Experience, youth and talent fuel 2013 volleyball team

Coming into the 2013 season, Coach Janel Baily and the Chadron State College volleyball team return six players from last year’s roster and nine new recruits this year.

Leading the way are seniors Jessica Jester of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Barbie DeCent of Paxton.

Entering her fourth straight year Jester brings an abundance of experience and is the lone returning middle blocker from last season.

“She is a player who has seen significant playing time over the years and she brings a lot to the team for us, especially with her being the only returning blocker from last year’s team,” Bailey said Tuesday.

DeCent, a red shirt last year due to issues about credits transferring from Mid Plains Community College, North Platte, joins Jester to lead the team. Even though DeCent sat one year, Baily believes she will have a major impact this coming season.

“Last season, DeCent could’ve been a key contributor, but now that we do have her, we hope to see her be a key factor this year, especially at the outside hitter position,” Baily said.

DeCent and Jester lead the way on the senior front, and in Baily’s eyes,  the upcoming team has talent, youth, and experience.

“Practices have been going great, the atmosphere in the gym is competitive and that has been leading to hard work which comes along with great energy,” Baily said, “I am very excited at where we are at right now compared to this time last year.”

Of the nine newcomers, four are junior college transfers,  the remaining five are freshmen.

“With the nine newcomers and the six returners, the team looks pretty talented this year and right now, if I needed to put a starting line up together, it would be pretty tough because that is just how talented we are this year,” Baily said.

Jester and DeCent said they both look to leave a mark with the returnees and the newcomers.

“I want to leave an impact of positive encouragement and being patient, especially when it comes to learning the system, and with those keys, I know the team can be successful this year,” Jester said.

DeCent had a different view about her role.

“I want to leave an impact of hard work and dedication. I want myself and the team to have the expectations of winning and knowing we can win when we are down and we will do that by using what we learn in practice in the game,” she said.

The team  opens its season Sept. 6 at the University of Nebraska-Kearney Tournament.

In the first round the Eagles face the Jets of Newman University, Wichita, Kan., at 4 p.m. Sept. 6. Later that day, the Eagles square off  against Nebraska–Kearney at 8 p.m. Game three they face South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City, at 10 a.m. Sept. 7. The Eagles close the tourney against William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo., at 2 p.m. Sept. 7.