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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
SportsVolleyball

Mullis excited to improve in conference play

Preston Goehring
Deyzha Samuelu (23), redshirt freshman of Huntington Beach, California, spikes the ball over the net Saturday during a scrimmage at the Chicoine Events Center.—Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky
Deyzha Samuelu (23), redshirt freshman of Huntington Beach, California, spikes the ball over the net Saturday during a scrimmage at the Chicoine Events Center.—Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky

As the 2016 season approaches, the CSC volleyball team, under first year Head Coach Riann Mullis, look to improve on last year’s heartbreaking season. In 2015, the Eagles fell just short of the post season, with a record of 9-17, 8-10 in the conference.

The team took the court, Saturday, for a competitive scrimmage in the Chicoine Center.

Mullis said she expects to be more competitive in the conference.

“If we can focus on the changes that we have made and focus on things that are in our control, we will be competitive,” she said.

The Eagles are returning six players that filled starting roles for a portion of last season.

Most notably, Rudy Leasau, senior of LaMesa, California, returns as one of the conference’s top outside hitters. Leasau earned a Second Team All-RMAC selection last season, and a spot on the preseason All-Conference team.

Another outside hitter, Gaby Varela, junior of Dorado, Puerto Rico, finished second in kills behind Leasau last season, and will be another important asset for the Eagles’ frontcourt.

Still a young, developing team, the Eagles have just three seniors, with a handful of key underclassmen.

Madison Webb, sophomore of Loveland, Colorado, returns to the court after a dominating freshman campaign.

Along with her, middle hitter Kenzie Chrisman, sophomore of Sterling, Colorado, and libero Sierra Winkle, sophomore of Tucson, Arizona, hope to improve on their first season.

Mullis was busy in the offseason, bringing in several talented recruits, including three transfer students, and two freshmen.

Emily Bruce, junior of Centerton, Arkansas, was one of the top defensive specialists in the nation last year, playing with Fort Scott Community College, Kansas.

Another defensive specialist, transfer junior Maaryn Davis, a Chadron native, saw quality court time during the scrimmage. Davis transferred from Sheridan College, Wyoming, where she was one of the best setters in junior college.

Mullis said that the team has looked good in practice and is excited for the season.

“I’m excited to see improvements on the things we have been working on,” Mullis said. “We have a good group of girls. If we stay together and stay focused we can do really well.”

The hitting squad battled intensely throughout the scrimmage, each player making a bid for a starting position.

The Eagles will open their season Friday, in San Diego at the Point Loba Nazarene University Seaside Invitational. At the invite, CSC will duel four teams in two days. The first will be against Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, Michigan, at 11:45 a.m. MST. The Eagles will then play the host team, Point Loma Nazarene University, at 4:30 p.m. MST.

The Eagles will go up against a familiar foe in Western New Mexico University, Silver City, 9:30 a.m. MST Saturday, and finish off the weekend against California Baptist University, Riverside, at 6:45 p.m. MST.

The first home game for CSC isn’t until Sept. 23, where the Eagles will host Western State Colorado University, Gunnison.

“We have a lot of potential,” Mullis said. “It motivates the girls and it motivates me.”