Carrie Bodkins, head volleyball coach at Alderson-Broaddus College has announced her recruiting class for 2008. The group includes six talented individuals from both in and out of the Mountain State.

2007 Season Wrap-Up

After the loss of four seniors, the Alderson-Broaddus volleyball team seemed to be headed for a rebuilding year in 2007.

However, Coach Carrie Bodkins, in her third year at her alma mater, would bring in eleven talented freshmen to compliment her returning cast of two juniors and four sophomores. In addition, Bodkins would seek the assistance of former player and Davis and Elkins grad, Abby Stoner, to help guide her team of “Bombastic Battlers”.

The Battlers opened the season in New York and Tennessee before tackling a tough WVIAC schedule. The Battlers picked up key victories over Fairmont State, Glenville State, and the Pitt-Johnstown en route to a 12-7 conference record and a fifth seed in the WVIAC tournament. In the first round, the Battlers defeated the twelfth-seeded Shepherd Rams, 3-1. Bodkins’ squad would then face West Virginia State University, the team that had eliminated the Battlers from the tourney in 2006 before capturing the conference crown. Although defeated in three straight sets, A-B displayed an energy and mindset that Bodkins expects her squad to carry over into the 2008 season.

Following the season, the Battlers were honored with three all-conference selections. Middle hitter Sarah Neikirk was a second-team selection as well as a member of the WVIAC All-Tournament team. Fellow junior Jamilyn DeCorte made the Honorable Mention squad, while outside hitter Amanda Check made the All-Freshman team.

A-B will look to play a key role in the race for the 2008 championship as all three conference honorees return to the Battlers next year. The Battlers also return eight other underclassmen who saw ample playing time in 2007, including junior outside Danielle Schleiden, junior defensive specialist Samantha Grosklos, and sophomore setter Samantha Wisbon.

A-B Battlers Fall in WVIAC Tournament

So much for an unfamiliar opponent. After defeating Shepherd University on November 3, the Alderson-Broaddus volleyball team drew the Rams in the first round of the WVIAC tournament, which kicked off on November 8.

Battlers Down D&E (10/23) and Fairmont St. (10/27)

The Alderson-Broaddus Volleyball Team has certainly picked up its game in the past couple weeks, increasing its chances of making a solid run in the conference tournament. Several key home contests have played a role in that, including two last week.

A-B Downs West Liberty (10/16); Lady Battlers Down Glenville (10/17)

Rebounding is a theme resounding through the Rex Pyles Arena on the campus of Alderson-Broaddus College. Not only is basketball practice in full swing, but the Battler Volleyball Team is hoping to rebound in the final few weeks of the season as it hopes to gain momentum heading into the WVIAC Tournament, which begins on November 8.

A-B vs. WV Wesleyan (10/8); A-B @ Wheeling Jesuit (10/10) Results

Once again, the Alderson-Broaddus Volleyball Team faced three tough WVIAC opponents last week in hopes of boosting their conference record. The Lady Battlers faced West Virginia Wesleyan, Wheeling Jesuit, and Seton Hill, all schools ranked higher or tied with AB, in a span of five days.

Lady Battlers Down WVSU (10/1); Sweep SIU (10/3); Fall in PSAC Tourney (10/5-6)

With the start of October, the Battler Volleyball Team entered a crucial two week period of the 2007 season. As the conference tournament quickly approaches, teams continue to battle for seeding, including the Battlers who were ranked fourth at the start of the month.

WV Wesleyan (9/26) and Concord University (9/29) Results

Along with the end of September comes the midway point of the 2007 volleyball season. With a 4-1 conference record, the Alderson-Broaddus Battlers hoped to grab two more conference wins and hold on to the third place spot in the WVIAC.

OVU (9/19/07) and Bluefield State (9/22/07) Results

After rebounding from their first conference loss with a 2-0 week, the Alderson-Broaddus Volleyball Team hoped to extend its win streak to four with contests against Ohio Valley University and Bluefield State College.

On September 19, the Battlers hosted the Fighting Scots of OVU.

Early Season Results

Following three long weeks of preseason practice, the 2007 edition of the Alderson Broaddus Volleyball Team was eager to find new opponents across the net as it headed to two early season tournaments. Coach Carrie Bodkins, in her third year at the helm, hoped her young squad, consisting of eleven freshmen, four sophomores, and two juniors, would be able to pick up where it left off in 2006 after reaching the semifinals of the WVIAC Tournament.