Centenary College of Louisiana Volleyball Media Guide

24 Pages·2000·7.6 MB·English

by  Centenary College of Louisiana Athletic Department

(Back Lto R): Head Coach Holly Tarter, Jessica Tennison, Niki Dawson, Karin Asplin, Allison Prestridge, Brandi Patterson, and Krissi McFarland.
(Front L to R): Lavashia Graham, Christi Hindman, Amanda Couch, Casey Varnado, Joci Petten, and Assistant Coach Celeste Cerda.
NO. NAME POS. HT. CL.-EXP. HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL
14 Karin Asplin OH/S 6-0 So.-IL Katy, Texas (James E. Taylor HS)
2 Amanda Couch S/DEF 5-5 Fr.-HS Wichita Falls, Texas (Wichita Falls HS)
7 Niki Dawson MB/OH 5-11 Fr.-HS Katy, Texas (Katy HS)
6 Lavashia Graham OH 5-8 Fr.-HS Longview, Texas (Longview HS)
12 Krissi McFarland OH 6-0 Sr.-3L Fort Worth, Texas (Keller HS)
17 Brandi Patterson MB/OH 6-0 Fr.-HS Paris, Texas (North Lamar HS)
8 Joci Petten OH 5-10 Jr.-2L Texarkana, Texas (Texas HS)
9 Allison Prestridge OH/MB 6-3 So.-IL Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Central HS)
3 Jessica Tennison OH/DEF 5-8 So.-IL North Richland Hills, Texas (Keller HS)
15 Casey Varnado OH/S 5-8 Fr.-HS Big Sandy, Texas (Big Sandy HS)
HEAD COACH:
Holly Tarter (Sul Ross State 1992)
ASSISTANT COACH:
Celeste Cerda (Southeastern Oklahoma State 2000)
ATHLETIC TRAINER: Michelle Haynie
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MEDIA INFORMATION CONTENTS
The 2000 Centenary College volleyball media guide CENTENARY COLLEGE
is designed to aid in your coverage of Ladies volleyball. QuickFacts.2
Requests for media credentials to all Ladies home
Administration.3
matches must be made at least a day in advance. Please
Centenary.4
contact the Sports Information Department for creden¬
tials.
COACHES
At home matches the media will be provided with
Tarter/Cerda.5
rosters, updated statistics and other essential informa¬
tion. Please direct questions regarding interviews or
THE LADIES
team information to Assistant Sports Information
Team Picture/Roster.6
Director, David Pratt at [phone].
Outlook.7
As always, we welcome your coverage of the
McFarland/Petten/Asplin.8
Centenary volleyball program.
Prestridge/Tennison/Couch.9
Dawson/Graham/Patterson/Varnado.10
CREDITS
1999 Statistics/Results.11
Records.12-15
The 2000 Centenary College volleyball media guide
Year by Year.16-19
was designed and produced by Sports Information
All-Time Roster.19
Director Patrick Netherton and Assistant Sports
Information Director David Pratt.
