Volleyball Ranked Fourth Nationally in Team Blocking
Sep 12 | Women's Volleyball
Scarlet Knights average 3.07 blocks per set as a squad, which is second best in the Big Ten
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Sept. 12, 2018) – Rutgers volleyball head coach CJ Werneke noted one of the keys to success this season was identifying strengths and capitalizing. One of those strengths – blocking – has been paying off dividends through the season's first 10 matches.
The Scarlet Knights are ranked fourth in the NCAA with 3.07 blocks per set through matches played on Sept. 11. They come in second in the Big Ten behind national leader Penn State's mark of 3.45. Rutgers has outblocked all but one opponent this season en route to already matching its win total from 2017 at 5-5.
"It's a product of focusing on technique and timing," Werneke said. "That combination was stressed during preseason and we knew it would be a strength. It's nice to see we're playing to it and it's paying off. We're going to rely on that area to score and make an impact in our matches."
Coming off a season-high 15 blocks in a win over Navy on Saturday, the Scarlet Knights have outdone opponents at the net defensively to the tune of 104.5 – 61.5. Rutgers has three players averaging a block or more per set, and a fourth just shy at 0.96. Ten players have at least one block in 2018.
Leading the charge is junior middle Stasa Miljevic, whose 1.50 blocks per set also has her name appearing in the NCAA statistical rankings with a 13th place national standing as of Sept. 11. The junior set a school record for stuffs in a four-set match with 10 total blocks against Navy and has led Rutgers in blocking in six matches.
Fellow junior middle Jasmine Stackhouse has 1.21 blocks per set, a consistent effort with at least four blocks in six of her eight matches early this year. The blocking is just part of a breakout beginning to the season for Stackhouse, who also ranks 21st in the nation with her .417 hitting percentage.
"Stasa and Jasmine are instrumental in the game plan and timing of our block," Werneke said. "Their experience is carrying over to those around them and their calls are putting the other blockers in beneficial situations."
Freshman middle Merle Weidt has averaged 1.17 blocks per set in early action, while sophomore right side Beka Kojadinovic (0.96 blocks per set) and senior outside hitter Sahbria McLetchie (0.82 blocks per set) are both off to the best blocking starts to their careers.
As a bonus, Rutgers has benefitted from the blocking prowess of freshman setter Inna Balyko, who already has 24 stuffs through 10 matches. Rutgers setters have combined for a total of 35 blocks in the 2016 and 2017 seasons combined.
The Scarlet Knights are set to conclude tournament season on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14-15 at UConn's Dog Pound Challenge, where they will face the host Huskies, along with St. John's and Holy Cross. The biggest defensive test will come against UConn, who ranks 39th in the nation with 13.95 kills per set.
Follow Rutgers Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram (@RUvball) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersVolleyball). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter(@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), Snapchat (@RUAthletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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The Scarlet Knights are ranked fourth in the NCAA with 3.07 blocks per set through matches played on Sept. 11. They come in second in the Big Ten behind national leader Penn State's mark of 3.45. Rutgers has outblocked all but one opponent this season en route to already matching its win total from 2017 at 5-5.
"It's a product of focusing on technique and timing," Werneke said. "That combination was stressed during preseason and we knew it would be a strength. It's nice to see we're playing to it and it's paying off. We're going to rely on that area to score and make an impact in our matches."
Coming off a season-high 15 blocks in a win over Navy on Saturday, the Scarlet Knights have outdone opponents at the net defensively to the tune of 104.5 – 61.5. Rutgers has three players averaging a block or more per set, and a fourth just shy at 0.96. Ten players have at least one block in 2018.
Leading the charge is junior middle Stasa Miljevic, whose 1.50 blocks per set also has her name appearing in the NCAA statistical rankings with a 13th place national standing as of Sept. 11. The junior set a school record for stuffs in a four-set match with 10 total blocks against Navy and has led Rutgers in blocking in six matches.
Fellow junior middle Jasmine Stackhouse has 1.21 blocks per set, a consistent effort with at least four blocks in six of her eight matches early this year. The blocking is just part of a breakout beginning to the season for Stackhouse, who also ranks 21st in the nation with her .417 hitting percentage.
"Stasa and Jasmine are instrumental in the game plan and timing of our block," Werneke said. "Their experience is carrying over to those around them and their calls are putting the other blockers in beneficial situations."
Freshman middle Merle Weidt has averaged 1.17 blocks per set in early action, while sophomore right side Beka Kojadinovic (0.96 blocks per set) and senior outside hitter Sahbria McLetchie (0.82 blocks per set) are both off to the best blocking starts to their careers.
As a bonus, Rutgers has benefitted from the blocking prowess of freshman setter Inna Balyko, who already has 24 stuffs through 10 matches. Rutgers setters have combined for a total of 35 blocks in the 2016 and 2017 seasons combined.
The Scarlet Knights are set to conclude tournament season on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14-15 at UConn's Dog Pound Challenge, where they will face the host Huskies, along with St. John's and Holy Cross. The biggest defensive test will come against UConn, who ranks 39th in the nation with 13.95 kills per set.
Follow Rutgers Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram (@RUvball) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersVolleyball). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter(@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), Snapchat (@RUAthletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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