MU volleyball senior going all-out

Team is already 9-2 with two tournament titles.

High school sports results for May 26
5/26/12
Reds' six-game winning streak broken
5/26/12
Annual Warrior Soccer Classic kicks off today
5/26/12
Dragons' rally falls short against Lansing
5/26/12
WSU baseball ousted from tournament
5/26/12
> More sports headlines

By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 12:32 AM Thursday, September 15, 2011

OXFORD — Miami University’s Jenn Caylor wants her senior volleyball season to be something special.

“I’ve been working on hitting all out, as if every game could be my last,” she said. “Realizing this is my last hurrah, I know I have to kick it up a notch.”

The outside hitter from Centerville has kicked it, alright, and so have her teammates. A Miami team that finished 12-21 in 2010 is now 9-2 and has won two tournaments.

The RedHawks, who will play Friday and Saturday in the Tar Heel Classic at the University of North Carolina, have legitimate aspirations of making it to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in five years.

Caylor has been named to three all-tournament teams already this season. Sophomore libero Madison Hardy and senior outside hitter Amy Roseman have been named tourney MVPs. Senior middle hitter Cassie Farrell and freshman setter/hitter Meg Riley have also made all-tournament teams.

“We do see that talent spread across the board,” said Miami coach Carolyn Condit, who, in her 28th season at Miami, has 492 wins with the RedHawks and 591 overall. “Different players have stepped up at different times, which is what we need.”

Condit called Caylor “a quiet, introverted player. But her game is loud. And when Jenn speaks, the kids listen because it’s always thoughtful and always on the mark.”

“I wanted to have a stronger presence on the court,” Caylor said, “and be a stronger leader on the court, more of a vocal leader.”

Condit said she downgraded Miami’s schedule this season in an attempt to garner more non-conference victories and make the team more attractive to the NCAA selection committee.

“It’s not a cakewalk by any means, but it is a step down,” Condit said.

One of Miami’s two losses was to four-time defending national champion Penn State, and the RedHawks held their own, losing 25-20, 25-18, 25-21.

“Our team is handling pressure better and finding its rhythm,” Condit said. “We’re playing some good team volleyball.”

Miami also has received strong play from junior setter Amy Kendall, junior outside hitter (and Hamilton High grad) Christina Menche, freshman middle hitter Chelsea Visk and freshman libero Tori Clifford.

At 5-foot-3, Clifford is, according to Condit, “the shortest player I’ve ever brought to Miami.”

Outside hitter Jenn Caylor has helped the RedHawks win nine of their first 11.

Share this article