Main Navigation Menu - Savannah State Athletics
Savannah State 2014 Volleyball Prospectus
2 0 1 4 S ava n n a h S tat e V o l l e y b a l l
Quick Facts General Information
Team information
Location:...............................................................Savannah, Ga. Overnight Mailing Address:......................................Tiger Arena ...........................................................................3219 College St. ....................................................................Savannah, Ga. 31404 Founded:................................................................................1890 Enrollment:...........................................................................4,582 Nickname:.................................................................Lady Tigers School Colors:.............................Burnt Orange and Reflex Blue Facility:..............................................Wilcox-Wiley Gymnasium Capacity:.................................................................................600 National Affiliation:.........................................NCAA Division I Conference:..................................Mid-Eastern Athletic (MEAC) President:.......................................Dr. Cheryl Davenport Dozier Alma Mater:...............................Fairleigh Dickenson University Athletics Director:.........................................Sterling Steward Jr. Alma Mater:...................University of Southern Mississippi ‘93 Athletic Office Phone:............................................912-358-3449 Athletic Office Fax:...............................................912-353-5287
Coaching Staff Head Coach:........................................................Jolanta Graham Alma Mater:..............................University of Lodz (Poland) ‘02 Career Record (Years):.................................1-47 (Third Season) Record at Savannah State (Years):.......................................Same MEAC Record (Years):...................................................1-19 (2) MEAC Tournament (Years):..............................................0-0 (2) Volleyball Office Phone:......................................(912) 358-3072 Volleyball Fax:.....................................................(912) 353-5287 Best Time To Reach Coach:......................................Contact SID
Media Relations Asst. Athletics Director for Media Relations:......Opio Mashariki Asst. Media Relations:........Joshua Peacock (Volleyball Contact) Media Relations Email:[email protected] Media Relations Office Phone:..............................(912) 358-3448 Media Relations Office Fax:...................................(912) 353-5287
2013 Overall Record:............................................................1-29 2013 Record on the Road:....................................................0-14 2013 Record at Home:............................................................1-7 2013 Record at Neutral:..........................................................0-8 2013 MEAC Record:...............................................................1-9 Letterman Returning/Lost:......................................................6/5 Starters Returning/Lost:..........................................................4/2 Newcomers:................................................................................9
2014 Starters Returning Player Justice Dilworth Christian Lyle Alexis Washington Caitlynn Masoe
2014 Newcomers Player Lynae Bryant Elexius Harris Autumn Session Zariya Thomas Olivia Wasdon Zakiya Barnes Miyah Davis Vanessa Foster Kayla Glover
Pos. S OH/MH MH OH/RS DS/L DS OH/RH OH/RH OH
Yr. Jr. Jr. So. So. Ht. 5-8 5-9 6-0 5-11 5-8 5-6 5-7 5-6 5-9
Kills 141 141 1 52
Digs 60 26 216 142
Blocks 20 45 0 22
Hometown Murrieta, Calif. Mansfield, Ohio Baltimore, Md. Durham, N.C. Conyers, Ga. Wichita, Kan. Stockbridge, Ga. Simi Valley, Calif. Rockledge, Fla.