Special thanks to Complete Printing and Publishing STAFF
of Carthage, Texas and Greg Barnett. Athletic Staff.20
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT PHONE DIRECTORY
ADMINISTRATION PHONE HEAD COACHES PHONE
Director of Athletics Baseball
Ed McCann [phone]
Dr. David Bedard [phone]
Basketball
Academic Counseling
Kevin Johnson-Men (318) 869-5089
Tom Cathey [phone]
John Raff-Women (318) 869-5758
Business Manager Cross Country
Rosemary Griggs [phone] Julie Cavalier-Women (318) 868-5624
Golf
Sports Information Director
Martin Stuart-Men (318) 865-7888
Patrick Netherton [phone]
A.W. “Buck” Fulco-Women (318) 841-7314
Assistant Sports Info. Director
Gymnastics
David Pratt [phone]
Bill Hardy [phone]
Compliance Coordinator/SWA Rifle
Terry Ennis [phone] Elwyn Evans-MAV (318) 869-5150
Soccer
Sports Medicine
Jed Jones-M/W (318) 869-5165
Alan Edwards [phone]
Softball
Michelle Haynie [phone]
Lisa Root (318) 869-5094
Tennis
Larry Jacobs (318) 869-5285
Volleyball
Holly Tarter (318) 869-5717
2000 Centenary Volleyball Media Guide Page 1
QUICK FACTS
CENTENARY COLLEGE OF LOLMSiANA
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Founded: 1825
Enrollment: 850
President: Dr. Kenneth L. Schwab (Purdue 1969)
Director of Athletics: Dr. David Bedard (Northwestern 1968)
Nickname: Ladies
Colors: Maroon & White
Affiliation: NCAA Division I
Conference: Independent
Home Arena: Gold Dome (3,000)
LAMES YOLLEYBALL
Head Coach: Holly Tarter (Sul Ross State 1992)
Overall Record/Year: 18-39 (.316) (Div. m)/First Year (Div. I)
Centenary Record/Year: 0-0 (.000)/First Year
Assistant Coach: Celeste Cerda
1999 Overall Record: 21-13 (.610)
Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 5/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/2
Volleyball Phone: [phone]
Best Time to Call: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SPORTS INFORMATION
Sports Information Director: Patrick Netherton (Ouachita Baptist 1999)
Assistant SID: David Pratt (Centenary 1999)
Student Assistants: Jessica Haas, Luke McClung, Billy Pritchard
SID Office Phone: [phone]
Volleyball Contact: David Pratt
Pratt’s Home Phone: [phone]
SID Fax: [phone]
Press Row Phone: [phone]
Mailing Address: Centenary Sports Information
P.O. Box 41188
Shreveport, LA 71134-1188
Page 2 2000 Centenaiy Volleyball Media Guide
ADMINISTRATION
DR. lil. YM. lll I. SCHWAB
President
Dr. Kenneth L. Schwab, an award-winning educator with a keen interest in
leadership and strategic planning, was appointed Centenary College’s 34th President,
August 7, 1991.
His efforts to maintain Centenary’s reputation as one of the premier liberal arts colleges
in the nation has resulted in enhanced student life and increased academic quality
during his tenure.
Dr. Schwab came to Centenary from the University of South Carolina where he
was Executive Vice President for Administration (1988-91) after serving as Executive
Assistant to the President for Institutional Planning (1986-88).
From 1970-1986, Dr. Schwab held administrative positions at Guliford College in Greensboro, NC. He was the
Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residential Operations (1970-74), Dean of Students (1974-80) and
Assistant to the President for Institutional Planning and Community Relations (1980-86).
Dr. Schwab holds the doctor of education degree (1978) from Indiana University, master of education degree
(1972) from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and the bachelor of science degree (1969) from Purdue
University, where he graduated with honors as the 1969 Outstanding Senior. He has done post-graduate studies at
both Johns Hopkins University and Harvard.
Dr. Schwab and his wife, Patricia, who also has a doctorate in education, are the parents of three sons:
Kempten, Carlton, and Christopher.
DR. DAVID BEDARD
Director of Athletics
Centenary’s athletic department began a new era on January 1, when new
Athletic Director Dr. David Bedard took over for departing A.D. Russ Sharp.
Bedard is a familiar face to the athletic offices of Centenary, having been a
professor in the health and exercise science department for more than 18 years. He
begins his first year as the athletic director with a lot of things on his plate, foremost
being to move the athletic department into a conference in Division I of the NCAA.
Bedard understands and can empathize with the student-athletes and coaches
under his administration, having been both a student-athlete and a coach at
Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. He was a three-time All-American gymnast and a gymnastics
coach before moving on to get his doctorate in college teaching of health and physical education from Texas A&M
University in Commerce.
Having recently chaired the Steering Committee for NCAA Athletics Certification, as well as the Fiscal
Integrity and Academic Integrity subcommittees, Centenary President Dr. Kenneth Schwab knew Bedard would
be the right fit.
