We continue our 2019 position previews with our defensive specialists!

COMING BACK

A pair of talented and very efficient defensive standouts will be back for a Sugar Bears squad that averaged 14.6 digs per set a season ago. Rising junior Emily Doss ranked third in the Southland Conference in 2018 with 513 digs and has served as the primary libero for UCA the past two seasons. A Southland Conference Honorable Mention selection a season ago, Doss will lock down the back row for a Sugar Bears squad that has tallied 27 conference victories since her arrival in Conway.

One of the key rotational defensive specialists for the Sugar Bears will be senior Rayna Jefferis. Ranking third on the squad last year with 238 digs (2.09 per set), Jefferis is one of the most reliable defenders in the Southland Conference and one that head coach Jeni Jones Chatman and her staff will call upon regularly. However, her contributions range far beyond just defense. Jefferis is a weapon in the service game and is a constant threat to put up points behind the line for Central Arkansas.

COMING IN NEW

Freshman Hannah Crawford will see time in the defensive rotation for the Sugar Bears. Crawford, a native of League City, Texas by way of Clear Springs High School, notched 276 digs (4.1 per set) for the Wildcats during her senior campaign. Crawford's grit and intensity will be a valuable piece to the UCA defensive unit.

QUOTES FROM ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH JOHN NEWBERRY

Emily Doss:

"Emily has spent the majority of her career as the starting libero and she will bring a lot of experience and confidence to our back row defense."

Rayna Jefferis:

"Rayna has played an integral part of our defensive success the last few seasons. She played a huge role for us in the NCAA Tournament against USC."

Hannah Crawford:

"Hannah holds nothing back and will bring a very strong level of focus and intensity to our team."

UP NEXT

Next week, we will take a look at our blockers as we set the defense for the 2019 season!