The Angelo State volleyball team is coming off a Lone Star Conference Championship and a NCAA Division II South Central Championship Finals appearance in 2012. The Belles return nine players and welcome in five newcomers. ASU begins preseason practice on Monday and will open its season at home on Friday, Sept. 6 against Dallas Baptist and Colorado State-Pueblo.

Below is an inside look into the off-the-court personality of each of the Belles leading into the 2013 season.


Courtney Bartusiak  //  Freshman  //  Middle Blocker  //  Centennial, Colorado
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season: Make it to the Elite Eight!!
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of: Making it to state my first year of high jump.
Why choosing to play at Angelo State was a great decision:  All the girls are welcoming and sweet and the community is so great because they support the school and athletics.
What do you enjoy most about playing in the Junell Center: I love playing in such a huge facility so there is more room for fans to support and cheer us on.
Teammate I wouldn't want to try and dig in a match: Maddie Huth because I hear her slides are scary!
Funniest teammate and why: Kailyn and Kaelen, because they are very outgoing and spontaneous.
Most serious teammate and why:  No one is too serious because everyone is joking around with each other.
Dream concert: Jason Mraz
Dream vacation: Cabo San Lucas
Dream career: Lawyer
Special talent I have that people don't know about me: I am a pro at snowboarding moguls.
Favorite memory on a volleyball court: Going to state my senior year of high school.
 
 
Haley Bianco  //  Sophomore  //  Defensive Specialist  //  Austin, Texas
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season:  Win conference, and the national championship!
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of: Getting to such a great school with such an amazing volleyball program
Why choosing to play at Angelo State was a great decision:  Because we win.
What do you enjoy most about playing in the Junell Center: It's huge and really gives off a collegiate feel.
Teammate I wouldn't want to try and dig in a match: Maddie Huth.   
Funniest teammate and why: Leah, because she makes me laugh.
Most serious teammate and why:  Maddie Huth
Dream concert: Beyoncé
Dream vacation: Hawaii
Dream career: Dietitian for a professional sports team.
Favorite memory on a volleyball court: Beating WT.
 
 
Arielle Bond  //  Sophomore  //  Outside Hitter  //  El Paso, Texas
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season: Maintain the title as conference champs, advance to regionals, and then on to nationals.
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of: Achieving a scholarship to play volleyball at Angelo State.
Why choosing to play at Angelo State was a great decision:  I couldn't have asked for teammates that are more genuinely kind, caring, and are amazing players.
What do you enjoy most about playing in the Junell Center: Our outstanding fans that are so supportive and energetic.
Teammate I wouldn't want to try and dig in a match: Maddie Huth
Funniest teammate and why: Haley Bianco because she's always making outrageous comments.
Most serious teammate and why: Shelby Wilt because she's extremely focused in on the court.
Dream concert: Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, and Luke Bryan
Dream vacation: Anywhere tropical
Dream career: I don't know.
Special talent I have that people don't know about me: I used to be a swimmer.
Favorite memory on a volleyball court: Beating WT on our home court.
 
 
Klohe Harrion  //  Freshman  //  Middle Blocker  //  Chandler, Arizona
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season:  To be the LSC champions and go far in the NCAA tournament.
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of: Probably being able to play college volleyball.
Why choosing to play at Angelo State was a great decision:  The team and coaches are all amazing and ASU has a nice and friendly community of people.
What do you enjoy most about playing in the Junell Center: It's a nice facility and I love the atmosphere.
Teammate I wouldn't want to try and dig in a match: Maddie Huth
Funniest teammate and why: They're all pretty funny, but I'll say Haley and Kaelen because they're both outgoing and sarcastic.
Most serious teammate and why:  I honestly have no idea….
Dream concert: It's a tie between Beyonce and Justin Timberlake.
Dream vacation: A tour of Europe. Especially Spain, France, and Italy.
Dream career: Something that lets me continue to be involved in volleyball
Special talent I have that people don't know about me: I'm pretty good at Sudoku puzzles if that counts…
Favorite memory on a volleyball court: The last game of my last club season my team finally beat a team that we had been battling all year and it was a great way to end the season.
 