“This is a critical moment in our athletic program’s history as we seek affiliation with a new conference,
and I know that Dr. Bedard will lead us through and beyond this important step,” said Schwab.
Bedard is married to the former Carol Grant. They have two children: Emily and Julie.
2000 Centenary Volleyball Media Guide Page 3
THE COLLEGE
ACADEMICS pionship teams and earning induction into the Pro Football Hall of
Nationally recognized by U.S. News and World Report, Money Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. He is a triple rarity in
Magazine, Peterson’s Guide to Competitive Colleges and others, Cen¬ that he also is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame as an umpire.
tenary College of Louisiana is noted for providing an environment Centenary is also part of an NCAA football record that has stood
for success, both for its students and for its faculty. for 60 years—most punts by two teams in one game. The Gents and
Founded in 1825, Centenary College is the oldest private liberal Texas Tech combined for 77 punts as they battled to a 0-0 tie, No¬
arts institution West of the Mississippi River. vember 11, 1938 in Shreveport. In that game players reported the rain
Centenary provides a superior education for students capable of was so hard that the water was entirely above their shoes.
intellectual leadership and for those who can benefit from study in an Centenary discontinued football in 1947 due to the poor oil
academic community where excellence is encouraged and individu¬ economy in the Ark-La-Tex region.
ality is respected.
Centenary places emphasis on preparations for various profes¬ TODAY
sions. The college is an institution of the United Methodist Church. Centenary is currently in its second year as an NCAA Division I in¬
Centenary boasts a student/professor ratio of 11 to 1 for its 852 dependent after spending 21 years as a member of the Trans America
undergraduates, while classes Athletic Conference.
rarely exceed 30 in introductory Centenary sponsors 16 inter¬
courses. Centenary is a member of collegiate sports. Men’s sports
the Southern Association of Col¬ that are offered include baseball,
leges and Schools. basketball, cross country, golf,
Recently, a Centenary educa¬ rifle, soccer and tennis.
tion was recognized in “U.S. News Women’s sports that are of¬
and World Report” as the best fered include basketball, cross
value among regional universities country, golf, gymnastics, rifle,
in the South. Centenary also ranks soccer, softball, tennis and volley¬
eighth among the South’s top uni¬ ball for women.
versities in the magazine’s
“America’s Best Colleges’’ issue. OCR YICKYAME
Shreveport is located on the The unique nickname “Gentle¬
west bank of the Red River in men” was first established in the
northwest Louisiana. The metro¬ fall of 1921 by then Centenary
politan area has a population in President George Sexton. It seems
excess of 300,000 and forms the the football team had been in a
geographical, cultural, and eco¬ fight the previous game, and Sex¬
nomic center of the region known MAGALE LIBRARY ton sat the team down before the
as the Ark-La-Tex. Centenary is next game and told the players,
located two miles from downtown Shreveport. “...from now on, you will all act like Gentlemen”.
With the majority of Centenary men also soldiers, the moniker
ATHLETICS “Gentlemen” was a logical choice. A tongue-in-cheek account that
Centenary has a treasured history in athletics, dating back to 1894 first mentioned the new nickname appeared in the 1923 Yoncopin
when the school fielded its first football team for a game with Louisi¬ (Centenary’s yearbook) in the football summary.
ana State University.
Centenary once boasted of having one of the finest football teams “...there was some doubt on the eve of the first game. Reports from
in the nation. The Gents posted a perfect 10-0 record back in 1927 the Marshall camp had them recruiting from the boiler factories and
with a team coached by Homer Norton. we were made to believe that the Marshall team was coming to Shreve¬
That year, Centenary defeated four Southwest Conference oppo¬ port to mop-up with the ‘Gentlemen’ (you see we had just taken the
nents (SMU, Baylor, Rice, and TCU) to start the season and finished name of the ‘Centenary Gentlemen’ and far be it from us to start a
off the memorable campaign with a 59-2 whipping of Louisville. Cen¬ dispute just at that time). Well, we put on our best manners but just
tenary outscored its opponents 261-38 over the 10-game span. couldn’t help running up a 77-0 score... ”
In that era, 13 Centenary football players went on to professional
careers, including: Conway Baker, Buddy Parker, and Robert “Cal” The nickname has stuck ever since and it was natural to call the
Hubbard. women’s teams the “Ladies” when the school began women’s sports
Hubbard was the most illustrious of the group, starring on cham¬ in the 1960’s.
