August 10, 2012

GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG volleyball head coach Patrick Nicholas has named senior setter Ari Lysacek, redshirt junior outside hitter Olivia Humphries and junior libero Kellie Orewiler tri-captains for the 2012 season.

"These three athletes have been the face of Spartan volleyball over the past couple of years," Nicholas said. "Each of them brings a different positive aspect to the team which will pay dividends for us this season. These ladies are very deserving of this honor."

Lysacek, the lone senior on this year's team, ran the offense to the tune of 795 assists (7.64 per set) last season. She also posted double-figure helpers in all 29 matches she played, including a season-best 51 against Elon. Lysacek produced a pair of double-doubles via kills and assists, tallying 10 kills and 19 assists against East Tennessee State (Aug. 26) and 19 kills and 32 assists against Chattanooga (Oct. 8), in addition to nine double-double efforts where she reached double digits in assists and digs.

"Ari has a terrific work ethic and really pushes everyone on the squad to get better," Nicholas said. "I expect her to be a real floor general for us this year."

Orewiler returns for her junior campaign after earning 2011 Southern Conference Libero of the Year honors. She ranked first in the SoCon in digs per set in league matches, racking up a stellar 5.31 average over 62 frames. Orewiler was also second among league players and 56^th nationally with a 4.91 mark in all matches. The Mansfield, Ohio native posted double-figure digs in 29 of 32 matches and recorded 20 or more digs on 12 occasions. She is currently second on the UNCG career digs per set chart with an average of 4.24.

"I am happy to have Kellie as a captain for the second-straight season," Nicholas stated. "She is goal-oriented and focused and it really shows in the way she approaches the game."

After missing the 2011 campaign due to injury, Humphries has two seasons of eligibility remaining with the Spartans. In 2010, she started in all 34 matches and finished third on the team with 273 kills (2.17 per set). Humphries led the squad with a .293 hitting mark, while also ranking second with 108 total blocks. She recorded a season-best 13 kills in a five-set win at Norfolk State (Aug. 28) to start the year and again in a five-set win over Furman (Nov. 19) in the first round of the SoCon Tournament. Additionally, Humphries tallied a personal-best seven aces in a sweep of cross-town rival North Carolina A&T (Sept. 15).

"It is great to have Olivia back for the upcoming season," Nicholas said. "She is a positive influence on everyone around her and keeps her teammates in a good frame of mind."

Spartan fans will be able to catch their first glimpse of the squad Friday, Aug. 17 when it holds its annual Blue-Gold Scrimmage. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. inside Fleming Gymnasium and admission is free.

Keep up with the UNCG volleyball team all season by logging onto www.uncgspartans.com or following the squad on twitter @UNCGsports and @UNCG_Vball.

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