History First Season:..........................................................................1985 All-Time Record (Since 1994):.........................................64-415 First Year of NCAA D-I Play:..............................................2002 All-Time NCAA D-I Record (2002):................................40-306 NCAAAppearances:...................................................................0 First Year of MEAC Play:....................................................2011 All-Time MEAC Record:......................................................1-29 MEAC Tournament Appearances...............................................0
Online
Sports Medicine Asst. Athletic Trainer (Volleyball):..................Rebekkah Gatson Athletic Trainer Phone:.......................................(912) 358-3455 Head Athletic Trainer:..................................................Clint Brif
w w w. s s u at hl e t i c s . c o m
Pos. OH MB L S
Athletics Website:…………….................www.ssuathletics.com Athletics Twitter:...……………...........…...........@savstatetigers Athletics Facebook:..…............www.facebook.com/ssuathletics Athletics Youtube:.......................www.youtube.com/ssuathletics Conference Website (MEAC):..................www.meacsports.com
#HailSSU
Page 1
2 0 1 4 S ava n n a h S tat e V o l l e y b a l l
Outlook
Savannah State women’s volleyball begins a new era
T
he Savannah State women’s volleyball program enters its 29th year in 2014 with a new head coach and a fresh approach. During the off season, interim head coach Jolanta Graham was named the sixth head coach in the Division I era of the Savannah State women’s volleyball program. Graham took over duties as the interim head coach midway through the 2012 season. During her two years as interim head coach, Graham slowly began to build a stronger program. She culminated her progress with the program’s first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win in the final game of the 2013 season. The 3-1 win over North Carolina Central on November 10, 2013 broke a 91-match losing streak for the program that dated back to 2010. Graham’s new approach to the program will build on an academics first mentality. In the 2014 spring semester, the volleyball team had the second highest GPA of all the Savannah State sports. On the court, the team will be young in the final year of the programs third decade. They return six of last year’s 11-person squad. During the off-season, Graham added four new recruits and five
walk-ons. They will stage the 2014 season with a 15-person team that is comprised of four freshman, four sophomores, five juniors, a graduate student and only one senior. The junior class will be the key to success for the Lady Tigers. SSU’s top two returners, juniors Justice Dilworth (outside hitter) and Christian Lyle (middle blocker) will anchor the Lady Tigers. Dilworth and Lyle led the team in total kills with 141 each. Dilworth led in total kills per game (1.68), and attack percentage (.045). She was second on the team in total points with 171 (2.04 per game). Both set a single-game career-high record in kills (11 each) in the Lady Tigers’ lone win last year against North Carolina Central. Lyle’s role on the team has not only earned her a starting position, but a scholarship as well. After walking on in 2012, she became a staple of the rising Lady Tiger squad. She broke all of her career records in her sophomore season, leading the team in total blocks (45),
w w w. s s u at hl e t i c s . c o m
#HailSSU
and points (184). Sophomore’s Alexis Washington (libero), and Caitlynn Masoe (setter) will most likely resume their starting roles for Savannah State. Washington led the team in digs (216), averaging 2.81 per game. Washington set a career-high record of 17 digs in a game against Providence, and nudged herself into the Savannah State record books with the fifth highest digs (216) in a single season, and the fourth highest amount of digs (17) in a three game match. Masoe played in all 92 games, and led the team in assists (496). She edged into the record book with the fourth highest assists – a career high 40 - in a single four game match. Masoe ended the season with 52 kills, a .183 hitting percentage, 142 digs (1.54 avg.), and 22 total blocks. Also returning for SSU is middle hitter Gabrielle Nathaniel, who was a pivotal part of the squad early last year, until an injury sidelined her for the majority of the season. The Lady Tigers are scheduled to play 31 games this season with 13 home games, and 18 Continued on the next page Page 2
2 0 1 4 S ava n n a h S tat e V o l l e y b a l l
Outlook
Continued from the previous page: road games. In the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) portion of the schedule, SSU will play 10 matches against Southern Division teams. Savannah State will open the season with a single-day, triad match at home with Brewton-Parker and Fort Valley State visiting. They continue the early portion of the season with three straight tournaments. SSU will play Southern Utah, Maryland Eastern Shore, and the University of California Riverside at the Southern Utah Tournament in Cedar City, Utah in early September. In mid-September, they will play in the Alabama State Tournament, in Montgomery, before returning home for the SSU Tournament
w w w. s s u at hl e t i c s . c o m
in late September. The Lady Tigers will host Alcorn State, Alabama A&M, and Touglaoo College in the two-day Savannah State Tournament. SSU opens MEAC play on the road against Florida A&M on September 26, and Bethune-Cookman on September 28. They will play a total of five home MEAC games, before closing out the season on the road against North Carolina A&T State, and North Carolina Central in early November. After the team broke the longest losing drought in the program’s history, a shift in mentality has laid in. The 2014 season could prove to be one of the most successful in the Division I era. #HailSSU
Page 3
2 0 1 4 S ava n n a h S tat e V o l l e y b a l l
Head Coach
Jolanta Graham
w w w. s s u at hl e t i c s . c o m
#HailSSU
E
Full Name: Jolanta Graham Birth Date: May 20, 1978 Hometown: Lodz, Poland Family: Steven Graham (husband) Education: Master of Physical Education, University of Lodz (2002).
