Roane State Community College

August 13, 2021

HARRIMAN, Tenn. – The Roane State volleyball team is set to begin its second season of competition on August 20 and 21 at the Spartanburg Methodist Tournament in Spartanburg, SC.

Head Coach Steve Dallman says he is extremely excited to start the new campaign after completing their first-ever season with a second-place conference finish. Looking toward the upcoming season, he says “I think we can challenge Walters State for the championship. We’re blessed with an extremely athletic group.”

A noticeable difference for the coming season is the team’s depth. “If injuries should become a factor,” says Dallman, “we have a lot more depth. It makes great competition in practice and it’s really exciting to see how good we can hopefully be.”

This year’s squad is a mix of proven veterans and talented incoming freshman. Some of the returning players include last season’s TCCAA Freshman of the Year, Sydney Smith. The Loudon High School graduate led the conference with 185 kills and was also first in the league with kills per set (3.78) and third in digs per set (5.27).

Another returning All-Conference performer is Taryn Lane. Lane led the conference in digs per set (7.37), which was also second-best in the nation last season. Dallman says the Seymour, Tenn. native is a “phenomenal player.”

Team captain Sally Spangler is another returning All-Conference player. According to Dallman, Spangler “has dealt with a lot of injuries but she’s a kid who gives you everything, every day, no matter what.” Dallman notes the Gibbs High School graduate is “A very, very crafty and smart hitter.”

Also returning for second seasons are Abbey Stinnett (Clinton, Tenn.) and Emily Evans (Powell, Tenn.) Dallman says Stinnett is probably in the best shape of her life right now. “She can definitely help us both outside and in the middle.”

Regarding Evans, the veteran coach says she has a “rocket serve.” He adds, “Her serve is unbelievable. She’s going to play a big part.”

New to the Raiders this season is a trio Dallman calls his “Trifecta Towers.” Six-foot-one hitters Madison McWhorter (Memphis, Tenn.) and Olivia Elliott (Lenoir City, Tenn.) add a new dimension to the team’s offense. Joining them is another freshman hitter, six-foot-two Chloe Howard (Grimsley, Tenn.).

Other new names on the roster include a duo from Cookeville High School, Katherine Roberts and Mattie Arnett. Dallman says Roberts has NCAA Division I talent and “can definitely contribute as a starting setter.”

Arnett, who received honors as an All-American honorable mention, first-team All-State and District and Region MVP, is another DI prospect and – according to Dallman – is “probably the team’s hardest hitter.”

Skylar Jenkins (Kodak, Tenn.) is a 5-foot-11, left-handed setter who is “very crafty and has nice hands,” notes Dallman.

Perhaps the most athletic member of the team is Madison Boyd (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) whom Dallman describes as “a great jumper who is an extremely good passer and smart hitter.”

Rounding out the new signees for the 2021 season are Mary Beth Luby (Oak Ridge, Tenn.), Morgan Lanham (Loudon, Tenn.), Brooklyn James (Madisonville, Tenn.), Hannah Day (Kingsport, Tenn.) and Harper Pratt (Knoxville, Tenn.), all of whom receive high praise from the veteran coach.

Dallman, who has some 25 years of volleyball coaching experience, including 14 years in NCAA DI, says this year’s schedule will be a tough one. “We open at the Spartanburg Methodist Tournament, then we go to Wallace State for a tournament against a bunch of nationally ranked teams, so that’s going to be a good test for us,” he stated.

Before the first game of the season has even been played, recruits for next season are already finding their way to Roane State. Dallman says prospects are coming from as far away as West Virginia and Arizona. “I mean, people are flying to Roane State,” says the coach. “That says to me we’re on the right track.”

The gym will be open for spectators this season, with a recommendation from the college that all visitors wear masks indoors. For those who cannot attend in person, many Raiders volleyball matches will be live streamed by JockJive Sports.