Quick Facts

2 0 0 8 V o l l e y b a l lS e a s o n O u t l o o kM i d d l e B l o c k e rNewberry may be losing two of its top players at this position,but the team believes it has enough depth to still be aforce along the net. Niki and Dani Hroblak (Lake Wylie, S.C.)will be looking to have breakout seasons in 2008. These twoplayers were reserves last season, but the time is now forthem to help Newberry achieve its goal of winning the SouthAtlantic Conference.S e t t e rLast season’s freshman sensation Brianna Blakely (Houston,Texas) is returning to Newberry. Blakely put up historic numberslast year racking up 9.6 assists per game. After one seasonof collegiate volleyball she is already 10th all time amongthe career assists leaders at Newberry.S c h e d u l eCoach Nicholson believes the schedule is favorable and a runat the conference championship is the ultimate goal. The teamwill start the season off at the Anderson University Invitational,a tournament in which the team will face strong opponents outsidetheir conference and give Newberry fans a glimpse into howgood this team can be.Newberry’s home opener will be September 2 against USC Aiken.The conference schedule begins on September 19 at MarsHill. On October 7, the team will play at Wingate for what may bethe most crucial match of the season. Wingate defeated Newberrythree times last season on their way to winning the SACchampionship. An early win against them will be a big boost forthe scarlet and gray.Backing up Blakely is freshman setter Lindsey Hollingsworthfrom Charleston S.C. Hollingsworth played high school volleyballat Bishop England High School where she won the highschool state championship three times. Her championship experiencewill help this team on and off the court.Defensive Specialist/LiberoNewberry’s defense will be anchored in the back row by returninglibero Nadia Andrade (Belo Horizonte, Brazil). In herfreshman season she was Newberry’s best defensive weaponin the back court. She led the team in total digs and averaged3.09 digs per game, which is seventh in the Newberry singleseason record book.Andrade will have some help in the back this year from incomingdefensive specialist Brittany Wood (Pendleton, S.C.).Wood played high school volleyball at Pendleton HS andreceived all region honors twice. Wood, along with Hollingsworth,will have the opportunity to have an immediate impactin her freshman season.Last season’s overall record of 19-9 was the best in Newberryhistory, but those accomplishments are now in the past. Lichtieknows that this team can do better and hopes that Newberry fanswill come out and cheer them on all season.“I hope everyone can come out and support us and we promiseto bring some great entertainment and competition.”B r i a n n a B l a k e l y“Their participation will force competition for playing time andthat will drive all of us to be better, plus our practice reps willbe at a higher level,” Kember Lichtie says.N e w b e r r y A t h l e t i c S i t e . c o m