SFA Volleyball 2012 Preview: Liberos/Defensive Specialists
8/20/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 20, 2012
LIBEROS/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
Returning: Madison Hanlan, Janet Hill
Newcomers: OJ Olson, Laiken Britt
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks have not claimed an Southland Conference libero of the year award since 2007, but that streak could come to an end this season with preseason first team all-SLC selection Madison Hanlan back for her senior year to anchor the Ladyjack back line.
When the SLC added the libero of the year award to its postseason list for the 2005 season, the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks immediately grabbed hold of the award and called it their own, winning it each of the first four years it was available. In the meantime Hanlan has managed to earn all-SLC recognition each of the last two years and has to be the frontrunner for the award this season as the top-rated returning libero in the league.
"Madison has had a very nice career so far, but I don't think we've seen the best she's got yet," SFA head coach Debbie Humphreys said. "The way last season ended for her was a disappointment, but I also think it's a bit of added motivation to have a great year this season."
Hanlan finished the 2011 season third in the SLC in digs but had her season cut short when she went down to a shoulder injury late in the season vs UTSA. Still, she finished with over 550 total digs for the second time in her career and averaged 5.03 digs per set, passing well throughout the year and making a drastic difference in the Ladyjacks' serve-receive game.
She will enter 2012 needing 55 digs to move into sole possession of second place on the all-time digs list at SFA, and 423 more to become join former all-Amercan Stephanie Figgers as just the second Ladyjack in history to accumulate 2,000 digs in her career.
Hanlan will be joined by Janet Hill and a pair of freshmen defensive specialists, all brought in to keep with Humphreys' team staple of ball control which she has emphasized throughout her career as she enters her 25th year with the program. Hill split time as a defensive specialist and setter as a freshman, but will likely see the majority of her duty in a defensive role this season.
"We got some good floor time from Janet last season," Humphreys said. "She stepped into some tough situations for a freshman last year and handled things well. That makes it much easier to turn to her this year, knowing that she can handle those tough situations."
Freshmen OJ Olson and Laiken Britt also join the ranks this season and will give Humphreys other options to turn toward if the need arises.
Aug. 10 - Middle Blockers
Aug. 13 - Outside Hitters
Aug. 16 - Setters
Aug. 20 - Liberos/Defensive Specialists
-SFA-
