OKLAHOMA CITY -- As Craig Ruiz heads into his second year leading the Mid-America Christian University volleyball program, he will reap the benefit of having nine returners, including a trio of all-conference selections that have had a year to soak up his new system and should have high expectations heading into the 2012 campaign. "I think because they've been exposed to the system and now it's becoming instinct instead of reaction, we're going to see a tremendous improvement," Ruiz said.

Seniors Calle Solie (Glendale, Ariz.), Becca Anderson (Cleburne, Texas) and Taryn Walker (Oklahoma City, Okla.) were each named to the All- Sooner Athletic Conference squad, with Solie earning second-team honors, while Anderson and Walker were honorable-mention performers. The trio will be counted upon to form the core to help the Lady Evangels make a leap in the SAC standings this season.

Solie ranked sixth in the SAC with a team-high 875 assists last season, with Anderson leading the Lady Evangels with 182 kills and ranking second on the team in hitting percentage (.248) and blocks (56). Walker was a versatile producer for the Lady Evangels last year, recording team-best 233 digs and was a close second with 175 kills. "They'll bring maturity and patience, because they know you can't win volleyball matches on one play," Ruiz said. "In the NCAA championships, the winning team lost 45 percent of the points. They'll have the patience to wait for it to come and are willing to take the responsibility of the team on their shoulders."

Seniors Priscilla West (Belo Horizonte Brazil) and Rene' Crockett (Keller, Texas) also return after arriving on campus last year and making an immediate impact. West led the team with a .259 hitting percentage and proved to be a force at the net as well with a team-high 64 blocks and 15 solo blocks. Meanwhile, Crockett finished third on the team in kills (158) and blocks (33). Both West and Crockett appear to be in line for big senior campaigns. "Priscilla is a spiritual leader and very mature, which comes from being a junior college All-American," Ruiz said. "She's become a Mom and has a very Christ-like home. Her leadership comes from having Christ number one in her life." "

"Rene' started seeking what she wanted in her life and she found it here," Ruiz said. "I'm really proud of her being able to corporate volleyball into her life as a person. Rene' comes from an athletic family, including her brother Ray Crockett, who was an All-pro for the Denver Broncos for many years. Her nephew, Hank Melton is also an All-Pro defensive end for the Chicago Bears. She has very good athletic genes and is a great leader."

Junior Danielle Betts (Bentonville, Ark.) is also back, along with a pair of sophomores in Jordan Batley (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and Molly Lays (Brookville, PA) to give Ruiz a smorgasbord of veteran options this season.

Betts followed a promising freshman season in 2010 with 70 kills last year and ranked third on the team with 191 digs. Batley flashed an extremely effective serve, leading the SAC in aces per set (0.5). She also produced 112 kills and 104 digs on the season. After redshirting in 2010, Lays saw action in 29 matches and recorded 88 digs.

"Danielle last year really supported what we did last year and she was able to be very effective passing the ball on target and then quick and strong enough to get into the offensive scheme," Ruiz said. "Jordan could have SAC Newcomer of the Year last season, what she does speak for itself. "Molly is a role player for us and stepped up and played great defense last year and was always at the right place at the right time." "

"At this point, Mariah Mandelkow (Oklahoma City, Okla.) will be a medical redshirt this year," Ruiz said. "She can be an outstanding player, but we need to look more at her long term health and not just this year. Her set to kill ratio was highest on the team last year so we're excited to see what she can bring in the future."

Newcomers to the program include three junior transfers in Shelbie Wright (Kemp, Texas), Jennifer Allen (Norman, Okla.) and Kacee Montgomery (Norman, Okla.) Incoming freshmen looking to make their mark are freshman libero Jenny Pratt (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and Jordan Stouder (Moore, Okla.)

"Kacee is going to step in and make a huge impact immediately," Ruiz said. "She is the most complete player we've had come into this system." She played for me in high school, so she has the benefit of knowing our system."

"We're probably going to redshirt Jordan at this point but Jenny will step in and fill the libero role from the outset. Shelbie played in the NJCCAA National Championship last year and was the outstanding blocker for the tournament. She'll be the only left-handed player on our team and has big game experience, with a ton of energy. Jennifer will bring a lot of size and has just recently been exposed to the game, but she has probably has the highest reach on the team, so we're excited to get her integrated into our program."

Schedule

The Lady Evangels will begin the 2012 campaign on Aug. 23 at home against Southwestern Assemblies of God University. They will then host a pair of tri-matches with Crowley's Ridge College and Hillsdale College on Aug. 25 and then on Aug. 30 with Texas College and Southwestern Christian University. The Lady Evangels will kick off the conference season on the road at St. Gregory's University on Sept. 18, with their first league home match set for Sept. 28 against Wayland Baptist University.

"We have a few less games than last year, but I think we'll see our record take a dramatically positive turn," Ruiz said. "We've got some good tournaments and I think we'll react very positively to our slate. I expect to be in the postseason and be competitive once we get there."