Savannah State University, Interim Head Coach (2012-2014).
N
COACHING EXPERIENCE Savannah State University, Head Coach (2014-Present)
A
University of Lodz, 1997-2002
C
PLAYING EXPERIENCE Poland Professional Volleyball League, 2002-2006
Hilton Head Volleyball Club, Head Coach 12-18 year olds (2010-2012).
L
Preparatory High School and as head coach of the junior varsity team at Hilton Head High School from 2009 to 2011. In 2006-2007, she served as an advisor to coaches on player’s developmental progress for the Low Country Volleyball Club. As a professional volleyball player, Graham competed with the Poland Professional Volleyball League in her native Poland from 2002-2006 as a setter. Graham played with the University of Lodz Volleyball squad from 1997 to 2002, which won silver and brown medals in the Polish indoor volleyball intercollegiate championship, and bronze medal in beach volleyball. In the European intercollegiate championship, Graham’s University team took second place. Graham earned a Master of Physical Education from the University of Lodz in Poland in 2002. She has studied Business Management at the Technical College of the Low Country, and International English at Georgia Southern University. She resides in Hilton Head, South Carolina with her husband Steven Graham.
Georgia Southern, Volunteer Assistant Coach (2008)
G
Jolanta Graham enters her first year as the head coach for Savannah State women’s volleyball. Graham took over duties as the interim head coach midway through the 2012 season. She was named the sixth Division I head coach for SSU in early 2014. During her two years as interim head coach, Graham slowly began to build a stronger program. She culminated her progress with the program’s first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win in the final game of the 2013 season. The 3-1 win over North Carolina Central broke a 91-match losing streak for the program that dated back to 2010. The Lodz, Poland native, comes to Savannah State from the Hilton Head Volleyball Club, where she served as a co-founder, developmental director for coaches and players, and a coach for 12-18 year olds, since 2010. Prior to Hilton Head, she also served as a volunteer assistant for the Georgia Southern Women’s Volleyball squad and Men’s Volleyball Club Team. In 2007, Graham served as a varsity assistant at the Hilton Head
Hilton Head Preparatory High School, Assistant Coach. (2007) Hilton Head High School, Head Coach Junior Varsity (2009-2011).