Page 4 2000 Centenary Volleyball Media Guide
COACHES
HOLLY TARTER
Head Coach
Holly Tarter was introduced as the new volleyball coach for Centenary in
January.
Tarter comes to Centenary after two years as the head coach at Hardin-
Simmons, a Division III program in Abilene, Texas. While at Hardin-
Simmons, Tarter amassed an 18-39 record, which is impressive considering the
fact that she was unable to offer her players scholarships to the school because
of the Division III affiliation.
"Holly is a great fit for us right now," said Bedard. "She has a lot of good experience in volleyball
coaching, in both the high school and college level." Tarter was the head volleyball coach and a junior
high teacher at Levelland High School for one year (1997-98) before moving on to HSU. She was also
the coach of the eighth-grade basketball and track teams while at Levelland.
Before moving to Levelland in 1997, Tarter was a teacher and volleyball coach at Round Rock High
School. While there, she led the volleyball squad to a 23-11 record, a district championship, and a
regional quarterfinal berth
As a four-year player for Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, Tarter was named to the All-
TIAA team in 1989 and 1990, and was named the conference and district player of the week in both
seasons. In 1990, she was named team captain and earned the award as the team's best all-around player
following that season.
"I am very excited to have this opportunity and a chance to work with a quality group of athletes,"
said Tarter. "They have been very receptive to my ideas, and I think we can continue to build on the
success that Coach Kinnison had before me.”
Tarter replaces Frances Kinnison, who left to become the first volleyball coach at Texas A&M-
Corpus Christi, which has just established an athletic program.
"Centenary had its most impressive season ever last year, and we wanted to bring in a successful
coach that could continue the growth we have been experiencing," said Bedard.
CELESTE CERDA
Assistant Coach
Celeste Cerda begins her first season as an assistant volleyball coach for the
Ladies after playing volleyball for Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant,
OK, for two years and for two season at Frank Phillips College in Borger, TX.
Cerda was a starter for the Lady Savages of Southeastern, and mainly a
defensive specialist. She notched 306 digs in her senior season, and led the team in
service aces with 42.
For the Ladies, Cerda will be in charge of scheduling road trips and conditioning, as well as working
with the defenders and helping with service technique.
Cerda, a native of Dallas, attended Poteet High School, where she was a two-year starter for th e
volleyball team before going to Frank Phillips and then on to Southeastern Oklahoma.
Cerda’s parents are Debbie and Charlie, and she has two sisters: Stefanie and Lisa, and three brothers:
Jason, Charlie and Chase.
2000 Centenaiy Volleyball Media Guide Page 5
THE TEAM
t \m f „ am ? A
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(Back L to R): Head Coach Holly Tarter, Jessica Tennison, Niki Dawson, Karin Asplin, Allison Prestridge, Brandi Patterson, and Krissi McFarland.
(Front L to R): Lavashia Graham, Christi Hindman, Amanda Couch, Casey Varnado, Joci Petten, and Assistant Coach Celeste Cerda.
