Head coach Justin Hoskins begins his tenure with the Marshalltown Community College Volleyball program on Tuesday night as the Tigers tip off the 2016 season on the road at 7:00 PM at Iowa Central Community College.
MCC returns five sophomores to provide an experienced core group in Hoskins' first season at the helm. "Despite preseason being a quick, expedited process for us," Hoskins stated, "the team has managed to accomplish a lot in the two weeks that we've been here." Hoskins began his tenure on August 9.
Returning for the Tigers is Jordan Carter (Sigourney, IA/Sigourney), an All-Region XI First-Team selection in 2015. Carter carried MCC offensively, registering a team-best 269 kills. Sophomore Nicole Montgomery's (Beaman, IA/BCLUW) 190 kills ranked second behind Carter last season. Rieley Rodman (Ankeny, IA/Grand View Christian) enters 2016 as the team's primary Libero after leading the Tigers with 361 digs as a freshman.
Defensively, DaNesha Cowley (Waterloo, IA/Waterloo West) will begin her second year at MCC after leading the team with 42 blocks as a freshman. Paola Toledo (Boca Chica, Dominican Republic/San Rafael) carries over 118 kills and 22 blocks from last season.
"Our biggest expectation for our team," Hoskins continued, "is to go out there and compete every day and to play our best volleyball by the end of the year. Along with a strong group of sophomores, we have a group of freshman that will make a solid impact for us. Over the last two weeks they've been doing a good job adjusting to the college game."
The Tigers welcome Sara Bisbe (Barcelona, Spain/CB Saint Cugat), a 5-9 outside hitter, Nina Bales (Lacona, IA/Southeast Warren), a 5-6 setter, and Lucia Almagro (Las Gabias, Spain/Agustinos Recoletos), a 5-4 defensive specialist.
Hoskins pointed to team unity as a focal point for the season. "Throughout preseason we've had good chemistry between the returners and newcomers. It's important to have that chemistry all year long and be able to keep our composure."
While the sophomores bring in plenty of experience on the court, the returners have high expectations in the classroom as well. The team was named a NJCAA Academic Team of the Year for maintaining an overall GPA of at least 3.0 throughout the year. Both Cowley and Toledo earned Academic All-Region XI First-Team honors during their freshman campaign.
The Tigers will rely on the experienced sophomore class to propel the team to success, beginning with the team's season opener on Tuesday night.
Tuesday night's match will be streamed live, via Iowa Central Athletics: LIVE VIDEO
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