Ladyjack 2010 Preview: Libero/Defensive Specialists
8/23/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 23, 2010
Returning: Madison Hanlan
Newcomers: Meagan Veach
A major point of emphasis for the Ladyjacks entering 20009 was to make an effort to get back to a brand of volleyball predicated upon defense and ball control that helped the program attain seven conference titles in Debbie Humphreys tenure. Part of the plan implemented by Humphreys was to insert freshman Madison Hanlan in at libero from the opening day of the season, and Hanlan responded with a season that placed her at the top of conversation among that position across the league.
The Ladyjacks have a history of success in the off-color jersey, having won the league's first four libero of the year awards and constantly having its liberos at or near the top of the league statistically.
"We value the libero position here at SFA," Humphreys said. "A lot of places just have it as an afterthought and just find someone to fill the jersey, but it is something we recruit and we scholarship."
Hanlan set an SFA freshman record for total digs with 585 on the year, averaging 4.24 per set which was third in the entire conference. That was good enough to earn honorable mention all-conference honors and raise expectations entering 2010.
"When I look at Madison, I can only think of how Stephanie (Figgers) progressed when she was here," Humphreys said. "It's always tough to compare one player to another because everyone excels at certain parts of her game, but their skills are very similar and hopefully the progression is similar too. Madison had a very good year for us last season, but she has just scratched the surface of what she is capable of and she is going to be a huge factor in our success as a team in 2010."
One of the best in the league at serve-receive, she was also the best at the service line for the Ladyjacks last season. She finished ninth in the league with 0.29 aces per set, leading SFA in that category.
The libero jersey will be all Hanlan's this year, but she will also get some help on the back line from several others including newcomer Meagan Veach and returners Laurel Kuepker and Melissa Miksch. Kuepker is a former libero herself while the versatile Miksch has seen time at both setter and outside hitter, but both possess above average ball-control skills and could see some duty in back-line rotations.
As for Veach, the freshman will likely see the lion's share of her time in serve-receive situations while also giving Humphreys another setting option.
Aug. 16 - Setters
Aug. 18 -Outside Hitters
Aug. 20 -Middle Blcokers
Aug. 23 - Liberos/Defensive Specialists
-SFA-
