Ladyjack 2009 Preview: Libero/Defensive Specialist
8/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 21, 2009
Returners: Sydney Milburn
Newcomers: Madison Hanlan
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - In the last five years, no team in the Southland Conference has been as dominant at the libero position as have the Ladyjacks; but, with Laurel Kuepker transitioning into a setting role for the upcoming year, the libero spot is open with senior Sydney Milburn and freshman Madison Hanlan each vying for the off-color jersey.
Milburn was one of two junior college transfers from a year ago and played primarily as a back-row, defensive specialist after coming in from Blinn College. A firey player with good leadership and ball control skills, Milburn will see plenty of court time as a senior. She got into 15 matches in 2008 and posted double-figure digs in five of the last six matches she got time in, including 21 digs in a win over Texas-Arlington on Nov. 1.
But Hanlan could have the inside track for the starting job despite being just a true freshman out of Arlington's Martin High School. Arguably the best libero coming out of the State of Texas as a high school senior according to Debbie Humphreys, Hanlan is expected to bring energy and quickness to a position that has won four of the last five SLC Libero of the Year awards. She was named by PrepVolleyball.com as one of the top 250 recruits in the nation for 2009 and has lived up to the billing so far in fall camp.
Two years ago it was Kuepker who started at libero as a true freshman and one year later she led the SLC in digs, and in 2003 it was a true freshman named Stephanie Figgers that opened up the year at libero. She helped lead SFA to three straight SLC titles, an NCAA Tournament win and was named SLC Player of the Year in 2006.
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