AIKEN, S.C.--USC Aiken is one of seven teams that feels like its biggest dream for the past eight years has finally come true--the departure of North Florida. It may sound a little cold on the surface, but believe in the fact that the statement is made in sheer respect for the former Peach Belt Conference foe and newest member of Division I and the Atlantic Sun Conference.

For the last eight seasons, North Florida has dominated PBC volleyball, winning eight-straight regular season championship--the entire length of the Lady Ospreys’ stay in the conference, not to mention six of eight PBC Tournament titles.

But as the Lady Ospreys exit stage left, taking with them a streak of 63 consecutive regular season conference wins, a new era of hope and excitement begins for the remaining seven volleyball schools in the league.

“In some ways, it [the loss of North Florida] will make the league a lot more competitive from top to bottom,” said USCA head coach Will Condon, 91-74 in his five seasons at the helm. “In the past, you had to win all 12 of your conference matches and then try and split with North Florida just to have a chance at a championship. Now, it is possible for a team to have three, maybe four losses and win it all.”

So with five of six starters returning from the Lady Pacers’ 2004 squad that went 21-13 overall and finished fourth in the conference at 8-6, does Condon see a PBC title in the program’s future?

“I think four teams will really compete for the championship,” said Condon, eluding that USCA could be one of those teams.

The one starter that is not returning easily leaves the biggest void on the team. Jenny Lloyd set numerous school and conference records in her stellar four-year career capped by back-to-back seasons of nearly 600 kills earning All-Conference and First-Team AVCA All-Region honors as a senior.

“Obviously we lose our crutch. We lose the person that was the main focus of our offense,” said Condon. “But on a positive note, we also lose a lot of our predictability.”

What is coming back in 2005 is an impressive group of young talent. A talented trio of sophomores in Veronica Seidle, Missy Deardorff, and Mandy Gerolstein, joins junior Laura Williams and senior setter Rachel Dalitz as returning starters. Williams and Gerolstein make up a formidable middle attack for the Lady Pacers. Williams (.343) is the top returning hitter in the conference while Gerolstein (.300) is fourth. Dalitz (12.08) finished second in assists per game in 2004 to PBC Player of the Year Valerie Martinez of North Florida.

In the absence of North Florida, USC Aiken would have led the PBC in hitting percentage (.257), kills per game (15.73), and service aces per game (2.43) last year.

“Since I’ve gotten to know the players better over the last year, its really not that impressive because of their personality and work ethic and desire to win,” said Condon commenting on his team’s turnaround from 13-21 in 2003 to 21-13 last year, representing one of the biggest turnarounds in PBC history.

Last year did catch the attention of the rest of the Peach Belt Conference coaches, however, as they voted the Lady Pacers a close third in the preseason poll, just three points back of Francis Marion in second.

“They players’ goal is to win the conference. They decided that’s what they wanted,” said Condon. “As a coach, my goal is just to help them reach their goal.”

For that to become a reality, the incoming recruiting class will have to gel with the returners and buy into the system in a hurry.

“Our number one priority with this recruiting class was the libero position. Last year we could have gotten more out of that position than we did,” said Condon. “With Hayden Johnson and Danielle Spice, we’ve more than addressed it.”

“Our other main goal was to improve depth and give us more options and now we certainly are the deepest we’ve been,” said Condon.

SETTERS
Dalitz and junior Cheryl Barcas will again battle it out for the second year in a row at the floor general’s position. Dalitz, honored as a PBC Specialist of the Week last year, is less than 300 assists shy of moving into second place on the school’s career assists list with over 3,800. With a strong season, she could surpass 5,000 for her career. Barcas saw little action in 2004 but worked hard in the off season to fight for her time in 2005.

“It will be very, very competitive this year. Rachel returns with three years experience, but Cheryl came into camp prepared and has done well,” said Condon. “The positive side is that we have two setters capable of playing at a high level in the conference.”

MIDDLE HITTERS
This may be one of the most solid positions on the floor for the Lady Pacers. Williams and Gerolstein will control the middle with sophomore Jasmine Edney continuing to learn the ropes after converting from outside hitter last spring. Both are among the top five in the conference in hitting percentage among returners. Add to that the duo combining for 212 blocks last year, and the junior-sophomore tandem will be among the best in the league.

Edney is an ultra-athletic player that will continue to improve at her new position.

“Laura is in her second year of playing middle, so she’s still learning. She is becoming less setter dependant, has sharpened her off speed shots, and is more aggressive with blocking,” said Condon. “For just her second year here, Mandy has put a lot of the offensive load on her shoulders. She’s worked hard on her footwork and is improving her repertoire. Jasmine is a natural fit at middle because of her athleticism and she loves to block.”

OUTSIDE HITTERS/RIGHT SIDE
A pair of returners in Seidle and Deardorff will anchor this deep position for the Lady Pacers. Seidle took home the team’s Most Valuable Player award in 2004 as a freshman after turning in an amazingly consistent year for such a young player in a tough league. Fans witnessed the flashes of Deardorff’s brilliance in her freshman campaign, something Condon expects to see much more of this year.

“Missy will be the fulcrum of our team. She’s very versatile and when people give attention to Laura and Mandy, she can take advantage of that and be the knock out punch,” said Condon.

Deardorff’s 225 kills was fifth best on the team last year. Seidle tallied 314 kills, third best, to go with 359 digs, 25 service aces, and just 10 service errors.

“We have more outside hitters than we’ve ever had, giving us great depth at that position,” said Condon. “We have Veronica back who is such a solid, consistent player. Katie Baker is a dynamic offensive player and Stefanie Durham is fun to watch.”

Sophomore Amanda Timm, who can set as well, has had a good preseason and figures to see action on the court at right side.

LIBERO
The two main liberos from last year, Brandi Gayle and Karen McClellan, are no longer with the Lady Pacers meaning it will be up to those highly touted recruits to step in and make an impact right away. Hayden Johnson and Danielle Spice are the two to be counted on the most.

“Hayden could be the biggest impact player on the team this year. Her job is to create opportunities for other people,” said Condon. “Danielle has also done an impressive job thus far. These two just make plays. They don’t mess up easy plays and you never have to worry about them.”