 
Zoey Hanrahan  //  Freshman  //  Middle Blocker  //  Pflugerville, Texas
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season:  To work hard and contribute all I can to my team. To win our conference and show what the Belles are made of!
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of: Playing volleyball in college is a huge. accomplishment for me. I have been playing volleyball since I was in 3^rd grade and making it to this level feels great.
Why choosing to play at Angelo State was a great decision:  Coach Waddington is a great coach with great ideas that will take us far. Also the girls were very inviting and welcoming. I wanted to contribute to this great program.
What do you enjoy most about playing in the Junell Center: I haven't had the chance to yet but even practicing in the Junell Center is an amazing feeling.  I can't wait to play with a full house supporting us!
Dream concert: I would have loved to see The Beatles play. They are definitely my favorite band!
Dream vacation: I've always wanted to go to Greece or Australia! So it's a tie!
Dream career: To be the person who puts songs in movies. I would love it.
Special talent I have that people don't know about me: I think I can sing but the only one who knows it is my shower head.
Favorite memory on a volleyball court: When I scored the winning kill against Westwood High School that put us in first place in our district. The team and the crowd went wild!
 
 
Maddie Huth  //  Senior  //  Middle Blocker  //  The Colony, Texas
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season: Defend our title as Lone Star Conference Champions and make it to the Elite Eight as a mentally and physically complete team.
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of: Being named a First-Team All-American for the 2012 season while maintaining a 4.0 semester.
Why choosing to play at Angelo State was a great decision: The atmosphere at ASU is incredible. The support from the community, students, professors, and other athletes is strong and humbling. I have been very blessed to have such a great opportunity at Angelo and I will be forever grateful for this experience.
What do you enjoy most about playing in the Junell Center: Have you seen the JC?? By far the best gym you'll see in DII and even most of DI! But what I enjoy most about the Junell Center is that our fans can pack that gym and seriously intimidate the opposing teams, we have unbelievable support!
Teammate I wouldn't want to try and dig in a match: I think many people would enjoy seeing me dig in the first place, but I definitely would avoid Alaska (Leah) at all costs.
Funniest teammate and why: Kaelen Valdez FOR SURE. Living with that girl has definitely been interesting to say the least.
Most serious teammate and why: Katie Mac!
Dream concert: Dave Matthews Band
Dream vacation: New Zealand
Dream career: Sport Psychologist for the Dallas Mavericks
Special talent I have that people don't know about me: I can peel some crawfish like a champ, that's a talent.. right?
Favorite memory on a volleyball court: So many but beating WT on our home court to secure our place as Lone Star Champions is the top! Just seeing pictures or videos of the game and our fans gives me goose bumps.
 
 
Maggi Jo Keffury  //  Junior  //  Setter  //  Arroyo, California
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season: LSC champs
Accomplishment I'm most proud of: Working hard enough to play a collegiate sport.
Why choosing ASU was a great decision: The people and support I'm going to be surrounded by will provide a great environment for me these next two years.
What I enjoy most about the Junell Center: The size and attendance.
Teammate I wouldn't want to dig: Maddie Huth
Funniest teammate: Katie Mac because she's so free and doesn't care what other people think.
Dream vacation: Greece
Dream career: Fashion/Interior design
Favorite TV Show: Friends
Special talent: Drawing, Art
Fun fact that people wouldn't know about me: I love the 80's (music, time period, etc.)
Favorite memory on a volleyball court: Setting the right ball to a teammate for the game winning kill against San Jose State. (Fall of 2012 at New Mexico State).
 
 
Katie MacLeay  //  Sophomore  //  Defensive Specialist  //  San Antonio, Texas
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season:  To host regionals, get another conference championship ring and win a national championship!
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of: Being a student athlete and graduating top 3 in my high school class of over 600.
Why choosing to play at Angelo State was a great decision:  The RamFam is the best and we win championships!
What do you enjoy most about playing in the Junell Center: It is so nice and feels like a Division I facility.
Teammate I wouldn't want to try and dig in a match: Maddie
Funniest teammate and why: Shelby Wilt… you would understand if you lived with her too.
Most serious teammate and why:  No one is serious haha.
Dream concert: Chris Tomlin
Dream vacation: Going to Mexico on a Disney Cruise
Dream career: Being a professional sport's team doctor and surgeon.
Special talent I have that people don't know about me: I can twerk.
Favorite memory on a volleyball court: Beating WT on our home court.
 
