Volleyball Heads to Asheville For Big South Championship

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The Coastal Carolina University volleyball team closed out the regular season on an eight-match win streak to capture a share of the Big South regular season title with a 13-3 mark in the league. Liberty and High Point finished the season with the same record, sharing the title with the Chanticleers. Coastal Carolina was pushed to five sets in two of its final three matches, where it prevailed to earn a piece of the title. The Chanticleers are the No. 3 seed in the 2008 Big South Conference Championship, after Liberty received the top seed, followed by High Point. The Chants will face No. 6 Charleston Southern (16-17, 5-11 Big South) in their quarterfinal match Friday, Nov. 21 at 2:30 p.m. The 25 wins for the Chanticleers marks a season best under Head Coach Kristen Bauer and their second most victories in program history.

Big South Championship Quarterfinal vs. #6 Charleston Southern 2:30 p.m. 2008 Record: 16-17, 5-11 Big South Head Coach: Danyel Bellush Series Record: Coastal Carolina leads 34-32 Last Meeting: Coastal Carolina won 3-0 (Oct. 28, 2008)   Scouting the Lady Bucs: Charleston Southern ended the season with a 16-17 record and a 5-11 mark in the Big South... The 15 wins this year is the most the Lady Bucs have had in 15 years, since the 1993 season, when they were 22-11...  Finishing sixth in the Big South marks the highest finish for the Bucs since the 2002 season... Amanda Hill’s 493 kills this season set a new single season school record, bypassing Jennifer Monson’s 466 kills set in 2000... Series with Charleston Southern: Coastal Carolina won both matches this season against the Lady Bucs… Sophomore Chelsy Kimes paced the Chants with 27 kills, averaging 3.86 kills per match… Junior Meagan Tracey had 72 assists (10.29 aps) to guide the Chanticleers to victory… Coastal Carolina out-hit Charleston Southern .269 to .044 during the two-match series… The Chanticleers also posted 20 blocks, while CSU managed 10 blocks… Amanda Hill has 16 kills in the series for the Lady Bucs, while Emily Libertowski recorded 11 kills and 13 digs for CSU… Sam Sasan has 43 assists against the Chants…Chanticleer Notebook   Starbuck Gets Second Libero of the Week Honor Senior Brett Starbuck earner her second Libero of the Week honor Nov. 17. Starbuck came up with 71 digs and 5.46 digs per set to help the Chanticleers’ volleyball team to a 3-0 record on the week. She kicked off her week with 31 digs, four aces and one kill against Big South rival Winthrop on Nov. 11.  Three days later against Asheville, she came up with 17 digs, one kill and one ace. Starbuck celebrated Senior Day with 23 digs, three aces and one kill against Presbyterian on Nov. 15.   Crowned! With three victories in final week of the season, Coastal Carolina finished the year on an eight-match win streak with a 25-8 overall record. The 13-3 mark in the Big South earned the Chanticleers a share of the Big South regular season along with Liberty and High Point. It is the first regular season title in the Bauer Era. The last time the Chants won a regular season title was in 1998, when Coastal Carolina went 23-13 overall and 6-4 in the Big South.   The Final Eight Coastal Carolina won the final eight matches of the season. The Chanticleers went 24-7 in their final 31 sets. During the eight-match span, sophomore Chelsy Kimes had 133 kills, averaging 4.29 per set and senior Brett Starbuck had 168 digs, collecting 5.42 digs per set. Junior Jill Nyhof had 45 blocks, averaging 1.45 blocks per set. Junior Meagan Tracey conducted the offense picking up 10.32 assists per set, for a total of 320 assists.   Nyhof Hits 1,000 Junior Jill Nyhof hit her 1,000th career kill in the fifth set of Coastal Carolina’s win over Winthrop Tuesday, Nov. 11. Nyhof knocked down a kill in the deciding set to give the Chanticleers a 9-7 advantage, putting her in seventh place on Coastal Carolina’s All-Time kills list.   Coastal Carolina Career Kills 1. Katherine Jensen-Spencer (2003-05) - 1,568 2. Jeanne Lambert (1998-02) – 1,561 3. Katie Knutson (1999-02) – 1,449 4. Sarah Bennett (2000-03) – 1,303 5. Amy Bambenek (1994-97) – 1,228 6. Autumn Staab (1995-98) – 1,195 7. Jill Nyhof (2006-present) – 1,026    8. Laura Obert (2003-06) - 986   25 Wins is Season High for Bauer With the win against Gardner-Webb (Nov. 7), Coastal Carolina records its first 21+ win season under Head Coach Kristen Bauer. Under the guidance of Bauer, the Chants have had three 21-win seasons (2002-2004). The 2008 squad claimed a share of the Big South regular season title with a 13-3 mark in the league, tying Liberty and High Point for the title. The Chanticleers have passed the 21-win mark two times, in 1996 and 1998. During both seasons, Coastal Carolina captured the Big South title and made a trip to the NCAA tournament.   