Page 4
2 0 1 4 S ava n n a h S tat e V o l l e y b a l l
Schedule Date Opponent Location Time AUG. 30 BREWTON-PARKER UNIVERSITY SAVANNAH, GA. 10 a.m. Aug. 30 Brewton-Parker vs. Fort Valley State Savannah, Ga. 12:30 p.m. AUG. 30 FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SAVANNAH, GA. 3 p.m. Southern Utah University Tournament Cedar City, Utah Sept. 5 Southern Utah University Cedar City, Utah 10 a.m. Sept. 5 Maryland Eastern Shore Cedar City, Utah 4 p.m. Sept. 6 University of California Riverside Cedar City, Utah 10:30 a.m. Alabama State University Tournament Montgomery, Ala. Sept. 11 The Citadel Montgomery, Ala. 1:30 p.m. Sept. 11 Alabama State University Montgomery, Ala. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 Southeast Missouri State Montgomery, Ala. 11 a.m. Sept. 12 Towson University Montgomery, Ala. 5 p.m. Savannah State Tournament Savannah, Ga. Sept. 19 Alcorn State vs. Alabama A&M Savannah, Ga. 1 p.m. SEPT. 19 TOUGALOO COLLEGE SAVANNAH, GA. 3:30 p.m. SEPT. 19 ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. Sept. 20 Alabama A&M vs. Tougaloo College Savannah, Ga. 11 a.m. Sept. 20 Tougaloo College vs. Alcorn State University Savannah, Ga. 1:30 p.m. SEPT. 20 ALABAMA A&M SAVANNAH, GA. 4 p.m. Sept. 23 Charleston Southern University Charleston, S.C. 7 p.m. Sept. 26 Florida A&M University* Tallahassee, Fla. 7 p.m. Sept. 28 Bethune-Cookman University* Daytona Beach, Fla. 1 p.m. SEPT. 30 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIV. SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. OCT. 3 S.C. STATE UNIVERSITY* SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. Oct. 5 Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Ga. 6 p.m. Oct. 7 The Citadel Charleston, S.C. 6 p.m. OCT. 10 N.C. CENTRAL UNIVERSITY* SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. OCT. 12 N.C. A&T STATE UNIVERSITY* SAVANNAH, GA. 1 p.m. Oct. 15 Mercer University Macon, Ga. 6 p.m. Oct. 21 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Ga. 6 p.m. OCT. 24 BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY* SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. OCT. 26 FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY* SAVANNAH, GA. 1 p.m. OCT. 28 THE CITADEL SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. OCT. 29 MERCER UNIVERSITY< SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. Oct. 31 Brewton-Parker College Mount Vernon, Ga. 7 p.m. Nov. 2 S.C. State University* Orangeburg, S.C. 2 p.m. Nov. 7 N.C. A&T State University* Greensboro, N.C. 7 p.m. Nov. 9 N.C. Central University* Durham, N.C. 1 p.m. Nov. 14-16 MEAC Championship TBA TBA * Denotes MEAC match | Home Matches in BOLD CAPS | < Senior Day Non-SSU Games on SSU court in Bold Italicize
w w w. s s u at hl e t i c s . c o m
#HailSSU
Page 5
2 0 1 4 S ava n n a h S tat e V o l l e y b a l l
Roster No. Name Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown/Previous School 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16
Elexius Harris Zariya Thomas Gabrielle Nathaniel Alexis Washington Justice Dilworth Vanessa Foster Caitlynn Masoe Miyah Davis Kayla Glover Chantia Taylor Olivia Wasdon Zakiya Barnes Autumn Session Christian Lyle Lynae Bryant
OH/MH OH/RS MH L OH OH/RH S OH/RH OH MH DS/L DS MH MB S
5-9 5-11 5-9 5-4 5-9 5-6 5-9 5-7 5-9 5-8 5-8 5-6 6-0 5-11 5-8
Fr. Fr. So. So. Jr. So. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Gr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Fr.
