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'Roo Volleyball Set to Open 2021 Campaign

Photo by Charlie Lengal III
Photo by Charlie Lengal III
Posted: Aug 31, 2021

SHERMAN, Texas - After advancing to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference semifinal round in the 2021 spring season, the Austin College volleyball is ready to open up the new year after being picked to finish third in the conference by the league's coaches.

Head coach Ed Garza brings back a strong mix of young talent and experienced leadership after his 'Roos went 9-7 overall this past spring, led by seniors Brooklyn Talley, Ali Horton, and Mari Prazak. Horton and Prazak each earned All-Conference accolades last year, while Talley enters the season on the precipice of reaching both 2,000 assists and 1,000 digs in her four years with the 'Roos. Prazak, meanwhile, enters the year with a chance to sail past 2,000 digs for the 'Roos, as she opens the year with 1,627 in her three seasons.

Horton finished her first year in the program averaging 5.28 assists and 2.22 digs-per-set, and also had a team-best 17 service aces. Prazak was among the conference leaders in both digs and digs-per-set, averaging 5.14 per-set. Talley added 3.71 assists and 2.22 digs-per-set for the 'Roos.

Victoria Smith made an instant impact in her first year in the program, joining Horton and Prazak as an All-SCAC recipient after averaging 2.19 kills and totaling 37 blocks, and fellow sophomores Riley Abernethy, Olivia Linton, and Spencer Wynne will also be looking to build on strong seasons to open their careers in the upcoming year. Abernethy did a little bit of everything for the 'Roos last season, averaging 1.84 kills and 3.07 digs-per-set, while also adding 22 total blocks and 16 service aces in 16 matches. Linton, meanwhile, led the 'Roos with 2.28 kills-per-set during the spring, and Wynne was second on the team with 41 total blocks, good for 0.72 per-set.

Garza and the 'Roos will also be welcoming in a large group of newcomers, with 11 freshmen entering the mix this season. In all, the 'Roos feature just four players outside of the freshmen and sophomore classes this year, with junior Augustine Neininger joining Horton, Talley, and Prazak.

Austin College opens up the season on Wednesday when they host a tri-match with Paul Quinn College and Dallas Christian College. The 'Roos will take to the Hughey Gym court at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. for those two matches.