Aug. 27, 2009

Volleyball Week 1 Notes

OREM, Utah - In 2008, the Utah Valley University women's volleyball team captured its second straight Div. I Independent Championship, and now the 2009 Wolverines are setting their sights on the first-ever Great West Conference volleyball crown.

UVU volleyball coach Sam Atoa hopes the momentum gained last year will carry over into the 2009 campaign, which opens Friday night in Ogden when they face Gonzaga at 5 p.m. in the Weber State Invitational. The Wolverines play Weber State and Utah State on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.

"I'd like to think there are some things that we did last fall and last spring that are really going to help us," he said.

The Wolverines open at home on Friday, Sept. 4 with the University of Utah in the LaQuinta Inn & Suites Invitational. The following day they play Missouri and Washington State.

The Wolverines (14-12) boast seniors Allyce Jones, Camie Manwill, Marla Morin and juniors Dani Robison, Lanni O'Reilly, Kayli Broadbent and Kathleen Stevens. With the experienced gained last year by last year's freshmen Jaicee Kuresa, Faith Tusieseina, Chelsea Fa'alogo, Sarah Clement, and Chelsey Garfield, and the addition of transfer Rachel Anderson (Snow College) and freshmen Lindsay Barker, Erica Nish, and Patti Flagg, the Wolverines are poised to make a run at the GWC crown.

The Wolverines received all seven first-place votes for a total of 49 points in the inaugural GWC poll, while Houston Baptist was second with 37 points and North Dakota and South Dakota garnered 29 points each.

"We have huge challenges and we're willing to accept those challenges and show where we're at," he said. "Hopefully we can continue to succeed."

The Wolverines will have an aggressive preseason home slate with matches against USC, Utah, Missouri, Oregon, Washington State and Utah State, but they have proven they can win at home by going 12-1 last year.

After playing their first three matches of the year on the road, the Wolverines will play 13 of their next 14 at home. Included in that stretch are conference games with Chicago State, North Dakota and South Dakota.

SETTERS

Atoa began preparing Fa'alogo (5-foot-9) for the job last season by giving her solid playing time as a freshman, and he hopes it pays off for her this year.

"When she's playing her best ball it's exactly what we need," he said. "She did very well and we're expecting a lot of the same things from her this year."

In 57 sets, Fa'alogo averaged 4.89 sets per set, second behind Kristi Lindley (8.22), who graduated.

Pushing Fa'alogo is Anderson (5-8), a transfer from Snow College.

MIDDLES

With the departure of Kristin Anderson, Atoa is looking to Robison (6-1), the Wolverines' most experienced middle returner, to fill her shoes.

"I expect Dani to step into that role and help lead," Atoa said.

Robison had 37 total blocks, while Clement (6-2) had 54.

"She (Sarah) has really stepped up her game," Atoa said. "She reaches the highest on the team and she jumps the highest. She is a raw athlete, and had some great moments and we're excited to build on them."

Morin (6-0), who underwent surgery in the spring, could see time if she can fully recover from her injury.

Nish (6-2), a freshman from Fremont HS, will also added depth.

OUTSIDE HITTERS

The Wolverines will have the most depth in this position with Broadbent, Garfield, Manwill and freshman Barker (6-1) from Springville HS.

Broadbent (6-0) led the team with 3.55 kills per set, while Garfield (5-11) averaged 1.95.

"Kayli is the most powerful player on the team. She carried us last year," Atoa said. "She gets the job done."

Garfield was pressed into heavy duty as a freshman and responded.

"She played in that role a lot sooner than expected and learned from the experience and the struggles she went through," Atoa said.

Manwill (6-0) averaged 3.91 kills per set in 2007. She missed all of 2008 with a knee injury.

RIGHT SIDE

Kuresa (6-0), who played outside hitter last year, will move to the right side and will battle with Tusieseina (6-0).

"She (Jaicee) has a lot to learn, but she's a physical athlete. She has yet to reach her potential," Atoa said. "She has a huge block and a great jump and will continue to improve."

Kuresa was fourth on the team with 170 kills while Tusieseina had 66.

"Faith learned a lot last year with the opportunities she had," Atoa said. "She has been determined in the spring and summer to work hard. She has the skill and potential to be very good for us."

DEFENSE

Jones (5-3) led the team with 451 digs last year, and Atoa attributes that to her aggressiveness.

"There is no one out there that plays harder or with more heart than she does," he said.

And this year he doesn't expect anything different from her.

Stephens (5-8) was third in digs with 129.

"She (Stephens) is maturing as a player and with that maturity I expect some great things from her and with her ability to get on the court and create something for us," Atoa said.

In addition to Jones and Stevens, O'Reilly (5-9) adds depth and versatility.

"She has been our utility player. If we need someone outside she does that. If we need defense she does that," Atoa said. "You always need those kinds of players on the team."

Freshman Flagg (5-6) also adds depth to the position.