With practice starting August 10, the 2011 season for the Paladin volleyball team is already off with a bang. Finishing the 2010 season with an overall record of 17-12 and a Southern Conference record of 11-5, the Paladins are looking forward to a similarly successful 2011-2012 season.

Head coach Michelle Young, a Clemson graduate who began leading the team in 1999, has been the most accomplished volleyball coach in the team’s history, boasting a career record of 205-141.

She is joined this year by a new assistant coach, Courtney Stewardson, who graduated from Furman in 2008 with a degree in health and exercise science and was a setter for the team. Stewardson’s total of 4,540 assists rank her third among Furman career leaders.

Since graduating from Furman, Stewardsonhas been an assistant coach at Delaware and Radford while pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership from Delaware. Radford’s record under her leadership was 11-21 with an undefeated spring season, while she helped Delaware earn a spot in the NCAA tournament. Coach Young is looking forward to having the two-time All-Southern Conference player back with the team.

Caroline Atkinson, outside hitter, of Winter Park, FL, and Katie Harrell, defensive specialist, of Fountain Inn, SC, both freshmen, will be making their debut this season as newcomers to the team. Eleven team members are returning this year to form a team of thirteen players total. Returning leaders include Alexis Shaffer, Natalie Braun, and Caroline Adams.

“I have been really happy with the effort level of the team. If they can maintain that level throughout two-a-days I will be very happy,” says Coach Young, who admits that their schedule this year is going to be tough.

The team’s first match for the 2011 season will take place on August 26 at Duke University at 7:00p.m. The first home match for the Paladins is October 1 at 2:00 p.m. in the Alley Gym. The Southern Conference Tournament will be held in Birmingham, AL, November 18-20.