Forceful Returns. Carla Wallis sends the ball back into the opponent's court with determination . - photo by Public Relations Office. Waiting Patiently. Dawn Mason , Beth Shanklin and Julie Thweatt set themselves before the ball is hit. - photo by Public Relations Office. 1984 Ale VOLLEYBALL RESULTS Arkansas Tech University Southern Arkansas University Ouachita Baptist University Henderson State University University of Central Arkansas HARDING UNIVERSITY Hendrix College Foreign Influence 12-0 10-2 8-4 5-7 4-8 3-9 0-12 Millions of Americans were "glued" to their television sets last summer when the women's volleyball team from China defeated the women of the United States in the finals of the 1984 Olympics. China and other Far Eastern countries had dominated volleyball in recent Olympics but the U.S .A. team was the surprise of 1984 and most Americans expected them to win; however , China prevailed since the Chinese grow up playing vo lleyball and made fewer mistakes. This provides an explanation for the outstanding performance of Julie Thweatt, Harding's superior hitter who received AIIAIC recognition in 1983 and again in 1984, the first two years that Harding fielded a women 's volleyball team. Julie, the youngest daughter of Enoch B. and Jeannine Thweatt and the fourth of their children to attend Harding, learned to play volleyball in Taipei, Taiwan, where her parents have served as missionaries for several years. She attended the Taipei American School where she played varsity basketball, soccer and volleyball. She served as captain of the vo lleyball team her senior year and received AIITournament recognition at the Hong Kong Tournament. As captain of the Harding Lady Bisons, Julie was an excellent leader on the floor. Being able to play all positions with adequate capability in Ale competition , she was eager to help younger players on the team strengthen their skills. She was a strong server but excelled as a hitter . Although she was one of the taller Lady Bisons, Julie was really a "short" hitter for a collegiate player. During the off-season for volleyball in the AIC, Julie played in the Searcy mixed volleyball league. She played on the same team with her brother Enoch , who also played soccer, serving as player-coach of the Searcy Steel team composed mostly of Harding students. Tom Ritchie , graduate assistant coach, commented, "Julie was a strong, vibrant player who was an excellent team leader on the floor and unselfishly shared her knowledge of the game with less-experienced team mates." &. Volleyball 141
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