Date: 8/17
Position: Defensive Specialists

Returning Letterwinners (Key stats): Arissa Chappell (29 asst., 20 service aces, 202 digs, 2.02 dps, 1 kill); Katelyn Lochner (28 kills, 2 service aces, 12 digs, nine total blocks); Ashlyn Roberts (413 asst., 4.49 aps, 21 service aces, 139 digs, 1.51 dps, 28 kills)

Letterwinners lost (Key stats): Abby Baker (90 asst., 13 service aces, 402 digs, 4.28 dps, 4 kills)

Newcomers (Yr., Previous school):  Veronica Dollar (Fr., Trinity [Texas] HS)

Miscellaneous Notes
- Baker closed her career as the program's all-time leader in digs per set (3.88), and matched the program's single-season record for digs per set (4.28) her final two years at South Alabama.
- Baker ranked seventh in the Sun Belt Conference in digs per set (4.28) in 2017. In Sun Belt matches, she ranked eighth in digs per set (4.39).
- South Alabama ranked second in the Sun Belt in opponent hitting percentage (.164) last year, and finished ninth in digs per set (14.54).
- Lochner moved from outside hitter to defensive specialist this season.
- The Jaguars recorded a season-high 96 digs against Louisiana on Nov. 3 last season, led by Baker who finished with 40.

Head Coach Amy Hendrichovsky
- On the returning experience:
"This position in our gym is probably the most competitive right now along with our outsides. We have three returners with Arissa (Chappell) and Ashlyn (Roberts) having significant playing experience, and Katelyn (Lochner) is a true utility athlete in our gym that I felt could help us if she focused on playing Libero/Defensive Specialist for her senior season. Then you add Veronica (Dollar) to the mix, and we will be very deep in this position this season."

- On improvements from last year or positives she wants to see carry over from last season:
"This group knows there are high expectations for them this season, and mainly because we know they can handle it for their team. We have the skill and understanding of how to keep our team in system and allow our setters to run our offense. If they can set a standard of improving each week in their first contact and maintain a growth mindset, they will be a reliable group through the entire season."

- On the Libero:
"All three returners have had the opportunity to play in the Libero position. This year we have an exhibition and it will allow us to see who is able to serve, receive, and defend consistently, who is able to be tough in pressure situations, as well as what our team needs chemistry-wise. All three will see the court early in some capacity." 

Junior – Ashlyn Roberts
- On position change for this season:
"Being a setter, I was kind of like the quarterback on the court for those rotations that I was in. I would say it was more of a leadership role, but now that I have switched I have realized that being a defensive specialist/Libero is kind of the same role in leadership because I am controlling first contact now; I basically set the tone for what our play is about to look like. I don't really think there is a huge difference, other than what I'm actually doing on the court. I love it so far."

- On the spring season:
"I was nervous in our first tournament, but the coaches did an awesome job. They were really flexible with me since I was new to the position. I feel like I did a really good job of focusing on the process rather than the result, so I was able to catch on to the technique and everything pretty quickly – I was proud of myself. I think they (coaches) did a really good job of helping me transition in that short amount of time in the spring."

- On this year's team:
"We had such a great season last year, and we have that underneath our belt this season and realize what we can do. Now we have four great people added to our roster; we lost three seniors from last year who played a huge role. But we worked really hard this summer, and we have continued to work in preseason practice. We can see our goal – it's in sight. We have that in the back of our mind every day we come into the gym, and with our passion and work ethic I think it will pay off in the end."

- On the team's goals:
"Win the conference championship. We want to go all the way, and then be competitive in the NCAA Tournament."

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