Aug. 26, 2008

Weekly Notes

OREM, Utah -- The Utah Valley University women's volleyball team kicks off its 2008 campaign this week at the Utah Invitational with matches against Utah at 7 p.m. Friday and Santa Clara at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Utah enters the season after finishing second in the Mountain West Conference in 2007. The Utes finished the 2007 season with a record of 15-15, and return 5 starters to the 2008 roster.

Santa Clara tied for first in the West Coast Conference in 2007 with a record of 19-12 overall. The Broncos' regular-season effort earned them an opportunity in the NCCA Tournament where they lost to Stanford 3-0 in the first round. Five 2007 starters also return to the court for Santa Clara in 2008.

Season Preview

The 2008 Utah Valley University women's volleyball team is poised for another outstanding season. In 2007, the team (21-10) won the Independent Championship and brought home all four major Independent honors that included Coach of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, and Freshman of the Year accolades. Head coach Sam Atoa said he hopes for nothing less in 2008.

"We hope to be able to put ourselves in a position to compete for the Independent Championship this last season before we begin Great West Conference play in 2009," Atoa commented. "We won it in 2005, it was taken from us in 2006, and we took it back last year. We want to defend it again this year."

Atoa said he can expect similar success in 2008 because of the quality of talent on this year's roster. Returning to the lineup are Allyce Wilson (2007 Defensive Player of the Year), Kristin Anderson (led all Independents with 1.23 blocks per game), Kayli Broadbent (2007 Freshman of the Year), and Kristi Lindley (First Team All-Independent selection).

"I'm very encouraged with our core group of returners," Atoa said. "This year's recruiting class also provided us some much needed depth. Barring injuries, they'll be able to contribute to what we expect this year."

In order to get back to the top again in 2008, the Wolverines will play a schedule that includes tournaments at the University of Utah and the University of Kansas in addition to hosting the La Quinta Invitational again at the Shurian Family Activity Center. Atoa's squad will also play matches at Utah State, Washington State, and Hawaii among other schools. Home matches will include bouts with North Texas, Idaho State, and Weber State to name a few, as well as the 2008 Independent Championships November 21-22.

"It's hard to know what to expect at the start of each season," Atoa said. "If our new players meet both their and our expectations then I think things will go well... There are always kids that surprise you in a positive way. From what I've seen, there is some great potential for good things to come early in our new players' careers."

Setters

Lindley returns to run the Wolverine offense after leading all independent players with a school-record 12.67 assists per game in 2007. Competing for the starting setter position will be incoming-freshman Chelsea Fa'alogo. Fa'alogo was a First Team All-State selection in Utah in 2007 and averaged nearly 32 assists per match at Skyline High School.

"For the first time in a long time we have two good setters that can compete against each other for playing time," Atoa said. "That competition will benefit them and the team if approached the right way."

Middles

The middle will be anchored by Anderson who averaged 1.92 kills per game with a .296 hitting percentage as a sophomore. As for the other middle position, Atoa said he looks forward to finding out which of his players will step up to fill that role.

"I expect nothing but great things from Anderson this season," he said. "She's determined to continue to excel. It's been great to see her grow and develop into the player we knew she would become. We have a young core, and we're expecting good things to happen at the other middle position. I'm excited to see who will rise to the occasion."

Outside Hitters

Unfortunately for UVU, senior outside hitter Camie Manwill, a First Team All-Independent selection who averaged 3.91 kills per game, will have to redshirt the 2008 season due to a knee injury. Broadbent earned Independent Freshman of the Year honors as an outside hitter in 2007, and Atoa said he will need other inexperienced players excel in like fashion in 2008.

"Last year we had young players step up and play great volleyball at the outside position," he remarked. "We're going to need that again this year and then some. Losing Manwill to injury will really test us as a team to see how physically and mentally tough we are."

Right Side

The right side position is the only position on the floor for which Atoa does not return a starter in 2008. However, he said he remains confident in his team's strength at that position. Faith Tusieseina is an incoming freshman who Atoa says brings potential and talent to that position.

"The inexperience we face on the right side could be a challenge, but I'm confident in Tusieseina's abilities," Atoa said. "I think there will be some impressive things we'll be able to do at that position because of her great potential."

Defense

Wilson returns to the court in 2008 to defend her 2007 Independent Defensive Player of the Year award. She averaged 5.56 digs per game as a sophomore libero and was named Independent Defensive Player of the Week four times during the 2007 season.

"I'm excited about Wilson and the experience she will bring to our back row," Atoa said. "She's definitely the heartbeat of this team. When she's making things happen on defense, great things come about on offense for us."