Leah McWilliams  //  Senior  //  Outside Hitter  //  Marfa, Texas
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season: Our goal is to always be better, and I think that is what the whole team wants. But, us being better would also be proving a lot of people wrong. So, I think that's what we want to do prove ourselves to any doubters out there.
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of: As of now, probably playing volleyball. It's something I've wanted to do since a young age. I always wanted it to be a big part of my life and I've done that and devoted a large amount of my time to it.  It's crazy to think the volleyball chapter in my life will be closing soon but I couldn't be happier with everything it's done for me and helped me through and led me to. 
Why choosing to play at Angelo State was a great decision:  Angelo itself has been great for me. Coming here when I did helped me not just in the realm of volleyball but also in school and in life in general. It's just a really great atmosphere to be in.  
What do you enjoy most about playing in the Junell Center: I love that it shows a huge photo of myself (since I LOVE huge photos of myself) on the jumbo screen……..
Teammate I wouldn't want to try and dig in a match:  Probably Haley, she has such a good swing and as a defender she's really kind of not supposed to.  She could make you look like an idiot.
Funniest teammate and why:  I feel like me and Cerbi have a pretty similar sense of humor, she says a lot  of subtle things that make me laugh.
Most serious teammate and why:  I'm not really positive that exists.  Maddie can be pretty serious on the court I guess.
Dream concert:  I've always wanted to see Bob Dylan live.
Dream vacation: There is a lot of traveling I want to do but I guess for a more vacationish answer I would go with Greece.
Dream career: Freelance Designer.
Special talent I have that people don't know about me: The reason people don't know is because I don't tell them.
Favorite memory on a volleyball court: My first colligate kill was off my sister in an alumni match. She shanked the ball I hit.  It was a pretty cool moment for both of us and also funny.  She is nine years older than me so the fact that we got to play against each other in general was pretty awesome.
 
 
Whitney Nunez  //  Freshman  //  Setter  //  Georgetown, Texas
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season:  We want to win it all! Last year we were ranked 10^th in the Nation, but this year we want and expect to even be better.
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of:  2011 MVP of Fraulein Fest Tournament and helping to take my high school team to the Regionals for State Playoffs in 2011.
Why choosing to play at Angelo State was a great decision:   Great team, great coaching, great school and we are the best!  It feels like a family here.
What do you enjoy most about playing in the Junell Center:  I love how packed it gets on home game nights.  Our fans are wonderful and so supportive!
Teammate I wouldn't want to try and dig in a match: Maddie Huth
Funniest teammate and why:  Haley Bianco always brings jokes and is always laughing and in a good mood.
Most serious teammate and why:  Katie MacLeay she is very focus and very competitive.
Dream concert:  Rhianna
Dream vacation:  Jamaica
Dream career:  Sports Broadcasting
Special talent I have that people don't know about me:  I am really good at doing other's hair and makeup.
Favorite memory on a volleyball court: My high school team my Senior year beat the #1 team in the state, College Park in the playoffs to advance to the semi regionals.
 
 
Cerbi Ritchey  //  Redshirt Freshman  //  Defensive Specialist  //  Big Spring, Texas
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season: Being conference champs for the second year in a row, hosting the Regional tournament, and going on to the Elite Eight!
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of: Being a Belle volleyball player, duh!
Why choosing to play at Angelo State was a great decision:  This was the best decision I've ever made! I play under a great coaching staff with an awesome group of girls that constantly want to improve and win. What more could you want?
What do you enjoy most about playing in the Junell Center: I was a redshirt last year so I can't completely answer this, but I was a part of the environment and it was incredible! Our fans are awesome. They pack the Junell and I love the support and energy that they give us.
Teammate I wouldn't want to try and dig in a match: Maddie Huth!
Funniest teammate and why: Leah McWilliams. She is really witty and can always make you laugh!
Most serious teammate and why:  Kailyn Troxell. She is all about getting the job done!
Dream concert: Third Eye Blind
Dream vacation: I'd like to go somewhere like Greece with my family.
Dream career: Coaching volleyball and teaching math.
Special talent I have that people don't know about me: I have a creative, crafty side to me that most people don't know about!
Favorite memory on a volleyball court: My freshman year at Angelo at the beginning of our season, Leah hit a ball at me during practice so hard that it hit my knee and popped straight up before I even knew what happened! I still get teased about that sometimes…
 
