Aug. 19, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina volleyball team carries a roster of 15 players into the 2008 season, as head coach Ben Somera has added two transfers to go along with his 10 returning letter-winners, two signees and one additional freshman.

Transferring in are middle blocker Tory Anderson and setter Bridget Denson-Dorman. Anderson sat out last season at Florida Gulf Coast, the top team in the Atlantic Sun Conference, as a true freshman and has four years of eligibility remaining. Denson-Dorman comes to Carolina from the University of Connecticut, where she was a two-time second-team All-BIG EAST setter for the Huskies. She will have two years to play for the Gamecocks.

The 10 returning letter-winners include five starters and the starting libero from last year’s squad. Leading the way among that group is sophomore middle blocker Megan Laughlin, who earned a spot on the 2007 Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team. Junior outside hitter Ivana Kujundzic, senior setter Petra Lorenzi, senior middle blocker Belita Salters junior libero Sarah Cline and sophomore outside hitter Hannah Lawing also return from last year’s starting lineup. Also back are senior defensive specialist/libero Dinelia Concepcion, junior outside hitter Meredith Moorhead, sophomore setter Jordan Bradosky and sophomore outside hitter Annie Thomas.

Lindsey Roy joins signees Olivia Ryder and Teresa Stenlund as freshman in 2008. Stenlund earned Orange County (Calif.) Register’s Player of the Year award as a senior, while Ryder was one of the five players to watch for the Detroit Free Press. Roy hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, where she earned the spirit award at Ursuline Academy.

The Gamecocks open their 2008 season at the Arizona State Sheraton Classic against the host Sun Devils on Friday, Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. EDT.