SERVING IT UP: The Arkansas State volleyball team (2-1) will travel to Bloomington, Ind. Sept. 3-4 to participate in the IU adidas Classic, facing Indiana, NC State and Illinois State. Livestats will be available at AStateRedWolves.com for all matches, and Friday's contest will feature a radio broadcast. The link can be found on the volleyball schedule page of AStateRedWolves.com.
TOURNAMENT TIMES:
Friday, Sept. 3
NC State vs. Illinois State 5 pm
ASU vs. Indiana 7 pm
Saturday, Sept. 4
ASU vs. NC State 10 am
Illinois State vs. Indiana Noon
ASU vs. Illinois State 5:30 pm
NC State vs. Indiana 7:30 pm
THE INDIANA SERIES: IU holds a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series against the Red Wolves. The two teams last met in 2005 when the Hoosiers swept A-State 3-0 at the TIS Bookstore Hoosier Classic. IU's other 3-0 win came during the 1997 Indiana University Classic.
THE NC STATE SERIES: ASU stands at 0-1 against North Carolina State. The two teams met in Raleigh, N.C. during the 1992 season when the Wolfpack topped ASU 3-2.
THE ILLINOIS STATE SERIES: This will mark the first meeting on the hardwood between Illinois State and ASU.
BASKA EARNS SBC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS: The Sun Belt Conference announced Monday that Arkansas State freshman libero Megan Baska earned SBC Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping the Red Wolves to a 2-1 record at the ASU Invitational.
In her first weekend as a Red Wolf, Baska tallied 71 digs, averaging 5.92 digs per set.
"Megan is a talented young player who will increasingly get better as our team learns our defensive package," said ASU head coach Justin Ingram.
She racked up 13 digs and a service ace in her first collegiate match as ASU swept Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3-0. Against Northwestern State, she posted 34 digs to lead the team and added two service aces and three assists. The Overland Park, Kan. native chalked up 24 digs in ASU's five-set victory over Louisiana Tech Saturday afternoon, adding four assists.
RED WOLVES VOLLEYBALL PICKED SECOND IN PRESEASON COACHES' POLL, FIELDER EARNS SECOND PRESEASON ALL-SBC HONOR: The Arkansas State volleyball team was picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference West Division preseason poll, the league announced Thursday morning, and ASU's Cayla Fielder was named to the preseason All-SBC team, as voted on by the league's 12 head coaches.
The Red Wolves received 57 points in the poll with four first place votes, while Denver topped the West Division with 68 points. Middle Tennessee totaled 66 points to land as the favorite in the East Division just three points ahead of Florida International.
Fielder's selection to the preseason All-SBC team marks the second of her career. She was named to the All-SBC First Team following the 2009 season, after leading the Red Wolves in kills (373), hitting percentage (.341) and total blocks (128), including a team-high 33 unassisted. Fielder was named the 2008 Freshman of the Year and earned Second Team All-SBC honors that same season.
"We feel honored to have received some first place votes and to have a player recognized on the preseason All-Sun Belt team," said ASU head coach Justin Ingram. "A lot of that recognition has to do with what we did last season, and we'll have to work extremely hard to repeat as Division Champions. Great things are happening at practice, and we are anxious to get started."
A-State opens the 2010 season Friday, Aug. 27 when they host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at noon and Northwestern State at 7:00 p.m. in the ASU Invitational at the HPESS facility on the ASU campus. Louisiana Tech will face Northwestern State in the opening match of the tournament at 10:00 a.m., while UAPB and Louisiana Tech will meet on the hardwood at 5:00 p.m.
HEAD COACH JUSTIN INGRAM: Justin Ingram enters his second year as head coach of the Red Wolves with a 22-11 overall record and a SBC West-Division Co-Championship under his belt.
Ingram became the sixth head coach in ASU Volleyball history last season, and his Red Wolves' .667 winning percentage was the highest ASU has seen since the 2004 season. He led A-State to a 12-6 (.667) conference record and a 10-1 (.909) record in home matches, also the highest percentage since 2004. Two of Ingram's 2009 Red Wolves garnished post-season conference honors including the SBC Defensive Player of the Year award, and ASU chalked up six SBC Player of the Week accolades last season.
Ingram came to ASU after serving eight years as an assistant coach at Kansas State.
During his time at Kansas State, he served as the recruiting coordinator and offensive coordinator for the Wildcats who posted a 171-79 record and made seven NCAA tournament appearances during his time with the program.
While at Kansas State, the Wildcats earned American Volleyball Coaches Association top-25 final rankings six different seasons including a No. 11 final ranking in 2003. The Wildcats also had seven 20-win seasons in his time there, including a 30-win season and a first-place finish in the Big 12 in 2003. Kansas State's final RPI ranked in the top-30 nationally during seven of Ingram's eight seasons with the Wildcats.
