August 11, 2009

Winston-Salem, NC-The volleyball team at Salem College is hoping to improve on its school record 14 wins from 2008. The team will have its most experienced returning players ever, and will also add five first-years and a transfer for the 2009 squad. Head Coach Amanda Ziemba says “We hope that this season will be the best for Salem Volleyball in its short history.”

Christine Tillman, a junior from King, NC, will be a pivotal part of this year’s team. She was selected to the 2008 All-Association of Division III Independents Second Team in 2008. She was also placed on the Spirit Classic All-Tourney Team and River City All-Tourney Team last year.

Another returner that had a strong 2008 season is Sara Maher, a sophomore from Longmont, CO. Maher led the team in sets last season, and will be counted on again this season as the team’s setter. Nicole Swinney (Woodlawn, VA) will be the only senior on the team.

“We finally have a full class of upper classman, which should help us with experience and confidence.  We have always had talented first-year students, as we do again this year, but I think the key for us is growing the size of our program and developing a leadership mentality in our upper classman,” said Ziemba.

The volleyball team opens up their season at home on September 1^st as they host Johnson C. Smith at 7:00. Ziemba stated "I am excited and looking forward to seeing how the season develops."