1979 WOMEN'S J/DLLEYBALL
INTRODUCING COACH DIANE HALE
Diane, 25, begins her second year as MSU volleyball mentor, after coaching for two years (1976-77) at Iowa State, and one (1975) at Tennessee, while completing her master's degree in physical education. A native of Knoxville, Tenn., Diane received her B.S. in physical education in 1975 at U.T., where she played four years of volleyball, competing at the AIAW nationals her freshman and junior years. Volleyball keeps-Diane busy during the off-season, as she serves as chairperson of the AAU Region 3 Junior Olympic Volleyball program, and is also a member of the coaching staff at the USVBA Olympic Development Camp in Lamoni, la.
PREVIEW 1979
V
With all but one woman from last season's roster returning, 1979 should be a banner year for the Lady Tigers. The most noticeable and major difference from last year, other than new uniforms, will be an offense centered on all six positions, rather than just one, as was the case last year with Sandy Monce. After being named to three alltournament teams during the regular season, Monce was forced to sit out the state tournament because of an injury. The Lady Tigers wound up third, despite being pre-tourney favorites. This season, coach Diane Hale plans to move Monce to the middle, utilizing her setting ability, this should, in turn, promote more offense from hitters like Sylvia Watson, Lowette Swinton, and Celeste Homan. Hale also believes taking some of the pressure off Monce will make her a better player. While lack of depth may again cause troubles, Hale beefed up her few reserves with the addition of hitters like junior transfer Margi McNeely, and freshman Debbi Hammond. Regarding her schedule, Hale plans to better expose her team to the Memphis community with several more home contests. In addition to dual meets against Ole Miss and U.T. Martin, the MSU Field House will also be the site of both the 16th Annual Lady Tiger Invitational, and the TCWSF state championship.
AND THE 1979 Nancy Esslinger,
Graduate Assistant
Nancy begins her first year at MSU after a strong history of national and international experience. A1979 graduate of Ole Miss, Nancy played two years of volleyball as a Lady Rebel, after spending two years at North Alabama (1974-75) and a year (1976) in Prague, Czechoslavakia. While at Ole Miss, where she served as co-captian, her teams attended the AIAW national tournament in both 1977-78. A native of Florence, Ala., Nancy gained her pre-collegiate experience at Bradshaw High School, one of the finest fundamentalist schools in the South according to coach Diane Hale.
#9 Sandy Monce, 6-0 junior, hitter-setter Named to three all-tournament teams last season, Sandy returns as the Lady Tigers' most all-around offensive threat . . . very consistent. . .to be utilized more as a setter this year. . . experience with Florida's beach volleyball makes her physically stronger... has more court awareness than most players. . .also a high jumper on the women's track team . . . BORN 11/27/59.
#2 Sylvia Watson, 5-7 senior, hitter Mentally, the smartest hitter on the court. . . knows how to adjust well between hard and off-speed shots. . . good at returning quick hits from opponent's blocks . . . hits outside very w e l l . . . was team captain in 78 and named to two all-tournament teams . . . first Lady Tiger to start in all four years of competition . . .BORN 6/6/58.
LADY TIGER # 8 Katie Sandage,
5-7 senior, hitter
Best defensive player on the squad . plays back middle. . . has excellent floor capabilities, can roll or dive. . . I team player. . . reads hitters very well and makes adjustments to other players on the court. . . doesn't quit, goes after everything . . . BORN 8/6/56.
#10 Celeste Homan, 5-8 senior, hitter Strong outside hitter. . .very aggressive, but smooth when moving to the ball. . . needs work on defense and facing an opponents' block . . . picked up good experience from USVBAplay . . . BORN 10/6/58.
# 4 Lowette Swinton 5-7 junior, hitter Quickest reactions of any player on the t e a m . . . one of the hardest hitters. . . needs to work on more body control and accuracy of shots. . . named to last year's state all- tournament team with Sylvia Watson . . . has played with teammate Sandy Monce since high school. . . BORN 2/4/59.
