HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker College women's volleyball team, under the direction of second-year head coach Julia Rafalowski, is set to begin its 2016 season on Friday, Sept. 2 on the road at the Running Eagle Classic hosted by Life University.
A Quick Look Back
In just their second season competing in the South Atlantic Conference, the Cobras collected four wins during the 2015 season. Victories came against out-of- conference foes Cheyney, Shaw, Converse, and in-conference opponent Queens.
In addition to their victories on the court, the Cobras excelled in the classroom and earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale.
2016 Season Outlook
The Cobras return 12 players from last year's roster and add six newcomers. Two returners who should lead the team offensively include Madison Bingle and Christen Bragg. Bingle was an offensive threat collecting a team-high 254 kills, while Bragg was tied for the team-high in sets with 99.
"Madison Bingle will start to stand out some more", said Rafalowski. "You'll also see a lot of Christen Bragg. We're hoping she can make the move from not just setting, but also becoming a power hitter because she has a great swing."
The returners should have a huge impact on the team's success this season, but newcomers Bethany Prochnow, Sierra Harvey, Greysen Newberry, and Taylor du Bray could make some noise as well.
"Bethany Prochnow is someone who can give us another dimension in the middle," stated Rafalowski. "And Sierra Harvey will make us a more well rounded team in the middle."
Fresh faces on the team look to improve the defensive aspect of the game, but the Cobras have a couple of new additions that could provide a spark offensively.
"Greysen Newberry is going to give us a little extra something this season," said Rafalowski. "And Taylor du Bray has given us a different dimension in our offense."
The Cobras have set high expectations and have established many goals for the upcoming season. "The biggest goal for us this year is just to continue to improve," stated Rafalowski. "Every time we step on the court we want to get better and we want to start making some noise in the South Atlantic Conference."
What to Watch For
The Coker women's volleyball team was selected to finish twelfth in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll, with Wingate University claiming the top spot. The full preseason poll can be found here.
"I think we're in a position now where we can start to see better results," said Rafalowski. "After practice last week, I had high hopes and a lot of confidence that we're going to reach a lot of our goals."
The Cobras 29 game schedule includes seven non-conference games and 22 South Atlantic showdowns. Coker battles Wingate on Sept. 13 and Oct. 18, and challenges Carson-Newman on Sept. 23 and Oct. 28, both who have received votes in the AVCA Preseason National Rankings.
You can watch the full interview with head coach Julia Rafalowski here.