LARAMIE, Wyo. (August 21, 2019) – The middle blocker has historically been one of Wyoming's strong points. In fact, the Cowgirls have had at least one middle blocker on the all-Mountain West team for eight-consecutive seasons, including junior Jackie McBride in each of the last two.
 
While UW brings McBride back from an all-conference season, it loses Reed Copeland, one of the most productive two-way players in Cowgirl history. Replacing her will not fall on one person, as Cowgirl head coach Chad Callihan believes the team's depth will play a big role this season. Junior Faith Waitsman and redshirt freshman Carlie Fikse will look to make an impact on the court this year.
 
"The biggest thing is consistency," Callihan said. "We don't need to necessarily replace all the production Reed gave us with one players. I think we're a little more well-rounded as a team this year, so as far as point production, we can absorb that in different areas. It's consistency and being a presence at the net. Both Carlie and Faith are 6-2 or longer. They can both cause some disruptions for our opponents, but we want to see that on a night-in, night-out basis."
 
During the first week of practice, McBride likes what she has seen from her fellow middle blockers, especially the different skill sets they bring to the table.
 
"Obviously, we have some pretty big shoes to fill with Reed (Copeland) graduating, but I've been really impressed with Carlie and Faith with how they've stepped up," McBride said. "They're always locked in and ready to learn and take the constructive criticism that myself and the coaches are willing to give them. I've been able to learn a ton from them. It's nice because they are both really strong on the defensive side of the middle blocker duties, and personally, I think I excel on the offensive side. It's been fun to throw those skills back and forth and grow from each other. I'm just really excited for both of them."
 
Last season, Waitsman played in 23 matches for the Cowgirls, scoring 97 kills and collecting career-highs in blocks (55) and digs (20). She posted single-game career bests of 10 kills twice last season, and terrorized the nets against Utah State, collecting seven blocks. Fikse redshirted last season following a high school campaign at Harrisburg High School in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
McBride earned a pair of MW offensive Player of the Week honors last year, and started all 31 matches for Wyoming. She totaled 235 kills on an impressive .306 hitting percentage (235-73-530) and collected 131 blocks at the net. She routinely shows up in the big matches, including notching 14 kills to help UW upset No. 15 Colorado last season.
 
"Jackie is a wonderful athlete, and bigger than that, she's an intense competitor, which I really appreciate." Callihan said. "She had been out for a little bit last week with an injury, but that allowed Carlie and Faith to get a few more reps, which they need. Hopefully that gets them feeling up to speed and confident with what we're doing on the court. Both of them have the ability to score and block for us. I think it's more just building confidence and feeling as though they fit."
 
McBride's outstanding 2018 season also included her first career double-double, a 10 kill, 14 block performance against New Mexico on the road. She's also a threat from the service line, as she put down three aces against Iowa. McBride knows the importance of competition among teammates, and sees that being a strength with this middle blocker group.
 
"I think throughout the season, it's going to be a close race between the three of us," McBride said. "I don't think it will be two starting middles, it'll be all three of us contributing to the team, which is not a bad thing. It creates a really competitive and important environment that we haven't had in the past, and I'm really excited for that."
 
Cowgirl fans will get their first look at the outside hitters and the rest of the 2019 team at the Brown & Gold Scrimmage on Friday, August 23, in the UniWyo Sports Complex at 6:30 p.m. (MT). Then, on Saturday, August 24, the Cowgirls will face Nebraska-Kearney in an exhibition match at Cheyenne East High School at 6:30 p.m.
 
Season tickets are available for Cowgirl volleyball, starting at $65 for public general admission and $35 for children between the ages of 3-12. Single-match tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for children. Fans can contact the Wyoming ticket office at (307) 7660-7220 or by visiting the ticket office in the Arena-Auditorium Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.