#3
Barbara Whitaker, 5-7 senior, hitter
Selected as most improved player of the year last season . . . best serve receiver on the team . . . meticulous about herpassing. . .prides herself in putting the ball to the setter where she wants i t . . . needs work on vertical jump . . . BORN 1/28/58.
VOLLEYERS # 7 Becky Harden, 5-4 junior, setter Most experience setter on the team . . .pretty consistent with fundamentals . . . doesn't make obvious mistakes . . . no off-season LJSVBA experience may be a setback . . BORN 6/14/59.
# 1 Cindy Eschbach, 5-2 senior, setter
Used as relief setter... one of the more respected players on the team . . . enjoyable person to be around. . . no LJSVBA experience may also be disadvantageous for her . BORN 5/30/58.
NEW RECRUITS # 5 Debbi Hammond, 5-7 freshman, hitter
Comes to Memphis State with impressive credentials from high school days: most valuable player, all region, and all-state selection . . .must adapt to the tougher serves and defenses of the collegiate game . . . needs work on vertical jump . . . BORN 2/22/61.
#6 Margi McNeely, 5-8 junior, hitter-setter Two years at Hillsborough Community College (Tampa, Fla.) should make transition to MSU easier for Margi. In 1977, her team finished fifth at the NJCAA national championships . . . Like Monce, has strong experience with Florida's beach volleyball (won state championship in 1976) . BORN 5/20/58.
1978 IN REVIEW 1978 Season Results Meet Record: 26-19 Game Record: 54-38 AT OLE MISS TOURNEY
Ole Miss beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-10,15-5 MEMPHIS STATE beat Mississippi U/Women 15-10,9-15,15-8 MEMPHIS STATE beat U.T. Martin 15-9,15-6 Alabama beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-13,15-6 Arkansas State beat MEMPHIS STATE 16-14, 8-15,15-5 MEMPHIS STATE beat Arkansas State 8-15,15-12,15-10 Alabama beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-8,15-7 AT MISSISSIPPI U/WOMEN TOURNEY MEMPHIS STATE beat New Orleans 15-7, 3-15,17-15 Mississippi U/Women beat MEMPHIS STATE 16-14,15-5 Florida State beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-11,15-3 Arkansas State beat MEMPHIS STATE 12-15,15-5,17-15 MEMPHIS STATE beat Columbus College 15-10,15-1 AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE TRI-MEET MEMPHIS STATE beat Middle Tennessee State 15-8.15-9 MEMPHIS STATE beat U.T. Chattanooga 10-15,15-8,15-7 AT U.T. MARTIN TOURNEY
MEMPHIS STATE beat Middle Tennessee State 15-10,15-3 MEMPHIS STATE beat Austin Peay 15-4,15-3 MEMPHIS STATE beat Southwest Baptist 15-10,15-6 Arkansas State beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-11,17-15 AT HOUSTON TOURNEY Texas A&M beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-6,15-8 Texas Tech beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-11,15-5 Oklahoma beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-11.15-11 Texas beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-1,15-9 LADY TIGER INVITATIONAL New Orleans beat MEMPHIS STATE 19-17 (15-2, 4-15) MEMPHIS STATE beat Nichols State 30-15 (15-8,15-7) MEMPHIS STATE beat Central Arkansas 30-15 (15-10,15-5) Tennessee beat MEMPHIS STATE 30-26 (15-13,15-13) MEMPHIS STATE beat U.T Martin 2-15.15-7,15-5 Ole Miss beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-13,12-15,15-5 MEMPHIS STATE TRI-MEET
MEMPHIS STATE beat Middle Tennessee State 16-14,15-12 MEMPHIS STATE beat Southeast Missouri 15-4,15-8 AT CHATTANOOGA QUAD MEMPHIS STATE beat U.T. Chattanooga 15-10,15-3 MEMPHIS STATE beat East Tennessee State 15-12, 8-15,15-7 MEMPHIS STATE beat Covenant College 15-2,15-7 AT LADY VOLUNTEER TOURNEY Florida State beat MEMPHIS STATE 30-15 (15-3,15-12) Northern Kentucky beat MEMPHIS STATE 30-23 (15-10,15-13) MEMPHIS STATE beat Morehead State 30-17 (15-10,15-7) MEMPHIS STATE beat Tennessee 15-13,15-9 AT U.T. MARTIN TRI-MEET MEMPHIS STATE beat U.T. Martin 15-10,15-13 MEMPHIS STATE beat Austin Peay 15-3,15-12 AT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI TRI-MEET MEMPHIS STATE beat Southeast Missouri 15-7,15-1 MEMPHIS STATE beat Jefferson CC 15-12, 7-15,15-5 AT TCWSF STATE TOURNAMENT* MEMPHIS STATE beat Tennessee Tech 15-4,15-5 East Tennessee State beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-11,15-11 MEMPHIS STATE beat Middle Tennessee State 15-7,15-9 Tennessee beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-7,15-7 •Memphis State finished 3rd behind ETSU (1st) and Tennessee (2nd).