Mansfield, Ohio / Mansfield Senior HS Durham, N.C. / Riverside HS Ontario, Canada / Notre Dame Catholic Chino, Ca. / Chino Hills HS Kingsland, Ga. / Camden County HS Simi Valley, Calif. / Bishop Alemany HS Long Beach, Ca. / Long Beach Millikan HS Stockbridge, Ga. / Woodland HS Rockledge, Fla. / Paine College Alachua, Fla. / Buchholz HS Conyers, Ga. / Georgia Tech Wichita, Kan. / Wichita HS East Baltimore, Md. / Riverwood Inter. Charter Savannah, Ga. / Savannah Arts Academy Murrieta, Calif. / Vista Murrieta HS
Pronunciation Guide:
Caitlynn Masoe: Kate-Lynn Muh-Soy
w w w. s s u at hl e t i c s . c o m
#HailSSU
Jolanta Graham: Yo-Lah-N-Ta
Page 6
2 0 1 4 S ava n n a h S tat e V o l l e y b a l l
Quick Facts General Information
Team information
Location:...............................................................Savannah, Ga. Overnight Mailing Address:......................................Tiger Arena ...........................................................................3219 College St. ....................................................................Savannah, Ga. 31404 Founded:................................................................................1890 Enrollment:...........................................................................4,582 Nickname:.................................................................Lady Tigers School Colors:.............................Burnt Orange and Reflex Blue Facility:..............................................Wilcox-Wiley Gymnasium Capacity:.................................................................................600 National Affiliation:.........................................NCAA Division I Conference:..................................Mid-Eastern Athletic (MEAC) President:.......................................Dr. Cheryl Davenport Dozier Alma Mater:...............................Fairleigh Dickenson University Athletics Director:.........................................Sterling Steward Jr. Alma Mater:...................University of Southern Mississippi ‘93 Athletic Office Phone:............................................912-358-3449 Athletic Office Fax:...............................................912-353-5287
Coaching Staff Head Coach:........................................................Jolanta Graham Alma Mater:..............................University of Lodz (Poland) ‘02 Career Record (Years):.................................1-47 (Third Season) Record at Savannah State (Years):.......................................Same MEAC Record (Years):...................................................1-19 (2) MEAC Tournament (Years):..............................................0-0 (2) Volleyball Office Phone:......................................(912) 358-3072 Volleyball Fax:.....................................................(912) 353-5287 Best Time To Reach Coach:......................................Contact SID
Media Relations Asst. Athletics Director for Media Relations:......Opio Mashariki Asst. Media Relations:........Joshua Peacock (Volleyball Contact) Media Relations Email:[email protected] Media Relations Office Phone:..............................(912) 358-3448 Media Relations Office Fax:...................................(912) 353-5287
2013 Overall Record:............................................................1-29 2013 Record on the Road:....................................................0-14 2013 Record at Home:............................................................1-7 2013 Record at Neutral:..........................................................0-8 2013 MEAC Record:...............................................................1-9 Letterman Returning/Lost:......................................................6/5 Starters Returning/Lost:..........................................................4/2 Newcomers:................................................................................9
2014 Starters Returning Player Justice Dilworth Christian Lyle Alexis Washington Caitlynn Masoe
2014 Newcomers Player Lynae Bryant Elexius Harris Autumn Session Zariya Thomas Olivia Wasdon Zakiya Barnes Miyah Davis Vanessa Foster Kayla Glover
Pos. S OH/MH MH OH/RS DS/L DS OH/RH OH/RH OH
Yr. Jr. Jr. So. So. Ht. 5-8 5-9 6-0 5-11 5-8 5-6 5-7 5-6 5-9
Kills 141 141 1 52
Digs 60 26 216 142
Blocks 20 45 0 22
Hometown Murrieta, Calif. Mansfield, Ohio Baltimore, Md. Durham, N.C. Conyers, Ga. Wichita, Kan. Stockbridge, Ga. Simi Valley, Calif. Rockledge, Fla.
