VIDEO: Kristen Pickett Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the second in a three-part series that analyzes the roster for Carson-Newman volleyball heading into the 2014 campaign. Today's feature dives into the setters and middle blockers with senior setter Kristen Pickett (Cleveland, Tenn.).

Pickett is one of the most accomplished players the Eagle volleyball program has seen. The 2013 All-South Atlantic Conference honorable mention ranks second in school history with 2,680 assists and owns two of the top ten seasons in terms of assists per set that she set over the past two seasons. The senior has missed just one game in her three year career.

"The biggest thing that is different is how we run our offense," Pickett said of her role in head coach Dan Ahiers's system. "The middles will call first what they want then the outsides and right sides adjust to what they are doing. Now it's solely up to what I hear."

In his first recruiting class, Ahiers brought in a pair of setters with size. Freshman Morgan Harlan (Ladera Ranch, Calif.) stands at 6'2" and has been working as a middle blocker on top of her setting duties. Freshman Anna Patton (Franklin, Tenn.) is 6' and brings a blocking presence to the setting position.

The goal for the Eagles this season is to spread the wealth and not rely so heavily on first team All-SAC selection Rachel Harper who had just shy of 1,000 attack opportunities almost 300 more than the next closest last year.

"I think we are focusing on spreading the offense," Pickett said of changes made this year. "Our game as a whole has gotten so much better to where our passes aren't 20 feet away from the net. Everybody is a killer hitter at every position we have."

Returning from the 2013 unit is junior middle blocker Kiayna O'Neal (Katy, Texas) who tallied the 205 kills and a .238 attack percentage, both third-best on team last season. O'Neal ranked in the top ten in the SAC in total blocks (77 – 9^th) and solo rejections (14 – 8^th).

Ahiers brings in an experienced and prolific middle blocker in senior transfer from the University of California, Santa Barbara Jenna Wilson. The Rancho Cucamonga native has been a blocking extraordinaire in her career including lead the Fighting Gauchos in 2012 with 148 total blocks and at least five rejections on 16 occasions.

"It's really exciting," Pickett said of the middles. "I think our connection has gotten a lot stronger on the court. It's exciting to bring in Jenna as well. She brings a lot to the court who we haven't had in a while."

The position previews continues Friday with a look at the liberos.

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