1979 SCHEDULE DATE Sept. 14 15 19 22 27 29 Oct. 5-6 8 12-13 15 20 23 27 29 Nov. 1 5 9-10 16-17
OPPONENT at Arkansas State, w/Henderson State VARSITY-ALUMNI MATCH (7:00 p.m.) OLE MISS (7:00 p.m.) at Ole Miss Invitational ARKANSAS STATE (7:00 p.m.) at Mississippi U/Women Invitational 16th ANNUAL LADY TIGER INVITATIONAL (tba) at Jefferson CC (St. Louis) at Florida State Invitational at Ole Miss at Missouri Invitational at Tennessee-Martin at Southern Illinois Invitational TENNESSEE-MARTIN (7:00 p.m.) at North Alabama, w/Troy State JEFFERSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (7:00 p.m.) TCWSF STATE TOURNAMENT (tba) at AIAW Region 2 Tournament
FACTS ON MSU Memphis State University Fieldhouse 377 Memphis, Tenn. 38152 (901)454-2315 PRESIDENT: Dr. Billy M. Jones WOMEN'S ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Elma Roane WOMEN'S SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR: Michael M. Finn (454-2528) WOMEN'S TRAINER: Linda Arnold ENROLLMENT: 22,000 NICKNAME: Lady Tigers COLORS: Blue and Grey ARENA: MSU Field House (Cap: 3000)
80-186
NO. NAME 1 ***Eschbach, Cindy 5 Hammond, Debbi 7 **Harden, Becky 10 *Homan, Celeste 6 McNeely, Margi 9 **Monce, Sandy 8 ***Sandage, Katie 4 **Swinton, Lowette 2 ***Watson, Sylvia 3 **Whitaker, Barbara
AGE HT. 21
18 20 20 21 19 23 20 21 21
5-2 5-7 5-4 5-8 5-8 6-0 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7
YEAR Sr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr.
MAJOR Physical Education Undecided Criminology Engineering Physical Education Physical Education Health Computer Science Pre-Medicine Physical Education
1979 VOLLEYBALL ROSTER
POSITION Setter Hitter Setter Hitter Hitter-Setter Hitter-Setter Hitter Hitter Hitter Hitter
*Denotes Year(s) Experience as Lady Tiger HEAD COACH: Diane Hale (Tennessee, 1975) GRADUATE ASSISTANT: Nancy Esslinger (Ole Miss, 1979)
HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL) Memphis (Bishop Byrne) Florence, Ala. (Bradshaw) Memphis (Raleigh-Egypt) Lisle, III. (Lisle) Tampa, Fla. (Robinson) Tampa, Fla. (Jefferson) Memphis (Frayser) Tampa, Fla. (Jefferson) Memphis (Immaculate Conception) Memphis (Wooddale)