Strangely, UAH and UNA, though picked to finish 1-2 in the East only had one representative on the All-GSC team. West Alabama, Christian Brothers, Harding and Southern Arkansas also have one player on the team.

Four players were unanimous selections to the Pre-Season All-GSC East Team led by Lady Charger middle hitter and reigning GSC Player of the Year, Ellen LaFiore. LaFiore could become the 11th player in GSC history to be named First Team All-GSC in three consecutive seasons. She led the UAH attack last season with 622 kills, 47 service aces and 271 digs. She also had 86 blocks.

Two coaches are within striking distance of 200 victories. UAH's Laura Taube (188) is 12 wins away, while North Alabama coach Matt Peck (177) needs 23. Last year, Henderson State’s Rhonda Thigpen (201) became only the third coach in GSC history to reach the milestone.

Once again, the Charger volleyball team enters a season hoping to stamp a ticket to the postseason. With the Gulf South Tournament being hosting by the East in 2000, Coach Laura Taube and the Chargers have plans to host the tournament at home. As usual, the obstacle that stands between UAH and a volleyball party at Spragins Hall is wearing purple. Defending GSC champion North Alabama would prefer inviting everyone to Florence for the GSC tournament.

The Chargers have six very solid returning players for the 2000 season. Leading the group is GSC and South Central Region standout Ellen LaFiore. The junior middle hitter will be expected to again spearhead the Charger offensive attack. That burden will be even heavier with the off-season losses of Samantha Marlin and Ragan McLain. Last season, Ellen paced the Chargers with 622 kills. Her 5.23 kill average set a new UAH record. She also set the school record for highest attack percentage at .419. Coach Taube expects Ellen to be even better than she has been during the last two seasons.

Also returning are junior middle hitter, Lindsay Dunham. After two years in the weight room and a starting spot last season, Coach Taube believes Lindsay will give other teams a headache this year. In 1999, Lindsay came into her own as a compliment to LaFiore and Marlin. She finished the season with 202 kills and as solid on defense with 63 blocks (32 solo).

In addition to Lindsay and Ellen are sophomore outside hitters Whitney Mock and Cathryn Sterling. Both will compete for a starting position with the new recruits. Coach Taube feels that this position will be crucial for the Chargers to be successful. Whitney spent most of the ‘99 season observing and learning. She got into some action down the stretch and showed some promise. Meanwhile, Cathryn was a regular. After sitting out a redshirt season, Cathryn was a major contributor last season. On defense, she helped senior specialist Tiffanie Williams shut the door on the back row. She piled up 302 digs during the year.

Blocking and hitting on the right side once again for us with be junior lefty Erin Denny. She is an outstanding blocker and like Lindsay has gained strength by being committed to the weightroom. Last season, she racked up 186 kills, nearly three times her output during her freshman season. She also had 50 blocks (17 solo).

Perhaps the most important transition will come at setter. Junior Jane Baumgartner will shoulder the responsibility of running the Charger offense this season. Jane replaces Lisa Spencer who has made a name for herself in the UAH record books over the last four years. Jane has a great knowledge of the game and is also a very offensive minded setter. Coach Taube says that Jane has a great set of hands and has the potential to be an excellent floor general. In addition, she is a good blocker and quality attacker. For the Chargers to continue being successful, Jane will have to develop into a great leader in running the offense.

“This season will be interesting and exciting at the same time,” said Taube, who enters the season 12 wins away from 200. “We lost five very good players but at the same time signed five good players. It will be exciting to see how the new and returning players work together and learn to develop that chemistry that we must have to be successful.”

Coach Taube also feels that the 2000 schedule will be a stiff challenge. “We will be playing the toughest schedule in the seven years that I have been the head coach. With the addition of West Florida and MUW on our side of the conference makes the East even tougher to compete in,” she said. “We will play at Central Missouri and Emporia this season. I expect that we will continue to compete at the regional level and work for a spot in that tournament. We are going into our season strong and ready to compete.”