THE JUNIOR CLASS colors continue to be black and blue. With the exception of libero Elise Duggins and left-side hitter Jamie Houston, 2008 has been the Year of the DL.

Middle Nickie Thomas went down with a torn ACL during her third start of ‘06; outside hitter Tara Hittle, the conference freshman of the year in 2004, soon followed to the bench due to foot and leg problems. Then right-side hitter Jessica Keefe tore her ACL on the final play of the victory at Louisiana Tech.

The trio was back, stronger and dedicated to making some noise on the court, not from the sidelines. Unfortunately for Thomas, she tore her ACL in the other knee during the first week of practice and is out for this year as well. As of press time, no decision had been made regarding her playing future.

As for the other juniors, the dynamic Houston is a year better and Dug-gins brings a spark to the back row.

Elise Duggins

Libero

MAJOR: Health & Fitness.
FAVORITE SONG: Shake Your Groove Thing.
FAVORITE MOVIE: Space Jam.
FAVORITE BOOK: Harry Potter.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: Scrubs, Reno 911.
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT: Nutrition.
FAVORITE FOOD: Greek.
THREE FAVORITE THINGS: Baby blanket, ocean, food.

Tara Hittle

Left side

MAJOR: Physical education.
FAVORITE SONG: Ha-Y-An by Once Was Rizen.
FAVORITE MOVIE: Love and Basketball.
FAVORITE BOOK: The Bible.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: King of Queens.
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT: Recess.
FAVORITE FOOD: Andy’s sandwiches.
THREE FAVORITE THINGS: My large-print Bible, Thunder (my car), computer.

Jamie Houston

Left side

MAJOR: Sociology.
FAVORITE SONG: Big Things Poppin’.
FAVORITE MOVIE: Belly.
FAVORITE BOOK: The Bible.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: Making the Band 4.
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT: Math.
FAVORITE FOOD: Collard greens.
THREE FAVORITE THINGS: Family, cell phone, iPod.

Jessica Keefe

Right side / Left side

MAJOR: Marketing & management.
FAVORITE SONG: Too many to choose.
FAVORITE MOVIE: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
FAVORITE BOOK: Harry Potter.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: Grey’s Anatomy.
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT: Lunch!
FAVORITE FOOD: Cheese.
THREE FAVORITE THINGS: My computer, TV and bed.

Nickie Thomas*

Middle blocker

MAJOR: Sociology, minor in women’s studies.
FAVORITE MOVIE: Snatch, Fight Club.
FAVORITE BOOK: Harry Potter.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: Family Guy, Futurama.
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT: None.
FAVORITE FOOD: Steak, Barbecue.
THREE FAVORITE THINGS: My family, boyfriend, pets.

* Thomas was injured during preseason workouts. Her status for this season was unavailable as of press time.