2012 Volleyball Preview-First of four editions: Setters

Editors Note: This is the first of four stories to come which will highlight the UCCS woman's volleyball teams primary positions, returning players, and new additions to the team.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs Mountain Lions have posted a winning season each of the past three years, while making the RMACpostseason tournament in 2009 and 2010. Entering his fourth season as head coach, Keith Barnett has expectations for his team to make it back to the tournament in 2012.

The preseason coaches poll has UCCS projected to finish seventh in the RMAC. Barnett disagrees saying that "we're better than that...a top four would be nice."

Barnett returns just two starters from last years team. Optimistic about his teams chances this season, saying "we've replaced the skills, but I don't think we've replaced the continuity, the knowledge or the experience."

One of the most difficult positions for Barnett to replace is setter, previously played by Cindy Bathelt, who ranks sixth all time for assists in school history. Of the replacement, Barnett states, "She's a tough one...she did a lot for us, so we have to make up for it in other areas. We either have to serve better or defend better, or do something to make up for losing her, but we have two very astute setters."

One of those very astute setters is Lindsey Stich, who enters her fourth season on the team. So, while Bathelt's production will be hard to replicate, the Mountain Lions do have the benefit of replacing Bathelt, who ranks sixth all-time in assists, with an experienced player in Stich, who ranks 10th all-time in school history. The team also adds Grace Gordon from, Grandview High School, "who's also very athletic and talented," says Barnett.

Gordan graduated from Grandview High School in Aurora, Colo., this spring and led the Wolves to the 5A State Tournament three times as the starting setter. She was named to the Denver Post All-State team in 2009, the All-City team three times, the MaxPreps All-State Second Team in 2011 and was the starting setter for the 2011 All-State Games. Gordan was a two-time team captain and finished with more than 2,600 assists in her career. She also competed with the Colorado Volleyball Academy during the club season.