A senior starter headlines every position for the Hood College volleyball team as the Blazers enter their inaugural season in the Capital Athletic Conference. The nucleus of setter Caroline Woodhams, outside hitter Lindsey Nagy, libero Jamie Bussey and middle hitter Ashley Bryan represent fifth-year head coach Judy McGraw’s first-ever recruiting class. Hood’s mentor is confident that with these four providing the foundation for the rest of her young squad, the Blazers will be a competitive force in the highly competitive CAC.

“They mean a lot to me personally and to our program,” McGraw said of her senior class. “They are indeed a special group of young women who have been here during our lowest and our highest points. We've all grown together. I expect them to lead our underclassmen as proud representatives of Hood College and Blazer volleyball. They have a lot to prove this year, especially since we've entered the CAC. Fortunately we've been playing CAC teams for years and now that we're a part of the conference, I think the players want to make a statement. No matter what happens this season, I couldn't be more proud of each of them and I'm so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with them.”

Woodhams has been Hood’s starting setter for the past three years and currently lists second all-time in career assists with 1,278. She also contributed 66 kills, 37 aces and 129 digs last fall. Sophomore Leah Garland also returns after a solid rookie season. In 64 games, Garland tallied 93 assists, 35 kills and 134 digs. Freshman setter Mary Krietz comes to Hood from nearby Catoctin High School and will serve as a capable backup, along with Kristina Straub from Burtonsville, Md., who may also split time at outside hitter.

Nagy, a three-time all-conference selection in the Atlantic Women’s Colleges Conference, also ranks among Hood’s career statistical leaders in numerous categories. The native of Torrance, Calif., is sixth all-time in kills (576), seventh in digs (528), seventh in aces (164) and ninth in games played (243). Another veteran returning to the outside hitter spot is junior Jamie Gardner, who saw action in 61 games last season due to nagging injuries. In spite of that hindrance, Gardner still racked up 137 digs, third-most on the squad. McGraw also welcomes newcomers Chelsea Weaver and Katie Worthington, who will provide depth at the outside hitter position.

At middle hitter, Bryan is coming off an outstanding junior campaign which earned her honorable mention all-conference accolades. She tallied 128 kills and led the Blazers with 46 total blocks. The native of Fountain Valley, Calif., comes into 2007 ranked third all-time career rejections (113). Freshman Kristan Hawkins and Krista Zerby both hail from successful prep programs and will solidify Hood’s front row. Bussey is the unquestioned leader of the Blazer defense and has shown steady improvement throughout her Hood career. She led the team in digs with 294 in 2006 and lists fifth all-time in that category (619). She also earned honorable mention all-conference plaudits last fall, recording 20 or more digs in five matches. Weaver and freshman Lena Bushrod will help anchor the libero spot for the Blazers.

McGraw hopes that the newcomers will challenge the veterans for playing time, giving her flexibility and talent throughout her lineup.

“Our recruits for the new season are dedicated hard workers and quick learners,” said McGraw. “Those characteristics are certainly strengths for us. Our program has a new attitude and outlook; we are all focused on the same goals and that is simply to play each time in the manner in which we know we can.

“Our goal this season will be to challenge ourselves. We've learned that we can be the biggest obstacle that our program can face. Our focus for the season is to bring the high energy levels to practice and matches and to compete to the best of our ability during each competition. We have a lot to prove to ourselves.”

The Blazers open up the 2007 slate at the Shenandoah University triangular Sept. 1. Hood’s first home match is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 5 against Frostburg State University. McGraw and the Blazers will make their CAC debut Wednesday, Sept. 12, at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, a program that advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament last season.