MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (August 13, 2021) – The St. Thomas University (STU) Volleyball team is set to kick off the 2021 campaign tomorrow, Saturday, August 14^th at the Palm Beach County Sports Commission Volleyball Classic hosted by Keiser University in West Palm Beach, Fla. Head Coach, Whitney Battoe, will be heading into her second season at the helm for the Bobcats.
 
2020 Recap
The Battoe-Era made big strides in year one as the former Bobcat turned the program around and brought it back to its winning ways.

• For the first time since 2017 the team had a winning season (10-7, 9-7 SUN).
• Made it back to the Sun Conference semifinals.
• Placed four members on the All-Sun Conference First Team

Key Returners
Kyleigh Beecham (Junior, Setter) – Beecham is set to continue what has already been a great career in a Bobcat jersey. In 2020, Beecham was recognized as a member on the All-Sun Conference First-Team, led the conference in assists/set (9.0), ranked third in the conference for assists (555), was recognized as the NAIA National Setter of the Week (9/29), and was a two-time Sun Conference Setter of the Week (9/7, 9/28).
 
Arianna Bolinger (Senior, Outside Hitter) – Bolinger, the four-year captain, is ready for her senior campaign. The three-time All-Sun Conference member had a bounce back season in 2020 that landed her back on the All-Sun Conference First-Team. Bolinger ranked 15^th in the NAIA and third in the conference for kills/set (4.1), while also leading the team in kills (242). Arianna also was recognized as the SUN Attacker of the Week (9/7, 9/28).
 
Tyran Chenault (Graduate Student, Middle Blocker) – Chenault comes back to STU for another year as a graduate student. The defensive strength of the Bobcats led the team in blocks in back-to-back seasons breaking a single season record in 2019 (116) and leading the team with 57 in 2020 which ranked fifth in the conference. Chenault was also named to the All-Sun Conference First-Team.
 
2021 Expectations Interview
In year-two of the Battoe-Era we caught up with Head Coach to see what we can expect from the Bobcats in 2021.
 
Q1: What are your expectations for the 2021 season?
A1: We want to continue with the progress of the culture that put in place last year. Our non-conference schedule is set up to see how we matchup and compete with some of the best teams in the country.
 
Q2: What is the emphasis on starting the season with such a tough schedule?
A2: We are going to lineup against some of the best teams in the country to set the standard of where we need to be to compete at a national level. It is going to be a great measure of where we are as a team and what we will need to learn to be better at. It will really be a mental toughness challenge to open up the season, but it is set to prepare us to go into conference play.
 
Q3: What will be the biggest improvement and change this season?
A3: The team is really buying into and understanding the expectations that have been set with the 'Gold Standard'. The upperclassman leadership will be instrumental in the success on the court, the team has really learned what it means to be wearing a STU Volleyball jersey and what the program represents in the conference and how we are trying to continue to grow and elevate to a national presence. The player leadership has grown and brought back the championship culture.
 
Key Incoming Players
Sana Dennis (Freshmen, Middle Blocker) – Dennis was named to the Sun Conference Volleyball Players to Watch List. The incoming freshmen is set to make an immediate impact on the team and solidifying it's front line. Coach Battoe compliments her technical skills to the game and excited to see the growth that Dennis will have in the upcoming years.
 
Bianca Grassi (Freshmen, Libero/Defensive Specialist) – Grassi, another incoming freshman, will boost the Bobcats defense. The coaching staff is excited to see Bianca bring some international flare of the game and use her maturity as strong assets.
 
St. Thomas will play Loyola University (La.) in the 8 a.m. match and then take on no. 22 Madonna University (Mich.) at 12 p.m. from the Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center on the campus of Keiser University.
 
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