Aug. 17, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Probably the one position that brings about the most experience for the 2017 Auburn volleyball team is at outside hitter. The crew is made up of a group of athletes capable of making big plays for the Tigers.
Senior Courtney Crable and junior Brenna McIlroy are set to lead the charge with sophomore Enija Bidzane bringing a powerful attack to the court as well. The trio was the squad's primary targets on the outside in 2016 and are coming back this season following a full spring and summer of work in the training room.
"We have a lot of experience returning on the outside and I was really impressed with the work this group and our athletic trainer, Marie Siler, put in during the spring and summer to get healthy," head coach Rick Nold said. "We need them available to have the type of season we expect."
McIlroy, a 5-11 junior from Garland, Texas, has been the team's top attacker on the outside over her first two seasons. She led the Tigers in kills in 2016 (351) despite sitting out two matches and has had a major role defensively, being among the top on the squad in digs as well.
"Brenna has been an exciting player for us her whole career," Nold said. "She has an extremely fast arm that helps her beat most blocks and has also really improved her backrow play and serving. She has been the pulse of the team and her energy will be important to us this year."
Crable's experience will be key for the youthful squad this season as the Louisville product has played in over 300 matches for the Tigers over her career. Standing at 6-1, Crable is less than 200 kills away from 1,000 in her time here at Auburn and with a powerful swing, she'll be relied upon in big situations.
"Courtney has been in a vital role her whole career here and she is one of the best system hitters I've ever coached," Nold said. "She has been in a lot of big match situations and her experience will be important to us."
Bidzane enters her second season with the Tigers following knee surgery in the spring. The 5-9 student-athlete from Latvia had a successful first season for Auburn, bringing passion and power to the court.
"Enija brings the widest variety of shots in the group," Nold said. "She can score in a variety of ways and has a knack for blocking."
In addition to the three, senior Macy Reece also has experience on the outside as she played the position her first two years with Auburn before seeing the court last year at middle. Her ability to excel in both roles is an added bonus to the already experienced group of outsides.
"We also have Macy who has a lot of experience in the position," Nold said. "Macy and some of our middles could jump out there as well to give us more athleticism and blocking if that's needed."
Fans can get a first glimpse of the team Saturday, Aug. 19, as Auburn hosts UAB in an exhibition match. The Tigers and the Blazers face off at 1:30 p.m. CT in Auburn Arena and admission is free.
The Tigers open the 2017 season in Atlanta, traveling to Georgia Tech's Hyatt Regency Invitational, Aug. 25-26. Auburn opens with a match vs. the Yellow Jackets Friday and follows with tilts against No. 17 Michigan State and Furman Saturday.
Stay tuned as AuburnTigers.com will take a look at the setters Friday, Aug. 18!