1981 MSU VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
18-19 22 25-26 29 2 6 9 11
at Southwest Missouri Quad OLE MISS (dual) 7 p.m. at Kentucky Invitational ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM (dual) 7 p.m. at Missouri Invitational at Alabama—Birmingham (dual) SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (dual) MISSISSIPPI STATE (dual) 2:30 p.m.
16-17
MSU LADY TIGER INVITATIONAL (tba)
23-24 30-31 6 11 19-21
at Tennessee Invitational at Ole Miss Invitational at Mississippi State (dual) at Ole Miss (dual) at Metro Conference Tournament (Cincinnati, Ohio) at NCAA Regional Championships at NCAA National Championships
11-12 18-19
ALL HOME MEETS ARE HELD IN THE MSU FIELD HOUSE COVER: An example of Lady Tiger Volleyball in 1981 as Amy Watson sets the ball to fellow sophomore Holly Buford, who gets high off the ground.
FINGERTIP FACTS ON MEMPHIS STATE UNIVERSITY LOCATION: Memphis, Tennessee, 38152 ENROLLMENT: 22,000 NICKNAME: Lady Tigers COLORS: Blue and Grey FOUNDED: 1912 PRESIDENT: Dr. Thomas Carpenter ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Bob Patterson ASST. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Elma Roane SPORT INFO. DIRECTOR: Bob Winn ASSOC. S.I.D.: Mike Finn S.I.D.'s PHONE: (901) 454-2337 VOLLEYBALL COACH: Diane Hale ASST. VOLLYBALL COACH: Nancy Esslinger VOLLEYBALL PHONE: (901) 454-2315 HALE'S RECORD AT MSU: 102-56 (3 years) 1980 RECORD: 41-17 HOME ARENA: MSU Field House CAPACITY: 3,500
VOLLEYBALL '81 A NEW BEGINNING . . . FOR THE BETTER With only one starter returning from last year's record breaking team, MSU coach Diane Hole's preseason comments are sounding like Ronald Reagan's 1980 campaign slogan but with just a little different twist. "It's definitely a new beginning, a beginning for the better," said Hale, who forthe first time will have a squad made up entirely from her recruiting. "These girls have had more experience at the high school level. They're technically ahead of previous freshmen athletes and as a whole have to be more physically prepared for greater challenges. "This squad can establish a bright future for themselves. They're playing much tougher teams than they've faced before. When they win, they definitely will make a reputation for themselves and Memphis State." The superstar on this year's team should be 6-0 sophomore Holly Buford, a starter from last year's 41-17 squad, which won the state tournament and finished fourth at the AIAW Region 2 Tournament. After a slow start in her first year of collegiate ball, Holly came on very strong at season's end with her aggressive defense and hitting, and was named to the all-tournament team at the state meet. Other Lady Tigers who have a strong chance at filling a starting role include sophomores Amy Watson and Laura Wilson, and senior Linda Conner, while sophomores Beth Johnson and Kim Fraser have significantly improved and will provide consistency for the team in the upcoming season. Both the 5-4 Watson and 5-8 Wilson were important factors to the success of what was an all-seniorteam last year. Watson, whose enthusiastic personality helped MSU rally to several late victories last year, is considered to be Hole's top setter in 1981. Wilson, a walk-on last year from California, consistently came up with the big defensive plays in the backcourt. Conner, a transfer last year from Ole Miss, will give Memphis State an explosive hitter at either side. With basically a brand new team on the court this season, the four recruits signed by Hale also have a strong chance of seeing plenty of action. Drenda Sue Roberts, from Ft. Wayne, Indiana, is a 5-7 southpaw with a vertical jump of 27 inches and maybe used as either a setter or hitter. Meanwhile, Lori Page Jones, from Florence, Alabama, and Karen Fussell, from Miami, Florida, both will be joining past teammates this year. Jones, a 5-10 hitter, played next to Buford, when the pair led Bradshaw (Alabama) High School to the state crown in 1979, while Fussell, a 5-8 hitter, is a former teammate of Fraser, when the two were at Sunset High School in Miami. Mary Vercande, a junior college transfer, will give MSU even more depth at setting. With the Lady Tigers competing in the NCAA championships for the first time, they will no longer compete in a state tournament, but instead must win an at-large bid to the NCAA Regionals in December. One way of improving their chances for an NCAA bid would be a strong showing at this year's Metro Conference Championships, held in Cincinnati. The Metro has shown its team are some of the toughest in the nation. Last yearfor example, Florida State, Virginia Tech and St. Louis also made appearances in regional play. At last year's inaugural Metro Volleyball tournament, the Lady Tigers finished third, but were the only team to defeat eventual champions St. Louis in round robin play.