Starbuck Moves Up the Ladder Earning 17 digs in the match against UNC Asheville (Nov. 14), senior Brett Starbuck moved into second place on the Coastal Carolina all-time digs list. Starbuck has collected 1,568 digs in her career.   Coastal Carolina Career Digs 1. Jeanne Lambert (1998-02) - 1,919 2. Brett Starbuck (2005-present) - 1,568 3. Katie Knutson (2003-05) - 1,497   Only in the Big South Sophomore Chelsy Kimes leads the Big South in kills and service aces. With 268 kills in league play, Kimes is averaging 4.39 kills per set. She also has 28 aces, averaging 0.46 service aces per set. Junior Jill Nyhof is driving the league in blocks, with 77 on the season, averaging 1.26 per set.   ACE! Coastal Carolina has recorded 220 service aces to their opponents 145. The Chanticleers are averaging 1.83 aces per set, which ranks ninth in the NCAA. Sophomore Chelsy Kimes has served up a team-leading 52 aces, ranking her 31st in the country, while junior Megan Pollard has earned 38 service aces for the Chants.   The Great Wall of Nyhof In 33 matches, junior Jill Nyhof has totaled 37 solo blocks and 104 block assists. Nyhof leads the Big South in blocks with 141, averaging 1.18 blocks per set this season. She posted career-highs of nine block assists and a total of 11 blocks against Presbyterian (Nov. 15).   Shhhh…. Starbuck is on a Conference Call Since beginning Big South play, senior Brett Starbuck has switched gears and is registering impressive numbers at the libero position. Take a look at what Starbuck has done:   Match (Total)                 Digs(avg.)          Aces(avg.)         Assists(avg.) Non-Conference (17)       154 (2.66)          12 (0.21)           19 (0.33) Big South (16)               325 (5.33)          23 (0.38)           24 (0.39)   Kills the Thrill for Kimes Sophomore Chelsy Kimes has recorded 446 kills, averaging 3.84 and sits in second place in the Big South in kills per set. She has 25 double-digit kill matches, and 10 double-doubles.   Kimes’ Double-Double Matches: at Virginia Tech (Aug. 30) – 15 kills,16 digs vs. Troy (Sept. 13) – 17 kills,13 digs vs. Wofford (Sept. 20) – 11 kills, 10 digs vs. Winthrop (Oct. 7) – 15 kills, 11 digs at Presbyterian (Oct. 17) – 14 kills, 15 digs at UNC Asheville (Oct. 18) –  27 kills, 10 digs at Radford (Oct. 25) - 17 kills, 13 digs at Winthrop (Nov. 11) – 18 kills, 15 digs vs. UNC Asheville (Nov. 14) – 12 kills, 11 digs vs. Presbyterian (Nov. 15) – 16 kills, 11 digs   Bickford Boasting Solid Numbers Sophomore Megan Bickford has tallied 266 kills (2.29 kps) on 576 attempts for a .314 hitting percentage, earning her a second place spot in Big South Standings in hitting percentage. Bickford has tallied 23 solo blocks and 72 block assists in 32 matches. She posted a season-high three solo blocks against Virginia Tech (Aug. 30) and Lamar (Sept. 5).   Welcome Back to the 30 Dig Club! Senior Brett Starbuck recorded 30+ digs twice this season. Starbuck tallied 32 digs as Coastal Carolina defeated UNC Asheville in five sets (Oct. 17), before registering 31 digs at Winthrop to help the Chanticleers to a 3-2 victory. Starbuck has six 30+ dig matches in her career.   Five Sets Coastal Carolina is 5-0 in five set matches this season. The Chanticleers played two early five setters against Maryland-Eastern Shore (Aug. 30) and Lamar (Sept. 5). After winning the first two sets against UNC Asheville (Oct. 17), the Bulldogs produced a comeback sending the match to a deciding set. The Chanticleers prevailed defeating Asheville 15-10 in the final frame. Coastal Carolina then outlasted Winthrop 15-12 in the final set to pick up its first win at Winthrop since 2003. Four days later, Coastal Carolina earned a 15-10 win over Presbyterian on Senior Day Nov. 15 to keep their five set record perfect.   