Aug. 27, 2008

WINSTON-SALEM - Graduate student Natalie Mullikin and senior Ashley Homitz were named team captains of the 2008 Wake Forest Volleyball team. The two were selected to be captains by their fellow team members.

Mullikin is a leader both on and off the court. On the court, she has her name all over the Wake Forest record books as she holds the career block solos record with 99 and has the single season record for block solos (49), total blocks (153) and total blocks per set (1.29). She is just 74 total blocks and 89 block assists away from setting the career school records in each category.

Off the court, Mullikin has the respect of her teammates as well as head coach Heather Kahl Holmes.

"This will be Natalie's fourth season with us and it's been pretty amazing to just sit back and watch her grow as a leader and as a teammate," Kahl Holmes said. "She does a lot of things, not necessarily volleyball wise, that are so important to our team dynamics. She makes my job easier."

Homitz returns on the right side after a solid season in 2007 that saw her post 170 kills and 68 total blocks. She was hampered by injuries her first couple of seasons on campus but her hard work over the past few years did not go unnoticed, as she received the team's Dedication Award in 2007.

"It has been great to see Ashley grow both on and off the court," said Kahl Holmes. "She has fought back from injuries her first two seasons, and has come back stronger and more confident than ever. She has worked hard in the off season to be physically stronger, and I look forward to Ashley having a breakout senior season. She is a great leader because she truly cares about her teammates and wants what's best for all of them."

Homitz, Mullikin and the rest of the Deacs will lift the lid on the 2008 season this weekend as they host the Deacon Invitational. Wake Forest will play Davidson at 7 p.m. on Friday and then Norfolk State at 12:30 p.m. and Winthrop at 7 p.m. on Saturday.