NO. NAME POS. HI. CL.-EXP. HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL
14 Karin Asplin OH/S 643 So.-IL Katy, Texas (James E. Taylor HS)
2 Amanda Couch S/DEF 5-5 Fr.-HS Wichita Falls, Texas (Wichita Falls HS)
7 Niki Dawson MB/OH 5-11 Fr.-HS Katy, Texas (Katy HS)
6 Lavashia Graham OH 5-8 Fr.-HS Longview, Texas (Longview HS)
12 Krissi McFarland OH 64) Sr.-3L Fort Worth, Texas (Keller HS)
17 Brandi Patterson MB/OH 64) Fr.-HS Paris, Texas (North Lamar HS)
8 Joci Petten OH 5-10 Jr.-2L Texarkana, Texas (Texas HS)
9 Allison Prestridge OH/MB 6-3 So.-IL Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Central HS)
3 Jessica Tennison OH/DEF 5-8 So.-IL North Richland Hills, Texas (Keller HS)
15 Casey Varnado OH/S 5-8 Fr.-HS Big Sandy, Texas (Big Sandy HS)
HEAD COACH: Holly Tarter (Sul Ross State 1992)
ASSISTANT COACH: Celeste Cerda (Southeastern Oklahoma State 2000)
ATHLETIC TRAINER: Michelle Haynie
LADIES BY CLASS PROYLYCIATIOY GLIDE
Freshmen (5) : Couch, Dawson, Graham, Lavashia Graham: La-vay-sha Graham
Patterson, Varnado
Joci Petten: Jah-see Petten
Sophomores (3) : Asplin, Prestridge, Tennison
Casey Varnado: Casey Var-na-doe
Juniors (1) : Petten
Seniors (1) : McFarland
Page 6 2000 Centenaiy Volleyball Media Guide
SEASON OUTLOOK
C’E.YTEVIRY LAMES 2000 PREVIEW
The Centenary Ladies volleyball team is under construction “Jessica is very deceptive because of her size,” said Tarter.
this season, as new coach Holly Tarter comes in, replacing “You wouldn’t think she was a powerful hitter at her size, but
Frances Kinnison who left to be the first head coach at Texas she is a very powerful hitter and a very good all-around player.”
A&M-Corpus Christi. Prestridge finished last season with 177 kills and 65 total
Tarter brings a hard-working, direct approach to the Ladies blocks, including 17 solo blocks.
this season, something that she thinks can only force the team “Allison has the height and size to be a terrific player, and
to improve. once she becomes more acquainted with the system she will be
“I am much more direct in telling the players what I expect a wonderful player for us.”
out of them,” said Tarter. “But I think that this style helps them Asplin is under the added stress of learning a new position
understand the day-in, day-out process that it will take to make this season, as she is moving from outside hitter to setter. Asplin
this team good.” had 138 kills last season, but only 10 sets, a number she will
Tarter comes to Centenary from Division El Hardin-Simmons significantly increase this season as a setter.
University in Texas, where she faced the prospect of fielding a “Karin has stepped up to be the starting setter,” said Tarter.
team without the availability of scholarships. Jumping up to “She is very smart and has a level head on her shoulders and
Division I just raises her expectation level of herself and her good court vision.”
team, especially with scholarships to give to recruits. The freshman class is a large one for Centenary, as Tarter
“We have high expectations in the skill level of the players has relied on the high school ranks to stock her team this season.
and their ability to make this team successful,” said Tarter. She brought in five freshmen, three attackers and two setters.
With several players leaving before the season started, Tarter Lavashia Graham (Longview, TX), Niki Dawson (Katy, TX)
has been forced to field a squad with very little college and Brandi Patterson are the three attackers, and Tarter expects
experience. She understands that the future of the team is bright, all three to step in right away and contribute.
even if there might be cloudy times for the near future. “Lavashia, Niki and Brandi all have good power and superior
“Once our players gain that experience of playing Division athleticism,” said Tarter. “I expect all of them to see good playing
I level volleyball, they will become much better,” said Tarter. time immediately, but they are the future of this program. They
“However, they are inexperienced and young right now, so we are all going to lay the foundation of this squad for years to
look for them to make small steps. Enough small steps and they come.”
will find themselves at the level they need to be.” Amanda Couch (Wichita Falls, TX) and Casey Vamado (Big
The team only has one senior and one junior to rely on for Sandy, TX) will provide some depth at setter, and Vamado will
leadership, and Tarter fully expects to lean on them this season also see time at outside hitter.
to help the team. “Amanda is quick on her feet and will be a good player once
Krissi McFarland (Fort Worth, TX) is the lone senior on she adjusts to the collegiate level,” said Tarter. “Casey is the
the team, but Tarter knows she is the overall leader of the squad. hardest worker on the team and will be an effective player for
McFarland is an outside hitter who finished last season with us.”