Nyhof Named to First Team Academic All-District Junior Jill Nyhof was named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III University First Team Thursday, Nov. 8, as announced by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). With this honor, Nyhof is now eligible for the national ballot for Academic All-America honors. Last year, Nyhof was selected to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III University Second Team. She joins former Chanticleer Jeanne Lambert as the only two players in Coastal Carolina volleyball history to be named to the First Team. After Lambert’s nomination in 2000, she went on to earn a spot on the Academic All-America First Team. As a political science major, Nyhof carries a 4.00 grade-point average and has played in every contest for the Chanticleers this season.   Kimes and Starbuck Pick Up Big South Weekly Awards Sophomore Chelsy Kimes was named the Big South Conference Choice Hotels Player of the Week for the second time this season, while senior Brett Starbuck picked up Libero of the Week honors Monday, Nov. 3. The two led the Chanticleers to a 2-0 week, sweeping past Charleston Southern (Oct. 28) 3-0 and defeating High Point (Nov. 1) 3-1. Kimes put away 36 kills, averaged 5.14 kills per set and hit .439, while Starbuck came up with 38 digs and averaged 5.43 digs per set in two matches.   Seahawk Connection The Chanticleers traveled to UNC Wilmington for their final non-conference match of the season and met up with a familiar face. Seahawk assistant coach Jeanne Lambert played at Coastal Carolina (1998-2002) under Head Coach Kristen Bauer. Lambert finished her career as the Chanticleers’ all-time leader in games played (464), digs (1,916) and total attacks (4,855). She was the Big South Conference Volleyball Student Athlete-of-the-Year, earned All-Conference honors twice (2000 and 2002) and was named Big South Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year in 2000.   Tracey Seeing Double Junior Meagan Tracey played on both sides of the court against Charleston Southern (Oct. 28) and High Point (Nov. 1), collecting her first double-doubles of the season. Against CSU, Tracey tallied 31 assists and 15 digs in the 3-0 sweep of the Lady Bucs. During the 3-1 victory over the Panthers, Tracey recorded 52 assists and 10 digs for the Chants.   Tracey for 50! Junior Meagan Tracey registered 52 assists to help the Chanticleers upset High Point 3-1, knocking the Panthers out of first place. Tracey reached 50+ assists eleven times last season, including two matches where she had over 60 assists.   Kimes Matches Career High Sophomore Chelsy Kimes posted a career-high 27 kills for the second time in five matches. Kimes first set a career high against UNC Asheville leading the Chants to a 3-2 victory. Saturday, Nov. 1, Kimes knocked down another 27 kills, using only four sets to defeat then league leader, High Point, 3-1.   Kimes Earns Big South Player of the Week Sophomore Chelsy Kimes put down 51 kills and averaged 4.25 kills per set to lead her Chanticleers to a 3-0 record on the week, including two Big South wins.  She notched two double-doubles and highlighted her week with a career-high 27 kills in Coastal Carolina’s 3-2 win over UNC Asheville on Oct. 18.  She also added to the Chanticleer offense from the service line as she served up seven aces in the three-match span. Defensively, Kimes came up with 38 digs and three blocks on the week for Coastal Carolina.  The honor marks her first Big South Player of the Week nod this season as the outside hitter currently ranks 11th in the country with 0.56 aces per set.   Russell Posts Career High Sophomore Amanda Russell registered 17 kills to lead Coastal Carolina past Presbyterian Oct. 17. Russell’s previous career high also came against Presbyterian (Oct. 26, 2007), where she collected 12 kills.    Chanticleers DIG PINK in October The Coastal Carolina University volleyball team will be participating in the DIG PINK National Breast Cancer Awareness Rally during the month of October. The Chanticleers mission is to increase awareness of breast cancer throughout the community and raise funds to help eradicate breast cancer. The Chants hosted their DIG PINK match Tuesday, Oct. 7, against the Winthrop Eagles where they wore pink warm-ups and pink socks for the match in conjunction with plenty of giveaways for the home crowd. This special DIG PINK event recognized Martha Davis, wife of Coastal Carolina women’s tennis Head Coach Jody Davis. Mrs. Davis is a six-year survivor of breast cancer, and a beloved member of the Chanticleer family.  All proceeds generated through the month of October were donated to The Side-Out Foundation (www.side-out.org) and a local breast cancer organization in the Myrtle Beach/Conway area. For more information, visit www.GoCCUsports.com.   