SFA Volleyball 2013 Preview: Liberos/Defensive Specialists
8/29/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug 29, 2013
DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
Returning: OJ Olson, Janet Hill, Amanda Rister, Laiken Britt
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - For years, Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack head volleyball coach Debbie Humphreys placed a significant emphasis placed on defensive and ball control, and with four returners at defensive specialist, the 2013 season should be no different.
SFA will shift OJ Olson to the libero role in place of departed Madison Hanlan, with Janet Hill, Amanda Rister and Laiken Britt, as multiple options to serve in back-row situations.
"OJ is doing a great job," Humphreys said. "OJ has always been known for her defense, she's a stellar defender. She's a great leader and she's just fun to have on your team. She has fun out on the court. She keeps things light, doesn't get too serious about anything. She's been doing a phenomenal job both as a passer and a defensive specialist. She will wear the libero jersey for us this season."
Olson appeared in 133 sets, making four starts as a true freshman in 2012. The Cedar Park, Texas, native, recorded 246 digs in a defensive specialist role. Olson recorded 10 digs or more on eight separate occasions.
Rister will shift to a defensive specialist for her senior season. The Georgetown, Texas, native, served as a back setter in 2012 after transferring in from Temple College.
"We moved Amanda for a setter to a defensive specialist role," she said. "When you're a setter you don't do a lot of passing, so it is a new role for her, but she did rep that a lot during the spring and got more comfortable with that role."
Rister makes the shift from setter to defensive specialist in simiar fashion to junior Janet Hill, who did so in between her freshman and sophomore seasons.
"Hill, who had made the same type of swith (as Rister) as year earlier, had been a setter turned defensive specialist. She is doing a phenomenal job. Her confidence is now sky high and she under stands, as a passer and defender, what her responsibility is. She's been playing great volleyball."
Rounding out the defensive back line is Britt, who redshirted in 2012.
"Laiken is a very natural passer," she said. "She, probably technique wise, looks the best out of all of them. She's one of those players who could really surprise some people. She's a player we really see developing as a passer and defender."
The Ladyjacks open the 2013 season on the road, traveling to Hattiesburg, Miss. for the Southern Mississippi Tournament Aug. 30-31.
Aug. 27 - Middle Blockers/Outside Hitters
Aug. 28 - Setters
Aug. 29 - Liberos/Defensive Specialists
-SFA-
