WISE -- On Wednesday, October 5 the Clinch Valley College Women's Volleyball Team will open its season against traditional rival King College on King's home court in Bristol , Tennessee. CVC is fielding one of its most experienced volleyball teams as most of the members of the team are returning veterans from last year. This year the team will be playing a challenging schedule as they will tangle with teams from such larger schools as Emory and Henry, Radford, Milligan and Roanoke College.

For nearly a month the nine girls who make up the final volleyball squad have been involved in an extensive conditioning program. Combining weight lifting and running, this conditioning program places emphasis on leg strength and overall fitness. The team has been regularly utilizing the new professional gym for its weight training. Under the watchful eye of Coach Stephanie Pierce (wife of CVC Athletic Director and basketball coach, Bill Pierce) the team has emphasized team strategy, court positioning, and basic volleyball skills. 

New to CVC sports Ms. Pierce holds a B.S. in Health and Physical Education from V.P.I. and has high school coaching experience. The attractive 25 year old brunette has displayed an unusual enthusiasm that has proved to be contagious throughout the team. "We have a group of girls who want to see volleyball kept alive at CVC," says Coach Pierce, "all nine have shown determination and have given 100 percent. The team is looking forward to an exciting season. Every girl on the team will see a lot of playing time this season. There is no weak player on this entire team."

The volleyball roster shows a team made up of four seniors, three juniors, a sophomore, and a freshman. In an interview with the Highland Cavalier Coach Pierce rani down the team roster pointing out the qualities she feels make this group of girls an outstanding volleyball squad.

Geri Lynn Wallace, senior, 23 from Hurley, Virginia. Geri is one of the team's four setters one of the team's more capable servers. She was a starter last year for the team and has experience. Geri has strong leadership qualities and is s good all-round volleyball player.

Jill Adams, senior, 24, from Norton, Virginia. "Jill is one of the team's five spikers and one of the team's most experienced players. She has worked very hard on her game and I am pleased with the significant progress she has made. Jill is an avid volleyball player and is one of the team's more capable spikers." 

Jennifer Yates, Junior, 20, from Clintwood, Virginia. "Jenifer to also a spiker and a good one at that. Volleyball is her only sport and she demonstrates a natural talent for the game. She can be an imposing figure at the net. Jennifer will definitely be a team leader with her abilities on the court to spike, set and serve. She is a tremendous all around player.

Donna Carter, senior, 21, from Norton. Virginia. "Donna is one of the team's good overall players." While she is classified as a spiker, Donna is capable at setting the ball too. She has solid control over the ball whenever she comes in contact with it." 

Kathy Barnett, senior, 23,from Big Stone Gap. Virginia. "Barney's talent is both as a setter and especially as a server. So many points are won in a game on the strength of a strong serve. Kathy has a good touch for setting the ball along with her serve. 

Lennie Goldman, junior, 20, from Virginia Beach, Virginia. "Lennie Is another of the team's experienced setters. Along with her stable setting ability, Lennie adds a consistent underhand serve which gives the team variety from the serving line."

Maureen Meadows, junior, 22, from Garden, Virginia. "Maureen has been one of the team's pleasant surprises. She came to the team with little prior experience but has quickly caught on to the bade skills. Maureen, while classified as a spiker, has shown remarkable improvement in all facets of her game.

Delcina Wilkerson. freshman, 17, from Virginia Beach, Virginia,. "Delcina is quickly becoming' an excellent spiker. She is the only member of the squad to have prior high school experience. With time and the experience of the coming season Delcina will develop into a very capable volleyball player."

Linda Walker, sophomore, 19, from Reading, Pennsylvania. "Linda has one of the greatest attributes a volleyball player can have-she is always alert. She works hard at her game and has good control as a setter. Linda will see a lot of action this season."

Coach Pierce also expressed her appreciation for the assistance of the team's dedicated manager, Kathy Kennedy. Ms. Kennedy is a 20 year old junior from Orlando, Florida. "Kathy is an invaluable aid in coaching the team. She carefully helps with so many of the details leaving me free to work more intensely with the team."

The team plays eight matches against eleven teams with only three at home this year. Home matches include an October 14 double bout with King College and Emory and Henry College, an October' 26 match with Bluefield College, and a season finale with Milligan College on November 1.

(NOTE - This story was written in 1977 and reflects the style of writing and team names used at the time. It is presented here in it's historical context, unedited, for archival and educational purposes. The only changes made were to space out the sentences in a more modern layout.)