 
Kailyn Troxell  //  Sophomore  //  Outside Hitter  //  Pampa, Texas
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season:  One major goal for the 2013 season is to go farther in the post-season than last year.  I want us to be able to host the Conference Tournament as well as the Regional Tournament and then go to the Elite Eight. 
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of: I am very proud of my grades and the hard work I put into my academics.
Why choosing to play at Angelo State was a great decision: I could not have chosen a better school or program to continue my volleyball career.  The team is like my second family and I can honestly say these girls are my best friends.   We get so much support from the school, especially all the other ASU athletes.  The program focuses on helping us be the best student-athletes by emphasizing the importance of our academics and volleyball.
What do you enjoy most about playing in the Junell Center: My favorite part about playing in the Junell Center is when we have a big student section.  It is awesome to have student support right behind us during all of our matches.
Teammate I wouldn't want to try and dig in a match: Maddie Huth
Funniest teammate and why: Katie MacLeay because she likes to show off her dance moves.
Most serious teammate and why: I really don't think anyone on our team is very serious.
Dream concert: Taylor Swift and George Strait
Dream vacation:  Australia
Dream career: Neo-Natal Nurse
Special talent I have that people don't know about me:  It may not be very secretive, but I can wakeboard.
Favorite memory on a volleyball court: My senior year of high school we were the first undefeated District Champions in Pampa's volleyball program history.
 
 
Kaelen Valdez  //  Senior  //  Outside Hitter  //  Helotes, Texas
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season: My expectations for this season are very high. We know how it feels to compete at a high level and we have a great coaching staff to help push us in the direction we need to be to win another championship.
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of:  Winning the conference last year is definitely a huge accomplishment and something I will never forget.
Why choosing to play at Angelo State was a great decision:   Choosing ASU was a great decision because the volleyball program is growing into something amazing and the town support it tremendous. Being away from home was easy because of the comfort our team and the support we get from our ram fam.
What do you enjoy most about playing in the Junell Center:  The Junell Center is so much fun to play in it is a blessing that we are so lucky to play in this amazing facility.
Teammate I wouldn't want to try and dig in a match: Clearly whenever THE Madison Huth hits we all run and hide.
Funniest teammate and why:  Maddie is probably the funniest person on our team she always makes an awkward moment funny
Most serious teammate and why:  I can't choose a most serious teammate because we are all serious when it becomes game time.
Dream concert:  Dream concert ummm right now would be Luke Bryan
Dream career:  Dream career would be a trophy wife but in reality I want to be a high school volleyball coach.
Favorite memory would be playing against WT at our place in front of all those people it was such a fun game.
 
 
Shelby Wilt  //  Junior  //  Libero  //  Dalhart, Texas
 
Expectations and goals for the 2013 season: End our season with a win.
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of: Being a part of the team that has gone the furthest in ASU volleyball history.
Why choosing to play at Angelo State was a great decision: God has blessed me with many life-long friends and the support system we have here is unreal. I love my RamFam!
What do you enjoy most about playing in the Junell Center: The energy that the crowd brings makes every game a blast!
Teammate I wouldn't want to try and dig in a match: Madeline Huth
Funniest teammate and why: Kaelen Valdez because you never know what will come out of her mouth!
Most serious teammate and why: Leah Alaska because she is Indian.
Dream concert: Hillsong United
Dream vacation: Fiji
Dream career: Stay at home mom.
Special talent I have that people don't know about me: I'm a cat whisperer.
Favorite memory on a volleyball court: Beating WT on our home court during conference.