Ingram served the previous two years as an assistant coach at the University of Houston. He served as a junior college recruiting coordinator, travel coordinator and assistant director of camps. The Cougars posted a 42-24 record and made back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances and posted consecutive 20-win seasons in 1998 and 1999. The Cougars were the Conference USA National Division Runners-up in 1998 and C-USA National Division Champions in 1999.
During his career, Ingram has helped lead teams to nine NCAA Tournament appearances including a trip to the Sweet Sixteen in 2003. He has coached eight All-America selections, 22 All-Big 12 selections, 55 Academic All-Big 12 players, six All-Conference USA selections, four Big 12 Libero of the Year winners, a Big 12 Player of the Year, a Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and a C-USA Player of the Year.
Ingram earned his bachelor's degree in Community and Regional Planning from Iowa State University in 1995 and a master's degree in City and Regional Planning from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1998.
"Arkansas State is a tremendous university with an excellent volleyball program and I'm thrilled to be here," said Ingram. "I think the program is heading in a very positive direction and I'm excited to be part of its future. Not only does ASU have a strong volleyball program, it's in a strong conference and has great support from the community. So, this is a great situation and opportunity and I look forward to the challenges ahead."
ASSISTANT COACH SHAWN TAYLOR: ASU head volleyball coach Justin Ingram announced March 19 that Shawn Taylor had joined the Red Wolves coaching staff as assistant coach for the 2010 season.
"I feel fortunate to have attracted Shawn to Arkansas State," said Ingram. "He is a very knowledgeable and hard working coach who understands the demands it takes to be successful."
Taylor comes to Arkansas State from Independence Community College in Independence, Kan. where he served as the head coach for the 2009 season. Prior to working at ICC, he coached as an assistant at Valparaiso and spent the 2007 season as the head coach at Kansas Wesleyan University. Taylor was a volunteer assistant coach at Kansas State for three seasons and served as the head women's junior varsity and a men's assistant coach at Graceland University from 2002-2004. Taylor also apprentice coached with the U.S. national team in 2007.
Taylor earned his master's degree in college student personnel from Kansas State and his bachelor's degree in liberal studies from Graceland. He played for the Graceland Yellowjackets from 1999-2002.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2010: With just three returning Red Wolves, Arkansas State will have a crowd of new faces on the hardwood in 2010. Head coach Justin Ingram and the new A-State team are looking to follow a great season with an even greater one. The Red Wolves received 57 points in the preseason Sun Belt Conference poll with four first place votes and were predicted to finish second in the West Division behind Denver. Returning junior middle blocker Cayla Fielder was selected to the preseason All-SBC team.
Fielder and sophomores Taylor Coughlin and Kelsie Hodges were part of a 22-11, Sun Belt Conference West Division Co-Championship team last season that posted ASU Volleyball's highest winning percentage since 2004. ASU welcomes five freshmen and four transfers from all over the country, spanning from Utah to Ohio.
Fielder returns as the most experienced player on the roster, and her selection to the preseason All-SBC team marks the second of her career. She was named to the All-SBC first team following the 2009 season, after leading the Red Wolves in kills (373), hitting percentage (.341) and total blocks (128), including a team-high 33 unassisted. Fielder was named the 2008 Freshman of the Year and earned Second Team All-SBC honors that same season.
The team will also welcome new assistant coach Shawn Taylor and graduate assistant coach Jen Malcom. Taylor comes to Arkansas State from Independence Community College in Independence, Kan. where he served as the head coach for the 2009 season. Prior to working at ICC, he coached as an assistant at Valparaiso and spent the 2007 season as the head coach at Kansas Wesleyan University. Malcom graduated from Iowa State in 2008 where she played two years on the Cyclone volleyball team. She was named a Strength and Conditioning All-American, as well as AVCA All-Central Region and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention following her senior season.
The Red Wolves will open the season Aug. 27-28 when they host Louisiana Tech, Northwestern State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the ASU Invitational at the HPESS complex on the ASU campus. A-State will visit Bloomington, Ind. for the Indiana University Tournament Sept. 3-4, Tulsa, Okla. for the University of Tulsa Invitational Sept. 10-11 and Houston, Texas for the Rice University Invitational Sept. 17-18.
Arkansas State will return to the Convocation Center to open Sun Belt Conference action, hosting Western Kentucky Sept. 24 and Middle Tennessee Sept. 26.
The Red Wolves will spend the next two weekends on the road, traveling to Troy Oct. 1 and South Alabama Oct. 3 before visiting North Texas Oct. 8 and Denver Oct. 10.
In-state rival UALR will visit the Convocation Center Oct. 15 for a matchup with ASU, while Florida Atlantic and Florida International will make stops in Jonesboro the following weekend (Oct. 22 and 24).