183 kills and 55 total blocks. Tarter understands that her first season will be a trying one
“Krissi is one of the most consistent hitters on the team, after losing so many players before the season, but she is
and she is definitely the best weakside hitter on the squad,” determined to make sure that her first season is not a bad season,
said Tarter. even if it may not be a winning season.
Joci Petten (Texarkana, TX) is the only junior, and the player “We have a lot of good players on this team, and given time,
Tarter will rely on most to keep the team’s energy up. Petten is I think we will be able to build a very competitive and winning
also an outside hitter, who totaled 88 kills and 108 digs for the program here at Centenary,” said Tarter.
Ladies in 1999.
“Joci is always there to help keep the team motivated and
prepared to work hard,” said Tarter. “In addition, she is a terrific
offensive player who will be a key weapon for us.”
The sophomore class is a strong one for the Ladies, featuring
Jessica Tennison (North Richland. TX), Allison Prestridge
(Baton Rouge, LA) and Karin Asplin (Katy, TX).
Tennison and Prestridge are outside hitters who performed
well for Centenary last season. Tennison notched 182 kills and
46 service aces for the team, as well as 217 digs.
2000 Centenaiy Volleyball Media Guide Page 7
PLAYER PROFILES
KRISSI MCFARLAND
Outside Hitter
6-0, Senior
Fort Worth, Texas
(Keller HS)
Krissi comes into the 2000 season as the sole returning senior. She will be counted
upon to fill a leadership role for the Ladies this year. Krissi currently ranks in
the top ten of several Centenary volleyball records including career block as¬
sists, block solos, kill attempts, kills, service aces, and total blocks. In 1999,
Krissi tallied 183 kills, posted .151 kill percentage, and finished third on the
team with 55 total blocks. In 1998, she totaled 164 kills, 33 blocks, and 120
digs. In 1997, she finished third on the team with 124 kills and added 138 digs.
Personal: Bom September 2,1978 in Fort Worth, TX...Krissi is the daughter of Don and Vickie McFarland
...She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes...Full name is Krissi Louise McFarland.
JOCI PETTEN
Outside Hitter
5-10, Junior
Texarkana, Texas
(Texas HS)
Joci enters the 2000 season as the Ladies’ only junior. Together, Petten and teammate
McFarland represent the two upperclassmen on the Centenary squad this year.
Joci will be looked upon as the motivational leader of the Ladies. Her 35 block
assists in 1998 places her ninth all-time for most block assists in a single sea¬
son. In 1999, Joci registered 88 kills, 16 service aces, and 108 digs. In 1998,
she made an immediate impact as a freshman with her 123 kills. Joci posted a career high 11 kills in a match against
Grambling State and notched 10 digs versus Texas Southern.
Personal: Bom October 4, 1980 in Chillicothe, OH...Joci is the daughter of Robert and Sherry Petten...She
has one brother and one sister...Full name is Jocelyn Renee Petten.
KARIN ASPLIN
Outside Hitter/Setter
6-0, Sophomore
Katy, Texas
(Taylor HS)
Karin is one of three returning sophomores for the Ladies. Last season Karin was an
effective outside hitter for Centenary, but this year she will be asked to move over
to setter. In 1999, Karin was fifth on the team with 138 kills and fourth with a
kill percentage of 1.90. She also totaled 19 service aces and 146 digs while
playing 88 games. Prep: Karin earned two letters in volleyball and soccer at
James E. Taylor High School. She was named to the all-district teams in both volleyball and soccer for the
Mustangs.
Personal: Bom May 4, 1981 in Houston, TX...Karin is the daughter of Lyle and Marsha Asplin...She has
one sister...She is an elementary education major.
Page 8 2000 Centenaiy Volleyball Media Guide