1
Head Coach Diane Hale
Entering just her fourth year as Memphis State's women's volleyball mentor, Diane Hale has already become the winningest coach in MSU history. Since taking over the helm in 1978, Diane has averaged 34 wins per season and picked up her 100th career victory at last year's AIAW Region 2 Meet. A 27-year-old native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Diane received her bachelor's degree in physical education in May of 1975 at the University of Tennessee. As a Lady Volunteer, she played fouryears of intercollegiate volleyball and competed at the AIAW nationals in both her freshman and junior seasons. Following her graduation, Diane took over the coaching duties at Tennessee in 1975, while completing her master's degree in physical education. From there, she moved north to Ames, Iowa, to coach the Iowa State Cyclones in 1976 and 1977. Volleyball keeps Diane extremely busy during the summer months. She is a member of the coaching staff at the United States Volleyball Association Olympic Development Camp, which is held each summer in Lamoni, Iowa. Diane is also on the board of directors of the USVBA's Delta Region and is presently the director of the Junior Olympic Development program for the Mid-South area. Also during August, Diane and her assistant Nancy Esslinger hold a camp at Memphis State for both boys and girls, age 11-18. Always looking to promote volleyball in this area, Diane's involvement with the USVBA has brought both the United States and Japanese Olympic teams to the MSU Field House the past two years for international matches.
MALE'S CAREER RECORD AT MSU
MILESTONE VICTORIES FOR HALE
YEAR 1978 1979 1980 TOTAL
1st Mississippi U. for Women (9/22/78) 25th Tennessee Tech (11/10/78) 50th Missouri-Kansas City (8/20/79) 75th Clemson (8/3/80) 100th North Carolina (11/20/80)
WON 26 35 41 102
LOST 19 20 17 56
PCT. .578 .636 .707 .646
Assistant Coach Nancy Esslinger
After spending the past two years as a graduate assistant, Nancy Esslinger has become Memphis State'sfirst full-time assistant volleyball coach this year. Prior to her arrival at Memphis State, the 25-year-old Esslinger received her bachelor's degree in physical education at Ole Miss in 1979. While at Ole Miss, Nancy played two seasons of volleyball and appeared both years (1977 and 1978) at the AIAW national championships. During her senior season, she served as a co-captain. Before becoming a Lady Rebel, Nancy competed for two years at the University of North Alabama in 1974 and 1975, then spent a year teaching in Prague, Czechoslovakia in 1976. A native of Florence, Alabama, Nancy began her affiliation with volleyball atBradshawHigh School, which is considered a hot-bed of talent in the south. Holly Buford, Linda Conner, and MSU recruit Linda Page Jones also competed for Bradshaw.
1980 WON-LOST RESULTS Match Record: 41-17
Game Record: 100-55
MEMPHIS STATE beat OLE MISS 10-15.15-11,15-8,15-5
MEMPHIS STATE beat North Alabama 15-13,15-5 @ MEMPHIS STATE beat Alabama-Brlmlngham 15-11,15-7 @ MEMPHIS STATE beat Central Florida 15-15,15-8 @ Texas Tech beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-13,15-6 @ MEMPHIS STATE beat Florida State 15-12,15-8 @ Alabama beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-8,15-2 MEMPHIS STATE beat U.T. Martin 15-5,15-13,10-15,15-5 MEMPHIS STATE beat Mississippi State 7-15,15-4,15-10,15-9 * MEMPHIS STATE beat Louisville 16-14,6-15,15-8 * MEMPHIS STATE beat St. Louis 12-15,15-10,15-8