History First Season:..........................................................................1985 All-Time Record (Since 1994):.........................................64-415 First Year of NCAA D-I Play:..............................................2002 All-Time NCAA D-I Record (2002):................................40-306 NCAAAppearances:...................................................................0 First Year of MEAC Play:....................................................2011 All-Time MEAC Record:......................................................1-29 MEAC Tournament Appearances...............................................0
Online
Sports Medicine Asst. Athletic Trainer (Volleyball):..................Rebekkah Gatson Athletic Trainer Phone:.......................................(912) 358-3455 Head Athletic Trainer:..................................................Clint Brif
w w w. s s u at hl e t i c s . c o m
Pos. OH MB L S
Athletics Website:…………….................www.ssuathletics.com Athletics Twitter:...……………...........…...........@savstatetigers Athletics Facebook:..…............www.facebook.com/ssuathletics Athletics Youtube:.......................www.youtube.com/ssuathletics Conference Website (MEAC):..................www.meacsports.com
#HailSSU
Page 1
2 0 1 4 S ava n n a h S tat e V o l l e y b a l l
Outlook
Savannah State women’s volleyball begins a new era
T
he Savannah State women’s volleyball program enters its 29th year in 2014 with a new head coach and a fresh approach. During the off season, interim head coach Jolanta Graham was named the sixth head coach in the Division I era of the Savannah State women’s volleyball program. Graham took over duties as the interim head coach midway through the 2012 season. During her two years as interim head coach, Graham slowly began to build a stronger program. She culminated her progress with the program’s first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win in the final game of the 2013 season. The 3-1 win over North Carolina Central on November 10, 2013 broke a 91-match losing streak for the program that dated back to 2010. Graham’s new approach to the program will build on an academics first mentality. In the 2014 spring semester, the volleyball team had the second highest GPA of all the Savannah State sports. On the court, the team will be young in the final year of the programs third decade. They return six of last year’s 11-person squad. During the off-season, Graham added four new recruits and five
walk-ons. They will stage the 2014 season with a 15-person team that is comprised of four freshman, four sophomores, five juniors, a graduate student and only one senior. The junior class will be the key to success for the Lady Tigers. SSU’s top two returners, juniors Justice Dilworth (outside hitter) and Christian Lyle (middle blocker) will anchor the Lady Tigers. Dilworth and Lyle led the team in total kills with 141 each. Dilworth led in total kills per game (1.68), and attack percentage (.045). She was second on the team in total points with 171 (2.04 per game). Both set a single-game career-high record in kills (11 each) in the Lady Tigers’ lone win last year against North Carolina Central. Lyle’s role on the team has not only earned her a starting position, but a scholarship as well. After walking on in 2012, she became a staple of the rising Lady Tiger squad. She broke all of her career records in her sophomore season, leading the team in total blocks (45),
w w w. s s u at hl e t i c s . c o m
#HailSSU
and points (184). Sophomore’s Alexis Washington (libero), and Caitlynn Masoe (setter) will most likely resume their starting roles for Savannah State. Washington led the team in digs (216), averaging 2.81 per game. Washington set a career-high record of 17 digs in a game against Providence, and nudged herself into the Savannah State record books with the fifth highest digs (216) in a single season, and the fourth highest amount of digs (17) in a three game match. Masoe played in all 92 games, and led the team in assists (496). She edged into the record book with the fourth highest assists – a career high 40 - in a single four game match. Masoe ended the season with 52 kills, a .183 hitting percentage, 142 digs (1.54 avg.), and 22 total blocks. Also returning for SSU is middle hitter Gabrielle Nathaniel, who was a pivotal part of the squad early last year, until an injury sidelined her for the majority of the season. The Lady Tigers are scheduled to play 31 games this season with 13 home games, and 18 Continued on the next page Page 2
2 0 1 4 S ava n n a h S tat e V o l l e y b a l l
Outlook
Continued from the previous page: road games. In the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) portion of the schedule, SSU will play 10 matches against Southern Division teams. Savannah State will open the season with a single-day, triad match at home with Brewton-Parker and Fort Valley State visiting. They continue the early portion of the season with three straight tournaments. SSU will play Southern Utah, Maryland Eastern Shore, and the University of California Riverside at the Southern Utah Tournament in Cedar City, Utah in early September. In mid-September, they will play in the Alabama State Tournament, in Montgomery, before returning home for the SSU Tournament
w w w. s s u at hl e t i c s . c o m
in late September. The Lady Tigers will host Alcorn State, Alabama A&M, and Touglaoo College in the two-day Savannah State Tournament. SSU opens MEAC play on the road against Florida A&M on September 26, and Bethune-Cookman on September 28. They will play a total of five home MEAC games, before closing out the season on the road against North Carolina A&T State, and North Carolina Central in early November. After the team broke the longest losing drought in the program’s history, a shift in mentality has laid in. The 2014 season could prove to be one of the most successful in the Division I era. #HailSSU
Page 3
2 0 1 4 S ava n n a h S tat e V o l l e y b a l l
Head Coach
Jolanta Graham
w w w. s s u at hl e t i c s . c o m
#HailSSU
E
Full Name: Jolanta Graham Birth Date: May 20, 1978 Hometown: Lodz, Poland Family: Steven Graham (husband) Education: Master of Physical Education, University of Lodz (2002).
