Women's Volleyball 9/1/2010 1:14:34 PM By Trey Reed/Sports Information Director

Flores-Stafford, Mustangs a perfect mix for 2010

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Expectations have definitely changed during Venera Flores-Stafford's tenure at the helm of the Midwestern State volleyball program.

The Mustangs have advanced to the Lone Star Conference Championship tournament in each of the last three seasons after tasting the postseason just once in the previous nine seasons. But after a 10-25 showing last season, the team has welcomed changes to make a push to the top.

"It's all about chemistry," Flores-Stafford said. "We had a hard time last year because we couldn't find a lineup to work. This year, the projected starting lineup has played from Day 2."

Flores-Stafford believes the addition of new assistant coaches Natalie Rawson and Lauren LaFlamme will be an advantage to the squad.

"Natalie and Lauren bring fresh sets of eyes and that will be good for the team," she said. "They have different perspectives and views and that will be very helpful."

Rawson arrives as the first assistant coach after serving as the interim head coach at Louisiana-Monroe, while LaFlamme is the second assistant coach on the heels of completing her playing career at the University of Tennessee.

The Mustangs will make the switch from the 6-2 back to the 5-1 attack with the addition of Taryn Westerman, a bigger setter who transferred from Seward County Community College.

"She is emotionally really good for us," Flores-Stafford said. "She makes us stay level, runs a solid offense and is a hard-nosed defender."

Sophomore Kimberly Jeffrey will push for more court time after averaging 4.80 set assists per game as a frosh last season, while frosh Zowie O'Neal will take a year to learn the ropes at the collegiate level after playing mainly as an outside hitter at Nocona (Texas) High School.

"Kim played a lot last year and will help Taryn's transition with her knowledge of her hitters," Flores-Stafford said. "Zowie is very coachable so this will be a great learning experience for her behind Kim and Taryn."

Shelbi Stewart and Hillary White anchor a developing group of outside hitters which also includes senior Emily Welborn and freshman Brandi Flores.

"Shelbi got a lot of playing time last season on the right side. She has a great swing and plays extremely hard," Flores-Stafford said. "Hillary (White) plays all the way around. She's not really flashy, but will get the job done."

Welborn transitions after playing the last two seasons on the MSU women's basketball squad while Flores enjoyed a stellar playing career at Johnson High School in San Antonio.

"Emily is our motivational spark plug and she reads the ball very well," Flores-Stafford said. "Brandi has played in the middle and outside at the club level. She has a good power swing and delivers a heavy ball."

Karolina Damjanovic has made great strides in now her fourth season at Midwestern to earn the starting position at opposite hitter.

"She's grown tremendously since she's been here," Flores-Stafford said. "Her level of confidence grew last year and she will be an improved offensive threat this season."

She will be pushed by talented freshman Claire Webster.

"Playing behind Kari will be a tremendous learning experience for her," Flores-Stafford said. "She has made strides with her court and body control and we expect big things from her."

Miranda Byrd, an All-Lone Star Conference honorable mention last season as outside hitter, will serve as the offensive-minded portion of the middle blocker duo with Lauren Bayer, who ranked 25th in NCAA Division II with 1.09 blocks per set in 2009.

"This will be a good transition for Byrd," Flores-Stafford said. "We've always had solid middles since she's been here so she played on the outside, but her energy is better used in the middle."

Bayer will begin her second season as a starter for the Mustangs after spending the previous two seasons at Texas-Brownsville and Hawaii-Hilo.

"She plays bigger than her size and reads very well," Flores-Stafford said. "She has a lot to prove, but I believe she will be up for the challenge."

Flores-Stafford believes freshman Caitlin Wallace, a member four state championship teams at Amarillo High, will push for time later in the season.

"Caitlin has done a great job of improving in the preseason," she said. "She is still catching up with the speed of the game, but is very coachable with room to grow."

The Mustangs back row is in the capable hands of three returners as sophomores Mallory Goon and Taylor Parker join Kiara Jordan, who was a second-team All-LSC pick last season.

"The experience KiKi (Jordan) had last season will go a long way," Flores-Stafford said. "Her energy alone picks everyone's play up."

Goon appeared in 25 matches as a frosh in 2009 averaging 1.76 digs per set and filled in for Jordan at libero for a stretch last season.

"She played sporadically last year, but that should give her confidence going forward," Flores-Stafford said. "She's very coachable and wants to do well."

Parker split time between setter and back row duties last season averaging 1.14 digs and 0.63 assists per set.

"Taylor is very energetic and adds to a solid trio on the back line," Flores-Stafford said.

Midwestern State opens the 2010 campaign with a pair of games against Chadron State (Neb.) and Northwest Missouri State Friday at the Nebraska-Omaha Invitational before closing the tournament against UNO and Emporia State on Saturday.

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Players Mentioned

#9 Lauren Bayer: MB; 5' 11"; Senior

#17 Miranda Byrd: OH; 6' 1"; Junior

#3 Karolina Damjanovic: OPP; 6' 1"; Senior

#12 Brandi Flores: MB/RS; 5' 11"; Freshman

#14 Mallory Goon: DS; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#20 Kimberly Jeffrey: S; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#1 Kiara Jordan: L; 5' 4"; Junior

#13 Zowie O'Neal: S; 5' 10"; Freshman

#11 Taylor Parker: DS; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#21 Shelbi Stewart: OH; 6' 0"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#9 Lauren Bayer
: 5' 11"; Senior
: MB

#17 Miranda Byrd
: 6' 1"; Junior
: OH

#3 Karolina Damjanovic
: 6' 1"; Senior
: OPP

#12 Brandi Flores
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: MB/RS

#14 Mallory Goon
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: DS

#20 Kimberly Jeffrey
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: S

#1 Kiara Jordan
: 5' 4"; Junior
: L

#13 Zowie O'Neal
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: S

#11 Taylor Parker
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: DS

#21 Shelbi Stewart
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: OH