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Introducing BU’s all-time volleyball all-stars

By Brice Cherry | Friday, January 2, 2009, 06:00 AM

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball is such an entertaining, fast-paced sport, that it’s a shame Baylor hasn’t generated more success in it.

Oh, there have been a few highlights here and there, but the program has never been able to sustain it. In fact, only one Baylor volleyball coach had an overall winning record during her time in Waco — Margaret Woody, who was 22-20 in BU’s inaugural varsity season in 1978.

But I’m betting the following group of all-time BU volleyball standouts would be able to win a few matches:

Setter: Dana Chuha (1998-2001): Chuha delivered more tasty dishes than Restaurant Row during her time in Waco. “Chewie” twice led the nation in assists, and ranks as Baylor’s all-time leader in that category, with 4,955.

Setter: Cory Siverston (1991-94): A three-time all-Southwest Conference and three-time all-region star, Siverston registered more games (527), digs (1,575) and aces (195) than any other Baylor player in history. Her .338 career attacking percentage is also No. 1 on BU’s all-time list.

Middle blocker: Desiree Guilliard-Young (2003-06): An intimidating presence at the net, Guilliard-Young recorded 600 blocks (second only to Erin McElwain) and a school-record 1.45 blocks per game.

Middle blocker: Erin McElwain (1992-95): The program’s leader in both matches (148) and blocks (625), McElwain was also steady from the service line, tallying 113 aces.

Middle blocker: Jana Ranly (1985-88): Of Baylor’s players during the Southwest Conference days, Ranly was the only one to earn first-team all-conference recognition more than once. She finished her run with 534 blocks and 136 aces.

Middle blocker: Kia Young (1996-99): In her senior year of 1999, Young turned in one of Baylor’s best all-time seasons, earning all-Big 12 and all-region honors while helping the Bears reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.

Outside hitter: Stevie Nicholas (2000-03): Perhaps the most athletically-gifted player in school history, Stevie was a high-flying kill machine, finishing with 1,548 for her career. She had more 30-kill matches (seven) than any other Baylor player, and was the Big 12’s Freshman of the Year in 2000. Injuries her last couple of seasons probably prevented her from reaching her full potential.

Outside hitter: Elisha Polk (1996-99): Any list of BU’s best volleyball players should start with Polk, a two-time All-Big 12 and one-time all-region standout. James Bond wishes he had as many career kills as this lady. Polk is Baylor’s all-time leader in kills by a wide margin, hammering 2,272, a number that ranks sixth in NCAA history. Her 620 kills and 557 digs as a senior in ‘99 still stand as single-season records.

Outside hitter: Heather Williams (1989-92): A solid all-around contributor, Williams dots several of Baylor’s all-time stat lists. She’s third in kills with 1,506, third in aces with 168 and sixth in digs with 1,236.

Defensive specialist: Dana Atkinson (1997-2000): Atkinson could scoop it with the best of them, racking up 1,515 digs, No. 3 on BU’s all-time list. She also hummed in 114 service aces.

Coach: Brian Hosfeld (1996-2003): Though he finished with a career record under .500 (129-132), Hosfeld led Baylor to its greatest volleyball success. He won more matches than any other BU coach, and led the Bears to the only two NCAA tourney appearances in school history in 1999 and 2001. That ‘99 team notched a school-record 26 wins and defeated Texas for the first time ever. A well-respected recruiter who managed to pluck several talented players out of volleyball-fertile California, Hosfeld now is an assistant coach for the Longhorns.

Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Baylor's all-time teams

Comments

By desiree guilliard-young

January 2, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this

I would like to thank Brice Cherry for selecting me to be one of the 11 BU all time volleyball all-stars. It is truly an honor to be place in the same category with athletes that I admire and respect. SIC�EM BEARS

By Jeff

January 3, 2009 12:27 PM | Link to this

Nice list, but I don’t know how you put together a list of Baylor’s best Volleyball players without putting Tatianna Kenon on it. She was unbelievable and a great person too!!