# # # # *
MEMPHIS STATE beat Tulane 15-9,15-11 Florida State beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-8,15-9 MEMPHIS STATE beat Cincinnati 15-7,15-5 MEMPHIS STATE beat Virginia Tech 15-3,15-10 Florida State beat MEMPHIS STATE 10-15,15-10,15-10 MEMPHIS STATE beat Tennessee Tech 15-5,15-1,15-5 Tennessee beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-9,12-15,14-16,15-11,15-11 $ MEMPHIS STATE beat Clemson 15-10,15-17,15-8 $ MEMPHIS STATE beat Duke 15-10,15-12
$ MEMPHIS STATE beat North Carolina State 16-14,10-15,16-14 $ Kentucky beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-13,16-14 $ South Carolina beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-8,10-15 15-12 mm-— $ North Carolina beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-9,15-7 % MEMPHIS STATE beat Lake C.C. 15-715-2 ©Alabama Invitational (3rd) % Miami beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-11,15-8 * Metro Conference Tournament (3rd) % MEMPHIS STATE beat Flordla Southern 15-3 15-9 * South Carolina Invltatlonal(DNP) % North Carolina beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-10,15-11 % Florlda state Invitational (DNP) « MEMPHIS STATE beat Mississippi U. tor Women 15-3 15-6 * Memphis State Invitational (2nd) « MEMPHIS STATE beat Middle Tennessee State 15-2 15-13 * Southern Illinois Invitational (2nd) « MEMPHIS STATE beat Jefferson C.C. 15-9,15-12 * TCWSF state Tournament (1 st) * Ole Miss beat MEMPHIS STATE 8-15,16-14,15-13 r AIAW Region 2 Tournament (4th) MEMPHIS STATE beat Mississippi State 15-8,15-8.15-6 MEMPHIS STATE beat Arkansas State 15-5,16-14,15-13 ™"™••— & MEMPHIS STATE beat Ball State 15-6,4-15.15-13 & Western Michigan beat MEMPHIS STATE 11-15,15-8,15-6 & MEMPHIS STATE beat Illinois-Chicago Circle 15-6,15-5 & MEMPHIS STATE beat Southern Illinois 15-9,15-11 & Kellogg C.C. beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-8,15-9 & MEMPHIS STATE beat Ball State 15-10,15-11 & Kellogg C.C. beat MEMPHIS STATE 9-15,15-6,16-14 15-4 MEMPHIS STATE beat Ole Miss 15-12,1-15,15-6,3-15,15-12 MEMPHIS STATE beat Austin Peay 15-8,15-2 MEMPHIS STATE beat U.T. Martin 15-2,15-8
MEMPHIS STATE beat Arkansas State 15-9,15-8,15-11 MEMPHIS STATE beat East Tennessee State 15-10,15-0 MEMPHIS STATE beat Tennessee 4-15,15-6,15-12 MEMPHIS STATE beat Tennessee Tech 15-11,15-2 MEMPHIS STATE beat Middle Tennessee State 15-9,10-15,15-9 MEMPHIS STATE beat U.T. Chattanooga 15-1,6-15,15-2 Tennessee beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-13,10-15,15-11 MEMPHIS STATE beat Tennessee 15-5,15-11 I- MEMPHIS STATE beat East Carolina 10-15,17-15,15-3 \S STATE beat North Carolina 7-15.16-14,15-8 I MEMPHIS STATE beat North Carolina State 15-9,14-16,15-13 \S STATE beat Eastern Kentucky 7-15,15-9,15-4 I- Kentucky beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-8, 7-15.15-5,16-14 I Eastern Kentucky beat MEMPHIS STATE 15-4,14-16,15-13,15-8
1981 MEMPHIS STATE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL ROSTER NO.
NAME
POSITION
YEAR
MAJOR
6-0 5-5 5-7 5-10 5-9 6-0 5-10 5-7 5-9
Sophomore Sophomore Senior Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Freshman Freshman Junior
Communications Public Relations Special Education Business Admin. Undecided Physical Education Undecided Special Education Special Education
19 19
5-4 5-8
Sophomore Sophomore
Interior Design Business
20
5-10
Junior
Recreation Admi.
AGE
5 'Holly Buford 6 *Teri Clark 1 'Linda Conner 16 *Kim Fraser 3 Karen Fussell 14 'Beth Johnson 4 Lori Page Jones 10 Drenda Sue Roberts 12 "Cindy Stoots
Hitter Setter Hitter Hitter Hitter Hitter Hitter Hitter-Setter Hitter
21 19 22 19 18 19 18 18 20
11 15
Setter Hitter-Setter Hitter-Setter
'Amy Watson 'Laura Wilson MaryVercande
HT.
