This is the final installment of a four-part series preview of the MACU Fall Sports, concluding with a look at volleyball under the new direction of first-year head coach Craig Ruiz. 

Oklahoma City, Okla. -- The Mid-America Christian Lady Evangels are embarking on a new era, as first-year head coach Craig Ruiz comes aboard after serving as head coach at nearby Deer Creek high school last season. Ruiz is no stranger to the OKC area, or to the Lady Evangels' volleyball program.

"Having coached in the OKC area for many years, I've been familiar with the MACU volleyball program since the late 90's," Ruiz said. "Several of my high school players have played their college careers here and had great success."

The Lady Evangels picked up steam down the stretch last year, winning their regular season finale in the Sooner Athletic Conference and then notching a third-place finish at the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) Central Regional Tournament. The Lady Evangels won 15 matches overall last year, their most since joining the NAIA in 2007. Ruiz has to hope that late momentum can carry over into the start of the 2011 campaign.

"We are very excited about what this year has to offer and with our players getting another year of experience, I think we will see a marked improvement," Ruiz said. "We are a close team and have some great leaders, I am sure we will surprise some teams this year.

"Even with the loss of NAIA All-American Cris Smith and All-Conference libero Shelbi Johnson, the cupboard is not bare for Ruiz' arrival, as he will return six players who saw action in at least half of the Lady Evangels' sets last season. Leading the returners is all-conference setter Calle Solie, who ranked second in the conference in assists (1051), fourth in assists per set (7.8), while also ranking 20th in digs (307).

"Calle is a great setter and an even better person," Ruiz said. "She always has a positive attitude and encourages her teammates. She leads by example and displays a great work ethic and personal responsibility. I expect for her to have an even better season this year.

"Other key returners are a trio of juniors in MB Becca Anderson, libero Melissa Dobie and OH/MB Taryn Walker. Anderson had a strong sophomore season, ranking second on the team in both kills (232) and blocks (107). Walker produced 177 kills and 40 blocks, while Dobie followed up her all-conference performance in soccer with 128 digs as a backup libero. Dobie has now emerged as the team's starting libero for this season.

Also back this season is senior MB Kathryn Chapman, junior OH Jamie Floyd and sophomore OH Danielle Betts. Chapman recorded 46 kills and 32 blocks last season in 83 sets played, with Floyd chipping in with 83 kills and 13 blocks. Betts will try to top a fabulous freshman season that saw her finish second on the squad in kills per game (1.70), third in total kills (219) and also contribute 200 digs.

"Becca, Jamie, Kat, Danielle, Melissa and Taryn bring so much to every session," Ruiz said. "They have also taken the new players under their wing and and them feel right at home.

"Redshirt-freshman Molly Lays, an Opp/DS, along with a pair of freshmen outside hitters in Rene' Crockett and Mariah Mandelkow will also vie for playing time this season and should provide Ruiz with valuable depth.

MACU will kick off the 2011 campaign with a non-conference home matchup against Sterling College on Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. The Lady Evangels will then compete in a tourney in Sherman, Texas before participating in the Evangel University quad matches in Springfield, Mo. The Lady Evangels' conference opener will be at home against John Brown on Sept. 13.

"I feel like we can be very competitive with anyone we play but I am not familiar with all of the opponents we are playing since I haven't coached in this division in a while," Ruiz said. "I do see us having a tough conference and having to really focus to maintain our competitiveness."