Oct. 29 and 30 will mark a road swing through the state of Louisiana for the Red Wolves as they meet ULM Friday and Louisiana-Lafayette Saturday before returning to Jonesboro for matches against Denver Nov. 5 and North Texas Nov. 6 at the HPESS complex.
ASU will travel to Little Rock to take on the UALR Trojans for a second time in their only midweek action of the season Nov. 9 at the Jack Stephens Center.
The Red Wolves will then wrap up their season Nov. 12 and 13, hosting ULM and Louisiana-Lafayette at the HPESS complex.
This year's SBC Tournament will be hosted by Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Nov. 18-20, and the NCAA Tournament first and second rounds are set for Dec. 2-4.
Ingram said, "We are all optimistic about the direction of this team. The girls have been working hard all summer, and we are certainly seeing the rewards."
The Red Wolves also have some changes to their home facility this season. ASU's locker room got a makeover during the offseason to include a lounge area with a flat screen television, refrigerator and two computer work stations. The lockers now have a personalized touch with each player's name, jersey number and picture displayed in them, and the walls are adorned with custom graphics.
"I am extremely grateful for the locker room renovation," said Ingram. "Facility improvements are important in the recruitment of student-athletes, and specifically it shows the administration's support and positive direction of its programs. Our volleyball team is fortunate and we are all thankful."
ASU VOLLEYBALL SWEEPS UAPB, FALLS IN FIVE SETS TO NORTHWESTERN STATE: The Arkansas State volleyball team swept Arkansas-Pine Bluff in its first match of the 2010 season before falling to Northwestern State in five sets to close out action in the ASU Invitational Friday at the HPESS facility.
The Red Wolves had a crowd of new faces on the hardwood as they topped UAPB 25-12, 25-5, 25-17. Freshman Sadie Clark led the offensive effort with eight kills, while also leading the team with three solo blocks. Sophomore Taylor Coughlin and freshman Ashley Tipps each posted six kills, and Tipps hit for .455 in her first match as a Red Wolf. Freshman libero Megan Baska chalked up 13 digs, while sophomore setter Allison Kearney tallied 17 assists.
"I thought it went well," said ASU head coach Justin Ingram. "We came out and, as expected, nerves were hitting us a little bit. It just took a little bit of time to get in our rhythm and get focused on what we have been doing in practice. Once we adjusted, we certainly responded, and I thought we played pretty well."
In ASU's second match of the day, the Red Wolves fell to NSU 25-11, 21-25, 23-25, 25-16, 14-16. Junior Cayla Fielder pounded out 20 kills against the Lady Demons, while Baska racked up 34 digs. Kearney posted 35 assists, while sophomore setter Emme Russell recorded 26. Coughlin, Baska and sophomore Jasmine Terry each posted two service aces. Terry added three solo blocks in her first match at Arkansas State.
"We added Cayla Fielder tonight, who didn't play this morning and I thought she did a nice job in a new position for her," added Ingram. "She was a middle blocker last year, so it's a big transition to make, going from the middle to the left side. Going into tonight, this was the lineup we have been practicing and what we have been doing a lot of, so I thought we were prepared. But we were riding a giant roller coaster of good things that were happening, and not-so-good. We certainly need to even-out if we are going to maintain a high position within the conference or if we are going to have much success. We have a lot of work to do in order to steady out. We gave up too many points at a time and made too many mistakes that prevented us from taking the match."
In other action at the ASU Invitational, NSU topped Louisiana Tech 3-1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-23, 25-21), while LA Tech swept UAPB 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-19).
RED WOLVES RALLY FOR FIVE-SET VICTORY OVER LOUISIANA TECH: The Red Wolves volleyball team (2-1) fought its way to a five-set victory over Louisiana Tech (1-2) Saturday afternoon in the ASU Invitational at the HPESS facility.
Arkansas State came out firing on all cylinders, winning set one 25-18. Trailing 18-13, the Red Wolves went on a 12-0 run with three service aces from sophomore setter Allison Kearney and three kills from junior Cayla Fielder.
Louisiana Tech rallied to take sets two and three, 25-22 and 25-13. Up 18-14 in set four, the Red Wolves dropped four straight points, but A-State held on for the 25-22 set win.
ASU scored the first point of the fifth set on a kill from Fielder and never relinquished the lead, winning 15-11.
"We're still riding this wave of good stuff at times and not so good," said ASU head coach Justin Ingram. "We're just giving up too many points in bunches. We have to learn how to give less and be better right from the beginning, and as the match progresses be the best at the end. We're still learning, but the good thing is it's the beginning of the season and we have a ways to figure that out."
Fielder, an all-tournament selection, tied her career-high with 22 kills against the Lady Techsters, while sophomore Kelsie Hodges pounded out 10. Freshman libero Megan Baska notched 24 digs in the match, and Kearney and sophomore Taylor Coughlin each posted double-digit digs as well.
Kearney finished the match with 31 assists, 13 digs, three service aces and two kills.