* denotes year(s) experience as a Lady Tiger HEAD COACH: Diane Hale (Tennessee, 1975) ASSISTANT COACH: Nancy Esslinger (Ole Miss, 1979) MANAGER: Lisa Earl 81-2191 (2101C2SP)
HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL) Florence, Ala (Bradshaw) Gainesville, Fla (Gainesville) Florence, Ala. (Bradshaw) Miami, Fla.(Sunset) Miami, Fla. (Sunset) Memphis, Tenn. (Briarcrest) Florence, Ala. (Bradshaw) H.Wayne, Ind. (Paul Harding) Memphis, Tenn. (Evangelical Christian) Galloway, Ohio (Westland) Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (Rolling Hills) Garden City, Mich. (School Craft)
NUMERICAL ORDER
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Linda Conner MaryVercande Karen Fussell Lori Page Jones Holly Buford Teri Clark
10. 11. 12. 14. 15. 16.
Drenda Sue Roberts Amy Watson Cindy Stoots Beth Johnson Laura Wilson Kim Fraser
RETURNING PLAYERS #5 HOLLY BUFORD 6-O...Hitter...Sophomore...Florence,AJa. Should give the Lady Tigers an awesome threat... known for her explosive straight-down attacks...almost impossible to penetrate*as a blacker...came through with some incredible saves in the backcourt last year, especially in the state tournament...all-tournament selection at the state meet...won two state championships in high school and served as team captain her senior year...BORN May 15,1960
#6 TERI CLARK 5-5...Setter...Sophomore... Gainesville, Fla. Excellent at making good sets off bad passes... picked up plenty of confidence last year in a reserve role...has shown she can handle the pressure of competition...all-state and team captain her senior year in high school...BORN March 30,1962
#1 LINDA CONNER 5-7...Hitter...Senior-Florence, Ala. Concentrates on defense and hitting...both an explosive and aggressive player..type of player who makes things happen...transferred last year from Ole Miss, where she was named to the all-state team her freshman year...high school team won three state championships...BORN February 23,1959
#16 KIM FRASER 5-10...Hitter...Sophomore...Miami, Fla. A consistent all-around player...major role to the Lady Tigers is blocking...also doesa very good job in the backcourt...both an All-City and All-State selection her senior year in high school...BORN June 19,1962
RETURNING PLAYERS
#14 BETH JOHNSON 6-0 ...Hitter...Sophomore...Memphis, Tenn. Selected as the most improved player on last year's team by coach Hale...comes through when others may be having an off game...always plays at a consistent height of intensity...considered an excellent passer...BORN April 16,1962
#12 CINDY STOOTS 5-9...Hitter..Junior...Memphis, Tenn. Excellent on defense, especially in the backcourt...as a hitter, she uses the blockers well for providing an offensive edge...good at getting the ball above the blockers...always seems to be at the right place at the right time...served as team captain her senior year in high school where she also competed in basketball, track and cross country...BORN October 30,1961
#11 AMY WATSON 5-4...Setter...Sophomore...Galloway, Ohio. Should begin the season as Memphis State's top setter...good hands...makes good decisions asa leader on the court...despite being only 5-4, Amy is considered an excellent blacker due to her timing and leaping ability...has excellent timing and position on the court in relationship to opponent's hitter...captain of high school team during her senior season...BORN March 3, 1962
#15 LAURA WILSON 5-8...Hitter-Setter...Sophomore... Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. Considered the best all-around player on the team... best passer on the squad...started last year as the team's #1 setter, but was later utilized for her serve reception...has excellent awareness on the court...with her California background, Laura has faced some of the best competition in the nation...served as team captain her senior year of high schooL.BORN December 9,1961
NEWCOMERS #3 KAREN FUSSELL 5-9...Hitter...Freshman...Miami, Fla. Played with MSU's Kim Fraser in high school...strong aggressive player with major role as a middle hitter...also effective on outside, but may see more action in the middle...intimidating to opponents' middle blocker...helped lead Sunset High School to the state championship last season and was selected to the All-Dade County team...BORN September 8,1963
