2008 Season Preview
Aug 19 | Women's Volleyball
The 2008 Rutgers volleyball season will bring about change 'On the Banks' as former assistant coach CJ Werneke begins his first season at the helm of a promising young team.
The Scarlet Knights return three starters and 10 letterwinners, but will still be relatively young with nine underclassmen. However, Werneke believes that his young players will be ready to play immediately because many of the returners saw a great deal of action last year.
Werneke expects the best out of his players as RU will once again face a tough non-conference and BIG EAST schedule. The first-year RU head coach believes his team can win immediately.
"My expectations are to win now, get to the top of the league and make it to the BIG EAST Tournament," said Werneke. "This team has a great deal of potential and it's the coaching staff's job to get the best of out of them."
SETTERS
At the setter position, the Scarlet Knights return their lone senior Roxy Calder, who dished out 4.39 assists per game last season. Calder ranks sixth all-time with 1,328 career assists at Rutgers.
"Roxy has been through the ropes," said Werneke. "It's her last season so she's going to have a lot of hunger and drive."
The Rutgers coaching staff also expects big things from freshman Kallie Pence. The Texas All-State performer will provide a great deal of depth at the setter position and could see a large amount of court time early on in her Scarlet Knight career.
"We have high expectations for Kallie because there is a great deal of talent there," said Werneke. "She has the ability to come in and contribute right away. It's experience against youth, but competition will bring out the best in both of them."
OUTSIDE HITTERS
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"Kyra is the veteran leader of this group," explained Werneke. "In addition to being talented, she's a leader, both through her actions and vocally."
Werneke also expects big things from sophomore Emma Chrystal, who led the team last year in assists (4.58 per game). She will contribute this season at the outside hitter position.
"After a really good freshman campaign as both a setter and outside hitter, we're really going to push Emma in camp as a hitter," said Werneke. "With her athleticism and the chance to focus on just the one position, we are expecting really good things from her."
Werneke also believes Caitlin Saxton, Katie Groff, Lauren Voss and Victoria Thomas could all contribute for the Scarlet Knights.
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
Coach Werneke thinks at least three or maybe four players will step up at this position this year. Returners Sophie Cook, Katie Barends and Lauren Voss, along with freshman Hannah Curtis will all find themselves in the mix for RU.
"Sophie's experience will be a great benefit for the team," said Werneke. "She can be a real stabilizing force in the middle. We also expect big things from the other girls as well though. Katie had a good spring and the addition of Hannah brings us a fantastic athlete that can compete right away."
LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
Like at almost every position, the Scarlet Knights have a great deal of depth and mix between experience and youthfulness at the Libero spot. Jamie Godfrey, who was second on the team in digs per game (2.75) last year returns and high school All-American Baylee Belflower hopes to make an immediate impact.
"Jamie coming in as a junior gives us some experience and we are really excited about what Baylee can do," said Werneke. "We also can plug in some of the outsides here, so we have a lot of options. All of this depth will create competition and that will force us to get better every day."
