, concurred with her coach, adding, “We can go as far if not further than we did last year ... and I want to be the one that helps this team reach all its goals. I think we're equipped with more mental toughness and I sense a drive from my teammates that can push us through to win every game. There are no limits within this team and I can definitely see us winning the conference title and going back to regionals.”
All the offensive responsibilities, however, are not Hutt's alone to shoulder as she'll be assisted on each end by junior right-side Kalynne Allen, and defending LSC Freshman of the Year Neely Borger, who was the first Wildcat to attain the honor since Lauren Leone in 2005. Allen racked up 214 kills and a team-best 27 service aces while Borger drove down 194 kills, delivered 23 aces and produced a .288 hitting percentage.
Borger's sophomore class also stars Madelyn Robinett, Caley Johnson and Michie Johnson, all of whom are looking to work their way into the starting lineup to fill the voids left by Hines, Schilling and first-team all-conference setter and current graduate assistant coach Ijeoma Moronu. Caley Johnson appeared in eight matches a year ago, dishing out 30 assists, but has received some steep competition in preseason camp from freshman Haley Rhoads.
Mock said she likes what she's been seeing from the newcomers in terms of their competitiveness.
“They've been fresh and vibrant on the court competing for these three spots left open for them,” she said. “We have two to three people trying to claim each position, and while there's a healthy sense of competition in practice, we're going to be united as one against all opponents, and we'll compete as a unit.”
Of the seven freshmen on the roster, four are listed as middle blockers: Sara Oxford, Allison Phillips, Allie Rostron and Whitney Stevens, while two are designated outside hitters: Rachel Riley and Jordan Moore.
Rostron and Stevens could hold a slight edge for playing time over their classmates in that they both redshirted last year after experiencing excellent high school careers. Rostron led her team at Llano High School in kills as senior; recording 640 on her way to receiving consecutive first team all-district honors. Stevens was a 2008 Junior Olympics participant and helped lead Lovejoy (Texas) High School to back-to-back state championships in 2008 and 2009.
Despite the high level of competition on display between the Wildcats, Hutt said she's been pleased with the overall team chemistry felt in practice and looks forward to having a great season with her teammates.
“Everyone in each class is getting along real well with never a hint of intimidation, and everyone's being encouraged to step up and play. I think the freshness of this team, and having so many underclassmen to help replace three great leaders, has established a positive mentality that will carry us throughout the season.”
ACU Women's Volleyball at St. Mary's Tournament
Bill Greehey Arena, San Antonio, Texas
Friday, Sept. 2
1 p.m. vs. Illinois-Springfield (2010 record: 10-20; first meeting between schools)
5 p.m. vs. Regis (17-12; Regis leads 3-1)
Saturday, Sept. 3
10 a.m. vs. East Central (4-27; ACU leads 3-0)
2 p.m. vs. Pace (22-11; first meeting between schools)
