Written By: Ally Hurd and DeVante Wynn
Head Coach: Jennifer Kandt
Last Season’s Record: 18-13
Facility: James & Sis Brown Athletics Center
Introduction
The Reinhardt Lady Eagles volleyball team is looking forward to another successful year behind the leadership of a core group of returners. Of the 16 players, 11 are returning, 5 of which received post-season honors. At last year’s conference banquet the Lady Eagles walked away with a host of awards: Rachel Croce made the all-freshman team, Ally Hurd received second team all-conference and academic honors, Katelyn Wienbarg and Arden Fox were also presented with academic honors, and Sam Croce was awarded with Setter of the Year and academic honors.
Coaching Staff
After a stint at Virginia Intermont, Head Coach Jennifer Kandt enters her second season at Reinhardt University. In her first season, Kandt lead the Lady Eagles to an 18-13 record and a third place finish in the conference tournament. This year she is assisted by former Lady Eagle, Katie Gilstrap. Gilstrap was the dominant middle hitter the last four years for Reinhardt, now she takes on her first season as a graduate assistant.
Players
#1 Katelyn Wienbarg, SR, OH, 5-9, Waleska, GA
#2 Megan Schillo, JR, DS, 5-4, Odessa, FL
#3 Mary Ruth Wheeler, SO, RS, 5-11 Murfreesboro, TN
#4 Ansley Smith, JR, DS, 5-7, Powder Springs, GA
#5 Kersten Joyner, FR, S/RS, 5-7, Mobile, AL
#6 Nancy Hatcher, FR, L, 5-9, Columbus, GA
#8 Arden Fox, JR, DS, 5-6, Smyrna, TN
#10 Sam Croce, SR, S, 5-9, Alpharetta, GA
#11 Rachel Croce, SO, MB, 5-10, Alpharetta, GA
#12 Lindsey Higgins, SO, DS, 5-2, Ball Ground, GA
#14 Danielle Cutip, SO, OH, 5-6, Austell, GA
#15 Angel Cornista, FR, DS, 5-6, Woodstock, GA
#16 Ally Hurd, JR, OH, 5-9, Gulf Breeze, FL
#17 Joanie Tenenbaum, FR, MB, 6-0, Kennesaw, GA
#18 Ashlyn Brandon, FR, MB, 5-10, Woodstock, GA
#21 Kayley Edgar, SO, DS, 5-7, Ball Ground, GA
The Lady Eagles have 11 native Georgians on their roster, two ladies from Florida, two from Tennessee, and one from Alabama. Reinhardt recruits close to home, as there are six ladies from the local area. The Lady Eagles consists of five freshman, four sophomores, five juniors, and two seniors.
Schedule
August
25 6:30 PM @ Life University
28 3:00 PM vs. Freed-Hardeman University
5:00 PM vs. University of Pikeville
29 10:00 AM vs. Purdue University Calumet
2:00 PM @ Shawnee State University
September
1 6:30 PM vs. Point University
5 10:00 AM @ Dalton State College
4:00 PM vs. Life University
11 6:30 PM vs. Milligan College
12 1:00 PM @ Tennessee Wesleyan College
15 6:30 PM @ (RV) Bryan College
18 6:30 PM vs. Bluefield College
19 1:00 PM vs. Union College (KY)
22 6:30 PM @ Truett-McConnell College
25 6:30 PM vs. Montreat College
30 6:30 PM @ Brenau University
October
2 6:30 PM @ Union College (KY)
3 1:00 PM @ Bluefield College
6 6:30 PM vs. (RV) Bryan College
9 6:30 PM vs. St. Andrews University
10 4:00 PM vs. Columbia (SC) College
13 6:30 PM @ Point University
17 1:00 PM vs. Tennessee Wesleyan College
19 6:30 PM vs. Dalton State College
23 6:30 PM @ Milligan College
24 1:00 PM @ Montreat College
30 6:30 PM @ St. Andrews University
31 1:00 PM @ Columbia (SC) College
November
3 6:30 PM vs. Truett-McConnell College
5 6:30 PM vs. Brenau University
Conference
The Lady Eagles participate in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). The AAC consists of 11 schools including RU. Last year, Coach Kandt led the Lady Eagles to a 10-5 regular season conference record and a fifth-place finish. Despite finishing third in last year’s conference tournament (the best finish in program history) and returning 11 players, Reinhardt was picked to finish fifth in the AAC this season.
