VIDEO: Lauren Santarelli Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the first in a three-part series that analyzes the roster for Carson-Newman volleyball heading into the 2014 campaign. Today's feature looks at the outside and right side hitters with senior outside hitter Lauren Santarelli (Colorado Springs, Colo.).

The outside hitting position is the deepest and most experienced group despite losing current Director of Alumni Relations and Volunteer Assistant Coach Emily Schultz to graduation.

Two seniors, Rachel Harper (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Santarelli, will anchor the front line. Harper was a second team All-South Atlantic Conference selection last season and has been placed on the first team preseason list this season. In 2013, she produced the fourth-highest kills per set in program history with 3.53. The outside hitter ranks in the top ten of several career statistical categories including seventh in kills per set (2.67) and tied for ninth in total kills.

"Rachel Harper is a phenomenal hitter," Santarelli said of her classmate. "I think with our little ones too we have a lot of strength. Our outsides really know how to terminate."

Santarelli bounced back from a knee injury that she suffered at the end of the 2012 season that saw her miss the first eight matches of 2013. The Colorado Springs, Colo. native was an honorable mention All-SAC performer as a sophomore. Consistency is a word that comes to mind with Santarelli. She has averaged around 2.5 kills per set over the two seasons while she notched 167 digs last season.

"The transition has been a little bit different," Santarelli said of moving to the right side. "I've been playing outside for three years so it's kind of different to play on the right side this year. I don't think the transition is too difficult. On the right side, the ball has to cross over my body before I can swing."

Junior Sara Fairley (Charlotte, N.C.) returns seeking a bigger role after playing 44 sets in 2013. Kianna Sedlacek (Cardington, Ohio) is another junior who is looking for a bigger role. Sedlacek can play all six rotations and participated in 28 of the 29 matches a year ago.

Ahiers and his coaching staff has been impressed with Fairley during the preseason. The Eagles bring in a pair of freshman, Rachel Cutshaw (Whitesburg, Tenn.) and Kyrie Pennington (Charlotte, N.C.), to add talent to an already strong position group.

The position previews continue Thursday with a look at the setters and middle blockers.

- CN -