MURFREESBORO – The future of Chowan College volleyball is bright.

Second-year skipper Becky Roak is looking forward to bringing in a large freshman recruiting class to add to six returning starters to help the Lady Braves as they strive to climb the ladder of success.

The Braves are suffering the loss of senior Rebecca Boston, who will graduate after starting for Chowan the last four years.

&uot;Becca Boston is a big loss,&uot; Roak admitted. &uot;She has been a starter here for the last four years and it’s a key loss, especially when we’re looking at having a freshman come in to fill that spot.&uot;

The two keys to next season’s success likely will be sophomore Keyon Sellars and rising senior Rebecca Mainquist.

&uot;Those two will have to step up big for us next season,&uot; Roak said.

Sellars, who was a major addition to the club during her freshman season, led the team in digs with 370 on the season.

She also led the team in blocks (32) and was third in digs with 92 last season.

Mainquist had 99 kills last season which was good enough for second on the team. She was also second on the team in digs with 340 on the season.

As she looks to next year, Roak believes consistency will be the biggest key for the club’s success.

&uot;I think the core we have with the six returning players helps,&uot; she said. &uot;They know the system and can help bring along the freshman as the year progresses.&uot;

The freshmen will also be a key factor for the Lady Braves as Roak said she hopes to have a large recruiting class.

&uot;It’s going to be a big recruiting class, hopefully,&uot; she said. &uot;We are recruiting all positions, but will definitely need a setter. Mainquist has played there, so we have some experience, but we will be looking for a freshman to come in and take that spot right away.&uot;

The coach said she was also looking to add a couple of hitters to the club.

This will be Roak’s first recruiting class as she didn’t get to Chowan until August of last year. She said she has enjoyed the recruiting process and is looking forward to getting her first class to the school.

&uot;I’m excited,&uot; Roak admitted. &uot;I enjoyed coaching the kids last ear. They made it more enjoyable. We had growing pains, with it being my first year as a head coach, but I think we will be alright.&uot;

Next season the Braves will begin their move to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II. Three D-II schools will dot Roak’s schedule of what should be at least 20 games.

The Braves will face off with the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Elizabeth City State University and Virginia State, all who are D-II.

The Braves will also be in tournaments at Wilson College and Guilford College.

As they prepare for next season, Chowan’s squad just finished doing a volleyball camp for Northeast Academy’s junior varsity and varsity teams.

&uot;I think it was a good time for our team and got us excited about volleyball again,&uot; Roak said.