#4 LORI PAGE JONES 5-10...Hitter...Freshman...Florence, Ala. Played with Holly Buford during high school career... both women may play side-to-side this year...good blocker, especially off a strong hitter..relaxed on court, excellent team player.joined Buford on Bradshaw's state high school championship team in 1979...BORN December 10,1962
#10 DRENDA SUE ROBERTS 5-7...Hitter-Setter...Freshman...Ft. Wayne, Ind. Should challenge Watson as the Lady Tigers' #1 setter..has a vertical jump of 27 inches which would be the best on the 1981 team...only left-handed hitter on the MSU team... most versatile of the recruits signed...has experience in all three phaseshitting, setting and blocking...earned all state honors in high school...BORN November 27,1962
#2MARYVERCANDE 5-8...Setter.Junior...Garden City, Mich. Mary comes to Memphis State after a highly successful two-year career at Schoolcraft J.C., which finished 2nd in the Michigan, Indiana, Ohio regional last year... named to both the all-region and all-state teams last year..most valuable player during her final two years in high school...BORN August 23,1961
8
MEMPHIS STATE vs. OPPONENTS SINCE 1971 L
Team
W
Alabama 0 1 Ala-Birmingham Arkansas State 8 Auburn 0 Austin Peay 10 1 Ball State Berry College 0 Carson-Newman 3 1 Carthage College Cent. Arkansas 1 Cent. Florida 3 Cent. Missouri 0 1 Charleston, Col. 1 Christian Bros. Cincinnati 1 Clemson 1 Coker College 1 Columbus College 2 1 Danville J.C. 2 Duke 1 East Carolina East Tennessee 5 2 Eastern Kentucky 1 East. Mennonite Eastern Michigan 0 2 Fisk Flagler College 0 1 Florence State Florida Inter. 0 2 Florida So. 1 Florida State 1 Francis Marion 1 Freed Hardeman 1 Georgia 1 Graceland Col. 1 Henderson State
6 0 3 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 0
Hinds J.C. Houston Illinois-Chicago Illinois State Jackson State Jacksonville Jefferson C.C. Kansas State Kearney State Kellogg C.C. Kentucky Kentucky State Lake C.C. Lambuth Langler College Louisiana State Louisville Madison College Mars Hill Memphis Volley Miami Miami Dade C.C. Mid. Tennessee Milligan Millington Mississippi Mississippi Col. Mississippi St. Miss. U/Women Missouri Missouri-K.C. Morehead State Murray State New Orleans Nichols State North Alabama
1 0 North Carolina 0 1 North Carol. St. 1 1 North Georgia 0 2 Northern Illinois 2 0 Northern Iowa 1 0 Northern Kentucky 3 0 N.E. Illinois 0 2 Oklahoma 0 1 Peabody 0 2 Purdue 0 2 South Carolina 1 0 S.E. Missouri St. 1 0 Southern Illinois 8 1 Southwest Baptist 1 0 S.W. Missouri St. 0 1 Southwestern 2 0 S.W.Louisiana 1 1 St. Louis 1 0 Tennessee 1 0 Tennessee Tech 0 2 Texas 1 0 Texas A&M 19 1 Texas Southern 1 0 Texas Tech 3 0 Troy State 5 11 Tulane 1 0 Union 6 1 U.T. Chattanooga 6 6 U.T.Martin 2 0 Virginia Tech 1 0 West Carolina 1 1 Western Illinois 5 1 Western Michigan 2 1 Wichita State 1 0 Winthrop College 3 0
WON -LOST RECORDS SINCE 1971
1
0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 0 1 0 1 0
1
0 5 0 0 0 0 0
L
W
W
Team
Team
L
1 3 2 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 4 0 0 1 0 1 4 0 5 3 2 0 0 1 11 0 1 1 1 0 6 15 7 6 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 2 3 1 0 5 1 20 4 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 3
YEAR
COACH
RECORDS
1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 TOTAL
Jane Hooker Jane Hooker Janice Dunn Janice Dunn Janice Dunn Janice Dunn Janice Dunn Diane Hale Diane Hale Diane Hale
17- 5 20- 9 18- 7 13- 7 15- 16 12- 23 23- 11 26- 19 35- 20 41-17 220-134
1981 MSU Volleyball Schedule Sept.
18-19 22 25-26 29
at Southwest Missouri Quad OLE MISS (dual) 7 p.m. at Kentucky Invitational ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM (dual) 7 p.m.
Oct
2 6
at Missouri Invitational at Alabama—Birmingham (dual)
9 11 16-17
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (dual) MISSISSIPPI STATE (dual) 2:30 p.m. MSU LADY TIGER INVITATIONAL (tba)
23-24 30-31 6 11 19-21
at at at at at
Nov.
Dec.
11-12 18-19
Tennessee Invitational Ole Miss Invitational Mississippi State (dual) Ole Miss (dual) Metro Conference Tournament (Cincinnati, Ohio) at NCAA Regional Championships at NCAA National Championships
All HOME MEETS HELD IN THE MSU FIELD HOUSE