SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College Volleyball Coach Bill Carter is looking forward to a much improved season, thanks to one of the best recruiting years in the recent history of the program.

"I am excited about our fast-pace offense, passing, and what I believe will be the best defensive crew in Central Carolina volleyball history," said Carter, who enters his ninth year as the CCCC coach. "The Cougar volleyball program will win matches this year and be very aggressive with our performance outcome goal setting for the 2016 season."

The Cougars compete in the competitive National Junior College Athletic Association Region 10 Division III Conference. "Although we have reloaded and are ready to compete, our conference members do the same every year," said Carter. "We have the ability to do well in our conference and be a factor in the conference tournament at the end of the season."

Tami Carter will serve as the Cougars' assistant coach for the ninth year.

Here is a list of the Cougars' athletes, including name, year in school, position, hometown and high school, and a comment on each player from Coach Carter.

#1 Tara Way
Freshman
Libero
Sanford, N.C. (Southern Lee High School)

Coach Carter: "Tara will anchor our defense/passing core with her exciting style of hustle and movement."

#2 Alexis MacKenzie
Freshman
Setter
Richlands, N.C. (Richlands High School)

Coach Carter: "Alexis will be fun to watch in the setter position as she guides the 2016 Cougar attack with a small frame, big vertical, and outstanding athleticism."

#3 Elissa Neal
Freshman
Outside Hitter
Sanford, N.C. (Lee County High School)

Coach Carter: "Elissa will bring amazing court coverage, self-sacrificing defense to the back row, and an athletic attack at the net. She also brings a high volleyball IQ to help organize the Cougar rotations."

#4 Taylor Wagner
Sophomore
Outside Hitter
Spring Lake, N.C. (Pine Forest High School)

Coach Carter: "Taylor will bring power to the 2016 Cougar offense and an amazing jump serve that should produce a lot of points. Taylor is our head captain and the leader of the Cougar volleyball squad. Taylor is the player that will guide the Cougars in the right direction when the team is away from the coaching staff. That speaks volumes."

#6 Charity Taylor
Freshman
Outside Hitter
Sanford, N.C. (Grace Christian High School)

Coach Carter: "Charity will bring an amazing attack from the front row, back row, and provide a powerful jump serve to the 2016 Cougar offense. The exciting thing is that Charity may be our best attacker, but has much room to continue to improve during the season."

#8 Brianna Roper
Freshman
Defensive Specialist
Lillington, N.C. (Falcon Christian School)

Coach Carter: "Brianna is a solid defensive player and has a very aggressive serve that will be utilized."

#9 Brooke Young
Freshman
Middle Hitter/Outside Hitter
Sanford, N.C. (Lee Christian High School)

Coach Carter: "Brooke is a talented outside hitter who will be utilized in the middle due to her aggressive play at the net, good vertical, and quick powerful arm swing. Brooke has a can-do attitude and is willing to do what's best to help her Cougar teammates."

#10 Kaydon Snook
Sophomore
Sanford, N.C. (Western Harnett High School)

Coach Carter: "Kaydon is a player that was new to the game last year, but has worked so hard over the spring and summer you would never know. She is our number one middle and has developed a strong offensive attack. I am interested to watch her kill and block stat line this season."

#11 Emma Cowfer
Freshman
Middle/Right Side
Sanford, N.C. (Lee Christian High School)

Coach Carter: "Emma has a strong work ethic that has allowed her to continually improve over the summer in all areas of her game. She is consistent with her attack and serve. She will be an important factor to our team success in 2016."

#13 Daija Terry
Sophomore
Setter/Defensive Specialist
Durham, N.C. (Albemarle High School, Charlottesville, Va.)

Coach Carter: "Daija took on the role of setter for the 2015 season and has continually worked and improved her setting to get ready for the 2016 season. Daija will track down misguided passes with her exciting style hustle. Daija also has an outstanding attack from the service line that will bolster the Cougar offense."

#14 Sam Denison
Freshman
Right Side/Defensive Specialist
Lillington, N.C. (Western Harnett High School)

Coach Carter: "Sam will display some surprising power from the right and a very tough serve to return. She also will bring strength to the Cougar passing and defensive core."

The schedule:

Aug. 18 -- Alumni (7 p.m.), 23 -- at Pitt CC (6 p.m.), 30 -- Wake Tech (7 p.m.)

Sept. 1 -- at Louisburg College (6 p.m.), 6 -- Pitt CC (7 p.m.), 8 -- at Danville CC (7 p.m.), 13 -- Sandhills CC (7 p.m.), 15 -- at Patrick Henry CC (6 p.m.), 20 -- at Davidson CC (7 p.m.), 23 -- at Vance-Granville CC (6 p.m.), 27 -- Rockingham CC (7 p.m.), 28 -- Patrick Henry CC (7 p.m.), 29 -- Louisburg College (7 p.m.)

Oct. 4 -- Davidson CC (7 p.m.), 6 -- at Sandhills CC (6 p.m.), 11 -- Danville CC (7 p.m.), 13 -- at Rockingham CC (6 p.m.), 14 -- Vance-Granville CC (7 p.m.), 18 -- at Wake Tech (6 p.m.).