2006 Season Outlook
Aug 25 | Women's Volleyball
As the start of the 2006 season approaches, head coach Orlando Gonzalez and his Scarlet Knight charges are eager to begin a new chapter in the history of Rutgers volleyball.
A year ago, Gonzalez was named the interim head coach of the program just weeks before the team's first match, making for a difficult and uncertain situation for the entire team. But even with the limited amount of preparation time, the Scarlet Knights posted an 11-16 overall record and a 6-8 mark in the BIG EAST Conference, improving as the season progressed and just missing out on a berth to the league tournament. Now installed as the permanent head coach and with one recruiting class already enrolled "On the Banks," Gonzalez believes the program is on a firm footing and ready to challenge opponents in each and every match.
"Transitioning from last year to this year has essentially been a brand-new experience," said Gonzalez. "What we did last year was that we took a situation of uncertainty and we tried to make the best of it, and I think we accomplished that. There is a lot that I have learned, and a lot that the players have learned about what it takes to create a culture of accomplishment.
"What we have learned is that a lot of that (success) is going to be based on our attitude. We have a brand new situation for all of us. It's exciting and it's a new direction. Everything is new, from the personnel to the style of play, so there will be a bit of a learning curve involved. But the outlook is very bright, because we all believe that we are going in a positive, new direction."
Chief among the many changes within the program will be the style of play on the court.
"We're going with a little bit of a more high-risk, fast-paced offense," he said. "We are making a greater commitment to defense and controlling the volleyball. We want to be a fun and interesting team to watch. If we are able to execute at our level of expectation, we will be very tough to play every night and tough to stop."
SETTERS
The Scarlet Knights are fortunate to return a trio of experienced setters from last year's team. Roxy Calder posted a team-best 756 assists in 91 games as a freshman, but seniors Tamarie Macon (207 assists) and Jocelyn Greenwald (94) also saw significant action, giving RU a sense of stability at the position even as the Scarlet Knights look to switch up their system of play.
"We are going to be running a 6-2 offense this year, which will eliminate the need for our setters to block and allow them to focus on running the offense," Gonzalez explained. "We have also modified a lot of their style techniques to match the type of play we are trying to accomplish. We feel that they are going to do a great job, especially with the additional experience gained last year."
OUTSIDE HITTERS
"We have improved our depth and experience level at outside hitter this year," Gonzalez stated, "but the critical thing for us will be how little we use that position. If we don't have to count on them as much (as last year), we will be a far more successful team. It's not that they're not good, because they are very, very good, but we are looking to have more balance in our system and be a little less predictable than we have been in the past."
Preseason all-BIG EAST selection Lora Yankauskas was RU's primary threat at the net, ranking fourth in the league in kills per game (4.22) and fifth in points per game (4.89). Accounting for nearly 30 percent of the team's kills a year ago, the 6-1 senior will remain one of the key options in Rutgers' retooled attack. Sophomore Kyra Thompson (2.18 kpg, 2.73 dpg) and freshman Brittani Rendina will also see significant time on the outside.
"Lora is obviously a critical component," said Gonzalez. "We want to help make her more efficient this year instead of putting so much of the burden on her. She is one of our main players, but I see a lot of possibilities with Kyra and Brittani as well."
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
"For the most part, our middle blocker position is brand new with two new faces who will add a lot of talent," Gonzalez explained. "I see a lot of potential in that group. It will take a little bit of time, but I am confident that they will blossom into the dominant middle blockers we need."
Junior Mallory McEnroe, an all-region selection at Muskegon (MI) Community College last fall, will be looked to for immediate contributions in the middle.
"I think Mallory might be the best-kept secret in the BIG EAST (this preseason)," stated Gonzalez. "I think she is going to be a handful for other teams once she gets up to speed and gets a feel for what she can expect in conference play."
Also debuting "On the Banks" this fall will be freshman Sophie Cook. The only returning player at the position, Amanda Meyer, averaged 1.88 kills and 0.93 block per game as a freshman last fall.
RIGHT SIDE/UTILITY
With three freshmen in Katie Barends, Stephanie Moore and Cook, Rutgers will certainly have a different complexion this year on the right side.
"I think we will be much improved on the right side," said Gonzalez. "We need to have more productivity out of that utility spot, and I feel confident with the group we have this year that we will be able to accomplish that. They will give us a far better block on the outside, and I think they will give us a great deal of versatility on offense. Before, I think we were a very one-dimensional offense. Now, we'll force our opponents to defend 30 feet of net instead of 20 feet."
Macon and Meyer will add veteran depth on the right side.
LIBERO
"I think that we are going to be vastly improved at the libero spot, and that is really going to be critical to our success this year," Gonzalez stated. "Brittani, Jamie Godfrey and Kyra will all be playing at libero, and they will definitely help us from that spot. Brittani especially can change the fabric of our defense. Her position is as critical as any on the court, and she will provide us with quality ball control."
