1. Anthony Sparks
Prof M.E. Gamble
Media Writing (514 words)
September 9, 2011
Bethany Bison Volleyball Preview 2011
The Bethany College Bison Volleyball team is looking to have the same success they had in the
2010 season, where they were ECAC South Region Tournament champions, which was their first ever
postseason appearance and win in school history, while having a 24-13 record. Ultimately, the 2010
season was the turning point for this program, so the expectations for this season are higher than ever
before.
Coach Courtney Kline, in her fifth year as the Bison coach, is bringing back 12 returners from last
year’s ECAC championship squad, and she has also added many talented freshmen for depth. The
freshmen class is a well-rounded group with players for nearly every position and the amount of players
coming in will allow the Bison to run a Reserve team schedule for the first time in the program’s history.
Coach Kline said, “Winning the last game to win ECAC’s was a real turning point for the program and
only motivated the team to work harder in the offseason. It gave them confidence and now they
understand they have the ability to win any game they put their minds to. We’ve had the talent but now
we have the confidence and we used it to have the best spring we’ve ever had by far.”
Leading the returning players is senior middle blocker Carrie Talkington (Moundsville,
W.Va./John Marshall). In addition to earning Second Team All-PAC, she was named the MVP of the ECAC
Tournament and finished the year with 419 kills, second-most in Bethany single-season history. In
addition, she was strong at the net defensively with 165 total blocks. “Carrie is coming off her best
season and her progress between her sophomore and junior seasons was absolutely amazing,” said

2. Kline. “She has always had the talent but her confidence really emerged and that was a big reason her
play improved so much. We really look for her to lead us offensively and defensively, where her blocking
at the net also improved.”
Another leader for the Bethany attack will be triggered by junior Jessica Zavatchen (Uniontown,
Pa. /Laurel Highlands), who is in her third season as the starting setter. The Honorable Mention All-PAC
choice obliterated her single-season school record for assists with 1,392 and needs just 255 more to
break the career assists mark. An extremely versatile player, Zavatchen also brought up 297 digs and
ranked second on the team with 81 blocks. The Bison look to lean on leaders like Talkington and
Zavatchen, and other big time players, to have an even more successful 2011 season.
The team goals for this year include going farther in the PAC Tournament then Bethany ever has,
but also includes milestones on coming together as a group and helping everyone with the program
reach their potential bests, which will ultimately help the team achieve its goals. Coach Kline has made
this possible by having dedication and instilling hard work in all of her players, and the Bison look to use
those qualities to achieve their goals this season.