Ladyjack 2010 Preview: Middle Blockers
8/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 20, 2010
Returning: MC Bottles, Sabrina Burns
Newcomers: Lindsay Hill, Carrie Hahn
A two-time all-conference blocker and a converted outside hitter will open the year in the middle for the Ladyjacks at a spot that has become a program mainstay for nearly a decade.
The only first team all-conference player the Ladyjacks had in 2009 was senior middle blocker Ashley Bailey, but now as an upper classman, Bottles is primed to take over as the main player at the net. Statistically speaking, Bottles had a slight drop-off from her first to second season, but it was still enough to earn second team all-Southland Conference honors at the season's end.
On top of that she has established herself as the being at her best when she is needed the most, earning all-tournament honors at the SLC Tournament last season and putting up a season-high 18 kills in the title game against Texas State.
"MC is the type of player that the bigger the moment, the better she is," head coach Debbie Humphreys said. "When the game or match is on the line or when we need a big point, everyone in the gym knows who is likely to get the ball, but she is still talented enough to get the job done even in the spotlight of the big moments."
Bottles will be joined up front by sophomore Sabrina Burns, who initially was brought in as an outside hitter last year, but excelled during the spring when moved to the net full time. At a long 6-2, she gives SFA an immediate size presence up front after averaging 0.53 blocks and 1.00 blocks per set last year in limited time as a true freshman on the outside.
"Sabrina really took to the middle blocking position in the spring very well in the spring, which works out great for us because that is a position that we would have had to fill with a newcomer otherwise," Humphreys said. "She has a canon for an arm like an outside, but has the strength and size of a middle. It is a great combination to have, and on top of that she is arguably the hardest worker I have ever coached, which is only going to continue to make her transition smoother."
Those newcomers fighting for time behind Bottles and Burns come from different backgrounds in freshman Lindsay Hill and current Ladyjack high jumper Carrie Hahn, who is adding her name to a second SFA roster this fall. The 6-1 Hill comes from a successful high school pedigree at San Antonio's Reagan High School where she was a two-time all-district selection and helped lead RHS to a pair of regional finals appearances.
As for Hahn, she is a two-time all-Southland Conference high jumper for the Ladyjack track and field team that is making the transition from the track to the hardwood. She has had a pair of older sisters play volleyball at the collegiate level, while she played high school volleyball at Vista Ridge High School in Austin with current SFA setter Allison Gideon.
"Lindsay and Carrie give us some very good options up front, with both possessing good size and athleticism," Humphreys said. "Lindsay could also give us a bigger body on the right side early in the season if necessary, while we all know what Carrie brings to us just from her days high jumping. She also grew up in a volleyball atmosphere with her and her sisters having played, so this is nothing new to her."
Aug. 16 - Setters
Aug. 18 -Outside Hitters
Aug. 20 - Middle Blockers
Aug. 23 - Liberos/Defensive Specialists
-SFA-
