Warrior volleyball rife with potential in 2012

The Van Buren volleyball team comes loaded with potential in 2012.

Few people are more aware of that fact than new head coach Matt Zeitler, who coaches many of the same girls in winter basketball season. He takes over the struggling volleyball program ? they finished 7-19 in 2011 ? in the hopes of tapping into their potential.

?I hope, with a different direction, that they pick it up and get out what they need to get out of themselves,? said Zeitler, who replaces three-year coach Bonnie Watson as head coach. ?I think they?ll play for me. They?ve been around me enough they know what I want them to do.?

Under Zeitler, the Warriors will be going with a new look in 2012, though many of the faces are still the same. Hanna Haynes and Payten Hughes led Van Buren in multiple areas last fall and return as the undisputed leaders.

The 6-foot-3 Haynes will again be looking to do damage from the net after coming through with a team-high 87 kills and 62 blocks last fall, and Hughes? excellent serve earned her 39 aces.

But it?s Nicole Coffin, a transfer student from Mount Pleasant, who has left Zeitler most impressed. Coffin will be most effective from the back row but has the versatility to help out at any number of positions.

?She?s a good passer, but I know one thing: she can pass, receive and spike,? said Zeitler. ?She?s a good all-around player.?

Coffin missed the first tournament of the season but should provide a major impact when she makes her debut.

Other upperclassmen who should receive playing time are Alicia Fitzsimmons, Lydia Heald, Tayt Waibel, Marissa Greenfield, Patricia Townsend, Meredith Miller, Jordan Billups and Sarah Wells.

Freshmen Libbey King and Katie Wilson, sophomores Shayla Filson, Courtney Hervey and Jenna Thornberg will all get playing time as underclassman.

?In a week of practice they?ve vastly improved. If they put it all together they?ll be tough. They really will be,? Zeitler said.

The head coach?s goals for this season are modest, but it?s one step at a time for the team.

?I want us to be above .500,? he said. ?I don?t think we?ve ever been above .500 as long as I can remember.?

The Warriors opened the season Monday at the WACO Quad with a pair of losses but look to bounce back in Week 2 with their home opener Tuesday against New London.