The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
2006 Volleyball outlook: Outside hitters and middle blockers
08.14.2006 | Volleyball
In six short days, the 2006 Volleyball squad will meet the public at the "Sneak Peak/Open House/Youth Clinic" at Gregory Gym on Saturday, Aug. 19. In the first of two parts of the 2006 season preview, head coach Jerritt Elliott breaks down his team by position and focuses on the outside hitters and middle blockers.
Expectations and confidence are high for the 2006 Texas volleyball squad.
Coming off a 24-5 season and an NCAA Championship second round showing where the Longhorns were upended by No. 7 ranked Hawaii in a match of powerhouse teams, Jerritt Elliott's Longhorns enter the 2006 campaign with all six starters returning and the No. 8 ranking in the CSTV/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Preseason Top 25 Poll.
In the Big 12 Presason Coaches Poll, Nebraska and Texas are picked to finish one-two, respectively, in the same order that the two squads finished the regular season race last fall.
UT's strength in numbers is apparent when looking at three returning All-Americans (6-2 senior middle blocker Brandy Magee, 6-1 junior middle blocker Leticia Armstrong and 5-10 junior setter Michelle Moriarty) among the 11 veterans.
They are joined by the nation's No. 2 ranked recruiting class (the freshman trio of 6-3 setter/right-side hitter Ashley Engle, the Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year, 6-4 outside hitter Destinee Hooker, the 2006 NCAA outdoor high jump champion, and 5-10 defensive specialist Heather Kisner).
In addition to Engle's preseason honor, a Big-12 record four Longhorns were named to the 2006 All-Big 12 Preseason Team -- Magee, Armstrong, Moriarty and 5-10 senior outside hitter Dariam Acevedo.
The Middle Blockers
Returnees (3)
Leticia Armstrong (#24, 6-1 Jr.) ... 2005 AVCA All-America Second Team ... 2006 All-Big 12 Preseason Team ... had a breakout 2005 sophomore campaign after seeing limited action as a redshirt freshman... averaged 3.19 kills with team-highs of 135 blocks and 1.36 blocks per game
Brandy Magee (#44 6-2 Sr.) ... AVCA All-America Third Team ... 2006 All-Big 12 Preseason Team ... ranked 24th nationally in hitting percentage (.377) in 2005 with the third-highest single-season mark in UT history
Jen Todd (#33, 6-2 Jr.) ...1.52 kills per game, 0.80 blocks per game and 1.99 points per game in 2005 after transferring to UT from Washington State where she was a 2004 honorable mention All-Pac 10 performer
Newcomers (1)
RuthAnn Feist (#7, 6-5 Redshirt Fr.) ... a Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 recruit two year ago who was a medical redshirt last fall
Middle Blocker Headlines
- 2005 was a breakout year for both Brandy Magee and Leticia Armstrong, as both were team stat leaders who claimed AVCA All-America and First Team All-Region and All-Big 12 accolades
- One of the nation's top hitters, Magee is UT's all-time leader in hitting percentage (.363)
- Redshirt RuthAnn Feist gives the Horns great height and depth on the outside and the versatility to play in the middle
- Jennifer Todd is a solid reserve with one more year of eligibility remaining after transferring to Texas for the 2005 campaign
Elliott's Outlook: Middle Blockers
"We are unquestionably deep here, and our middle blockers were the strength of last year's team. Our two middle blocker All-Americans -- Brandy and "T" (Leticia) -- had breakout seasons.
Brandy is a major offensive threat and creates match-up problems every moment on the court. "T" came out of nowhere last year and became one of the most dynamic middle blockers in the country. She has such tremendous speed off one foot, and her arm is very difficult to defend. Brandy, Leticia and Jennifer complement each other on the court, as Jennifer and "T" are really good off of one foot and Brandy is our best attacker in front of the setter. RuthAnn is really developing her game and her strength. She also creates match-up problems and we are impressed with her development as a blocker."
The Outside Hitters
Returnees (3)
Dariam Acevedo (#12, 5-10 Sr.) ... 2006 All-Big 12 Preseason Team, 2005 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention ... last year, had 3.77 kills per game and 4.42 points per game and 20 double-kill matches ... led Big 12 in league aces per game (0.4) and total aces with 29)
Jen Christian (#13, 6-3 Jr.) ... played in all 29 matches with 25 starts last fall ... ... fifth in kills per game (2.41), tied for third in digs (2.02) last year ... had eight double-figure kill and 10 double-figure dig performances
Lauren Paolini (#3, 6-5 So.) ... former state of Michigan Gatorade HS Player of the Year who appeared in 28 matches (97 games) as a rookie ... averaged 2.43 kills per game and 3.03 points per game, playing both OH and opposite hitter
Newcomers (2)
Ashley Engle (#10, 6-3 Fr.) ... scholastic All-America standout and member of the US Junior National team program who is expected to play at the setter position as well
Destinee Hooker (#21, 6-4 Fr.) ... Explosive dual-sport athletic talent with a huge upside in volleyball ... All-America high jumper last indoor season (3rd nationally) before winning the 2006 NCAA outdoor high jump crown as she enrolled a semester early
Headlines
- In 2005, Texas was second among all Big 12 teams in hitting percentage (.272) and ranked No. 18 nationally
- Dariam Acevedo is a two-time All-Big 12 standout, while Ashley Engle has been tabbed 2006 Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year
- Jen Christian made a significant contribution in the front row the last two years and she will play an even bigger role in 2006
- Lauren Paolini and NCAA high jump champion Destinee Hooker give the Horns great height and depth on the outside and the versatility to play in the middle.
Jerritt Elliott's Outlook on the Outside Hitters
"We have experience and great depth here.Dariam is a great passer and defender and our most balanced player. She has really elevated her game and played at All-America level during the last half of last season, hitting over .300 in that stretch. When she plays with her high emotion, she elevates our team to our greatest level.
Jen, one of our best left-side blockers, had a great spring and is the strongest she's ever been. Because her confidence is at an all-time high and she expects to be on the court, we anticipate seeing her in different combinations on the court. Lauren has played as opposite hitter and outside and had a tremendous spring. She is significantly stronger than a year ago and creates a major match-up problem on the right side at 6-5, blocking-wise.
We have amazing potential with our newcomers Ashley and Destinee, along with RuthAnn Feist, who will see time at middle blocker mostly but who is also versatile up front.
Ashley is a left-handed 6-3 threat and well-rounded as a setter and hitter. Destinee is the best athlete in the gym and has international volleyball-caliber physical talents, as well as a great learning curve. Due to her track obligations, we had her for 10 or 12 spring practices, but once she gets comfortable in our system, we see her as a dominant left-side hitter who can help carry the team."