Chanticleers Peak During Streak Coastal Carolina out-hit its opponents .313 to .075 during its six-match win streak. During the winning stretch, sophomores Chelsy Kimes and Amanda Russell tallied 48 and 44 kills, respectively. The Chants also posted 58 service aces to their opponents 18.   Sommmmebody Stop Her!!! Sophomore Chelsy Kimes registered a career high nine service aces against Radford Sept. 26. Kimes tallied five aces in the second set of the match.    Stingy Defense Dominates S.C. State Spikefest The Chanticleers held their opponents at the S.C. State Spikefest to 16.3 points per set, dropping only one set in four matches. With its four wins at the Spikefest, Coastal Carolina went on a six-match win streak, its longest stretch this season.   Nyhof Earns South Carolina State All-Tournament Selection Junior Jill Nyhof was named to the South Carolina State Spikefest All-Tournament Team after leading the Chanticleers to four wins at the tournament. Nyhof had eight kills on a .700 hitting percentage against N.C. Central.     Wolf Attack! Senior Kristin Wolf was named to the Courtyard by Marriott Chanticleer Invitational All-Tournament team. Wolf was efficient on the attack, recording 23 kills, and hitting .395 in the three-match span. Wolf tallied 10 kills in the Chanticleers 3-0 win over Chattanooga.   Mauck Racks up Honors Freshman Kelsie Mauck was selected to the Courtyard by Marriott Chanticleer Invitational All-Tournament team and Big South New Balance Freshman of the Week (Sept. 15). Mauck recorded 100 assists and 10 assists per set to help the Chanticleers to a 2-1 record over the weekend. She started her weekend with 35 assists, eight digs, two blocks and two kills in Coastal Carolina’s 3-0 over Georgia State on Sept. 12. The next day against Troy, Mauck dished out 40 assists and came away with four blocks, four digs and three kills.  She closed the weekend out with 25 assists, two kills, two digs and two blocks as the Chants defeated Chattanooga, 3-0.   Kimbel Sweet Kimbel Coastal Carolina knows how to defend its home court. Since 1987, the Chanticleers are 178-98 in home matches. The Chants opened the 2008 home schedule with two wins defeating Georgia State and Chattanooga and dropped a match to Troy.   Hit the Road Coastal Carolina began the 2008 season with eight road matches. The Chanticleers played three matches at the Hawthorn Suites Hokie Invitational in Blacksburg, Va., and five matches at the Wichita State Best Western Shocker Classic in Wichita, Kan.   Best Western Shocker Classic All-Tournament Nod for Bickford Sophomore Megan Bickford was instrumental in Coastal Carolina’s victories over Lamar and Idaho State at the Best Western Shocker Classic. Against Lamar, Bickford registered 14 kills to hit .684, making only one error in the five-set match. When the Chants faced Idaho State, she was on point again hitting .714 and tallying 11 kills. Bickford also tallied seven blocks in a 3-1 loss to Cal State Bakersfield.   Excuse Me, Have We Met Before? In the 2008 non-conference schedule, Coastal Carolina faced eight opponents for the first time in school history. The Chanticleers went 5-3 in the first shot at their new foes.   Bauer a Buckeye Head coach Kristen Bauer was a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes volleyball team, where she helped Ohio State capture the 1990 Big Ten Conference Championship. Bauer and the Chanticleers dropped a 3-0 decision to her alma mater Sept. 4 in the teams first meeting in school history.   Five and Three The Chanticleers played five games in three days at the Wichita State Best Western Shocker Classic, a first in the Bauer Era. The Chants finished the tournament 2-3, rallying to a five-set victory over Lamar and sweeping Idaho State 3-0. The last time this occurred was September 8-10, 1995, when Coastal Carolina hosted the Coastal Beach Classic under previous head coach Tammi McCaudy-Lee. The Chants went 1-4 at the tournament, picking up their only win in a 3-0 decision over Chattanooga.   Hawthorn Suites Hokie Invitational Honors Sophomore Chelsy Kimes and junior Jill Nyhof were named to the Hawthorn Suites Hokie Invitational All-Tournament Team. Kimes hit a team-leading 45 kills, while Nyhof added 23 kills in three matches.   A Fresh Start Freshmen Erika Lightsey and Kelsie Mauck saw their first action Aug. 29 helping the Chanticleers to a 3-0 win over Winston Salem State. Lightsey registered two kills and Mauck tallied nine assists in the debut. Simone Autry entered her first match as a Chanticleer against South Carolina