Savannah State University, Interim Head Coach (2012-2014).
N
COACHING EXPERIENCE Savannah State University, Head Coach (2014-Present)
A
University of Lodz, 1997-2002
C
PLAYING EXPERIENCE Poland Professional Volleyball League, 2002-2006
Hilton Head Volleyball Club, Head Coach 12-18 year olds (2010-2012).
L
Preparatory High School and as head coach of the junior varsity team at Hilton Head High School from 2009 to 2011. In 2006-2007, she served as an advisor to coaches on player’s developmental progress for the Low Country Volleyball Club. As a professional volleyball player, Graham competed with the Poland Professional Volleyball League in her native Poland from 2002-2006 as a setter. Graham played with the University of Lodz Volleyball squad from 1997 to 2002, which won silver and brown medals in the Polish indoor volleyball intercollegiate championship, and bronze medal in beach volleyball. In the European intercollegiate championship, Graham’s University team took second place. Graham earned a Master of Physical Education from the University of Lodz in Poland in 2002. She has studied Business Management at the Technical College of the Low Country, and International English at Georgia Southern University. She resides in Hilton Head, South Carolina with her husband Steven Graham.
Georgia Southern, Volunteer Assistant Coach (2008)
G
Jolanta Graham enters her first year as the head coach for Savannah State women’s volleyball. Graham took over duties as the interim head coach midway through the 2012 season. She was named the sixth Division I head coach for SSU in early 2014. During her two years as interim head coach, Graham slowly began to build a stronger program. She culminated her progress with the program’s first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win in the final game of the 2013 season. The 3-1 win over North Carolina Central broke a 91-match losing streak for the program that dated back to 2010. The Lodz, Poland native, comes to Savannah State from the Hilton Head Volleyball Club, where she served as a co-founder, developmental director for coaches and players, and a coach for 12-18 year olds, since 2010. Prior to Hilton Head, she also served as a volunteer assistant for the Georgia Southern Women’s Volleyball squad and Men’s Volleyball Club Team. In 2007, Graham served as a varsity assistant at the Hilton Head
Hilton Head Preparatory High School, Assistant Coach. (2007) Hilton Head High School, Head Coach Junior Varsity (2009-2011).
