Aug. 13, 2008

Pocatello, ID--Idaho State returned to the court Tuesday morning for its first day of practice in the 2008 season with a new head coach. Hiring a new head coach typically signals a fresh start for a team and alters the attitude of the entire program. New Idaho State volleyball coach Chad Teichert, one of the top volleyball clinicians in the nation and one of the nation's winningest high school coaches, plans to bring his previous success with him to the 2008 Bengal squad.

"I have been fortunate to work with good people and many good athletes. We expected good things to happen, and they did," said Teichert. "I appreciate being at Idaho State, and once again, I expect good things to happen!"

Teichert brings to Idaho State over 25 years of coaching experience, both on the high school and club level, and he is one of the nation's top volleyball clinicians. Teichert has send sent several athletes to Division I programs around the country and was an assistant coach with the National Junior Olympic Team, coaching several eventual college All-Americans and Olympians.

The new coaching staff also includes assistant coach Dave Hyte who gained coaching experience when he was a volunteer assistant coach at Brigham Young University. Hyte focused primarily on middle blockers and team blocking at Brigham Young to help the team reach second in the Mountain West Conference in team blocks and first in hitting percentage. The coaching staff will be rounded-off with former Bengal Katie Edgson who will be guiding the defensive players as a graduate assistant coach. Edgson competed for Idaho State from 2004-07 and was the 10th Bengal to reach 1,000 career digs.

The coaching staff will work with a team that came off a 6-23 overall record and 2-14 Big Sky Conference record finishing eighth in conference. When asked about the 2008 Bengal squad Teichert replied, "I've got some pretty good kids. They work hard at volleyball."

Idaho State returns nine players, including three starters from the 2007 season. Two seniors will roam the court at Idaho state including Blakely Peppinger, a starter for the Bengals in 2007, and redshirt senior Brenda Cooper.

Peppinger is a setter and defense specialist for the Bengals. She competed in 104 games last season and recorded 322 assists, the second most on the team. Peppinger recorded a personal match high of 35 assists against Montana.

"She tries real hard," said Teichert about senior Peppinger. "She connects well with the hitter on her back sets." Peppinger should be a formidable force for Idaho State.

Redshirt senior Brenda Cooper returns to the court

Outside hitter, Cooper posted 17 kills and maintained a .056 attack percentage through the 2007 season. Cooper recorded 15 digs and six assists including nine block assists. "She's a smart hitter," said head coach Teichert about Cooper. "She finds the ball well and makes solid hits." Pivotal non-senior returners, and 2007 starters, include junior Emily Waldron and sophomore Sarah Carson.

Outside hitter Waldron competed in all 29 matches for the Bengals last season. When asked about Waldron head coach Teichert replied, "she brings a leadership by doing and she has a competitive fierceness." Waldron was one of ISU's most aggressive players and was ranked second on the team in kills with 265 and second on the team for digs with 313 at the end of the season. Waldon holds the individual match high for aces with seven against UC Riverside. The junior posted 11 double-doubles last year.

Middle blocker and outside hitter Carson impressed coach Teichert with her passing abilities on the first day of practice. "For a middle she passes well," said Teichert. "She will be effective as a middle and her passes will make a difference for other hitters." Carson recorded 64 digs last season and posted the third most digs on the Bengal team. In addition to her passing abilities, Carson has proved herself as a hitter when she recorded 228 kills last season picking up 10 or more kills in eight matches. Carson recorded the second highest match-high kill of 19 against Boise State. The six-foot middle blocker made 10 solo blocks and 63 block assists her freshman year.

Head coach Teichert welcomes the experience of his pivotal players and greets five newcomers to the team. "They had a tough season last year and to advance they will need to overcome the mental aspects of last season. This year we are going to revive confidence." said Teichert. "In practice we are going to have real hard, focused work. We are going to do a lot of game like scenarios in practice to prepare them for their upcoming matches."

The knowledge and experience acquired from the previous season will certainly be a benefit in leading the 2008 Bengal squad and with new head coach Teichert Idaho State is sure to leave their mark on the court.