Page 4
2 0 1 4 S ava n n a h S tat e V o l l e y b a l l
Schedule Date Opponent Location Time AUG. 30 BREWTON-PARKER UNIVERSITY SAVANNAH, GA. 10 a.m. Aug. 30 Brewton-Parker vs. Fort Valley State Savannah, Ga. 12:30 p.m. AUG. 30 FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SAVANNAH, GA. 3 p.m. Southern Utah University Tournament Cedar City, Utah Sept. 5 Southern Utah University Cedar City, Utah 10 a.m. Sept. 5 Maryland Eastern Shore Cedar City, Utah 4 p.m. Sept. 6 University of California Riverside Cedar City, Utah 10:30 a.m. Alabama State University Tournament Montgomery, Ala. Sept. 11 The Citadel Montgomery, Ala. 1:30 p.m. Sept. 11 Alabama State University Montgomery, Ala. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 Southeast Missouri State Montgomery, Ala. 11 a.m. Sept. 12 Towson University Montgomery, Ala. 5 p.m. Savannah State Tournament Savannah, Ga. Sept. 19 Alcorn State vs. Alabama A&M Savannah, Ga. 1 p.m. SEPT. 19 TOUGALOO COLLEGE SAVANNAH, GA. 3:30 p.m. SEPT. 19 ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. Sept. 20 Alabama A&M vs. Tougaloo College Savannah, Ga. 11 a.m. Sept. 20 Tougaloo College vs. Alcorn State University Savannah, Ga. 1:30 p.m. SEPT. 20 ALABAMA A&M SAVANNAH, GA. 4 p.m. Sept. 23 Charleston Southern University Charleston, S.C. 7 p.m. Sept. 26 Florida A&M University* Tallahassee, Fla. 7 p.m. Sept. 28 Bethune-Cookman University* Daytona Beach, Fla. 1 p.m. SEPT. 30 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIV. SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. OCT. 3 S.C. STATE UNIVERSITY* SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. Oct. 5 Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Ga. 6 p.m. Oct. 7 The Citadel Charleston, S.C. 6 p.m. OCT. 10 N.C. CENTRAL UNIVERSITY* SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. OCT. 12 N.C. A&T STATE UNIVERSITY* SAVANNAH, GA. 1 p.m. Oct. 15 Mercer University Macon, Ga. 6 p.m. Oct. 21 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Ga. 6 p.m. OCT. 24 BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY* SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. OCT. 26 FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY* SAVANNAH, GA. 1 p.m. OCT. 28 THE CITADEL SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. OCT. 29 MERCER UNIVERSITY< SAVANNAH, GA. 6 p.m. Oct. 31 Brewton-Parker College Mount Vernon, Ga. 7 p.m. Nov. 2 S.C. State University* Orangeburg, S.C. 2 p.m. Nov. 7 N.C. A&T State University* Greensboro, N.C. 7 p.m. Nov. 9 N.C. Central University* Durham, N.C. 1 p.m. Nov. 14-16 MEAC Championship TBA TBA * Denotes MEAC match | Home Matches in BOLD CAPS | < Senior Day Non-SSU Games on SSU court in Bold Italicize
w w w. s s u at hl e t i c s . c o m
#HailSSU
Page 5
2 0 1 4 S ava n n a h S tat e V o l l e y b a l l
Roster No. Name Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown/Previous School 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16
Elexius Harris Zariya Thomas Gabrielle Nathaniel Alexis Washington Justice Dilworth Vanessa Foster Caitlynn Masoe Miyah Davis Kayla Glover Chantia Taylor Olivia Wasdon Zakiya Barnes Autumn Session Christian Lyle Lynae Bryant
OH/MH OH/RS MH L OH OH/RH S OH/RH OH MH DS/L DS MH MB S
5-9 5-11 5-9 5-4 5-9 5-6 5-9 5-7 5-9 5-8 5-8 5-6 6-0 5-11 5-8
Fr. Fr. So. So. Jr. So. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Gr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Fr.
Mansfield, Ohio / Mansfield Senior HS Durham, N.C. / Riverside HS Ontario, Canada / Notre Dame Catholic Chino, Ca. / Chino Hills HS Kingsland, Ga. / Camden County HS Simi Valley, Calif. / Bishop Alemany HS Long Beach, Ca. / Long Beach Millikan HS Stockbridge, Ga. / Woodland HS Rockledge, Fla. / Paine College Alachua, Fla. / Buchholz HS Conyers, Ga. / Georgia Tech Wichita, Kan. / Wichita HS East Baltimore, Md. / Riverwood Inter. Charter Savannah, Ga. / Savannah Arts Academy Murrieta, Calif. / Vista Murrieta HS
Pronunciation Guide:
Caitlynn Masoe: Kate-Lynn Muh-Soy
w w w. s s u at hl e t i c s . c o m
#HailSSU
Jolanta Graham: Yo-Lah-N-Ta
Page 6
