Volleyball 8/22/2012 3:51:00 PM

Revamped Stars look for brighter days

OCU starts season with Oklahoma City Classic on Friday, Saturday

From left, Anna Gentry, Torrie Flynn and Danielle Robison will play pivotal roles for the Stars this season.

Oklahoma City University attracted many recruits to its volleyball program that will be talented but will lack experience at the college level.
With a roster of mostly newcomers, the Stars aim to change their fortunes from a 12-25 season in 2011.
OCU begins its year in the Oklahoma City Classic against Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) at 3 p.m. Friday at Abe Lemons Arena. OCU coach Nikki Dieball expects a renewed attitude among her squad.
“I'm so excited,” said Dieball, in her second year at the OCU helm. “The culture will be different because of the recruiting class we've brought in.”
OCU's leadership will come from a trio of juniors since the team features no seniors.
Torrie Flynn, a middle blocker from Edmond, Okla., will play an integral role for the team offensively as well as up front defensively. Flynn amassed 1.66 kills and 0.67 blocks while leading the team with a .188 hitting percentage.
“Torrie turned it on at the end of last year,” Dieball said. “I think she'll carry that into this season. Her blocking is improved, and her quickness is good.”
Anna Gentry, a libero-defensive specialist from Stillwater, Okla., provides OCU with a fine back-row defensive presence along with a deadly serve. Gentry accumulated 2.52 digs per set while tying for the team lead with 0.23 aces a set.
“She is a workhorse who does anything and everything you ask,” Dieball said. “Anna came off a pretty good season where she contributed well for us defensively.”
Danielle Robison, a setter from Dallas, served as the Stars' primary assist producer as a sophomore. Robison posted 10.04 assists a set to rank third in the Sooner Athletic Conference to go along with 2.74 digs a frame.
“We're looking for her to contribute in big ways,” Dieball said. “She is a rare setter that plays great defense. She has great placement of the ball. She gained a lot of confidence last year and helps our hitters with her decision making.”
A closer look at the Stars:

Returners

Aspen Healy, a junior right-side hitter-outside hitter from Oklahoma City, has invested heavily in her game in a bid for a greater role on the team.
“The change I've seen since she came to our gym is astronomical,” Dieball said of Healy. “Her work ethic is incredible. She will see significant playing time this year. She sets the block well. She will be a true threat offensively.”
Meghan Irwin, a sophomore outside hitter-middle blocker from Arlington, Texas, is the Stars' most decorated returnee. Irwin garnered honorable-mention all-SAC honors after recording 2.27 kills, 1.85 digs, 0.60 blocks and 0.23 service aces per set as a freshman. She tied for the team lead in aces (31) and aces per set (0.23) and ranked third with 300 kills.
“We're going to look to her as one of our dominant outside threats,” Dieball said. “She did a great job just stepping into a big role as a freshman. She handled it well. She thrives off competition and does what it takes to be the best. She spent a lot of time perfecting her shot selection.”
Kelley Shiels, a sophomore defensive specialist from Edmond, Okla., produced in limited appearances last season.
“She has improved significantly,” Dieball said. “She stepped in and played well. She is getting comfortable with our system. Kelley did a lot in the weight room and improved physically. She could step in for us.”

Newcomers

OCU's recruiting class is comprised of these newcomers:
Chazmin Franklin, a freshman outside hitter-right side hitter, joins the Stars after becoming all-Magorda County most valuable player out of Bay City, Texas.
“We will look at Chaz to play a significant role,” Dieball said of Franklin. “She has a loaded arm swing. She can put the ball away with force. She is a great kid. She is super coachable and has such a desire to get better.”
Rachel Gabel, a freshman outside hitter-right-side hitter from Richardson, Texas, became a two-time all-district choice for Richardson Berkner (Texas).
“She has a great finesse game,” Dieball said. “She has great ball control and will do what it takes to score points. She is really crafty.”
Tori Leisure, a freshman middle blocker from Haslet, Texas, could have the opportunity to log duty immediately.
“Tori has the quickest arm swing I've seen,” Dieball said. “She reads the defense and closes the block well. She'll be a big contributor.”
Delainey Messenger, a freshman middle blocker from Edmond, Okla.,
“I am excited to work with her,” Dieball said. “She has potential. I am excited to see how she'll fit in.”
Hannah Mitcham, a freshman setter from Fort Worth, Texas, led her club team to the national tournament this summer. She will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact on the team.
“She comes from a great volleyball background,” Dieball said. “Her leadership ability impressed me. If one of her teammates made a mistake, she would be the first one to pick her up. She sees both sides of the floor. She sets up her hitters well. She's 5-foot-9 so that will help.”
Tori Thomas, a freshman defensive specialist from Norman, Okla., became the first member of OCU's recruiting class. She has earned a reputation for giving maximum effort on the floor.
“She's a fierce competitor who hates to lose,” Dieball said. “She makes the extra play. She hustles everywhere and is full of energy.”
Maggie Vickers, a freshman outside hitter from Carrollton, Texas, became a three-time all-district performer for Carrollton R.L. Turner (Texas).
“We would look at her as an outside or a defensive player,” Dieball said. “She would add to our defensive attack. Her finesse game is good.”
Heather Watson, a freshman setter from Edmond, Okla., led Edmond North to the state championship match.
“She comes from a great volleyball background,” Dieball said. “She is very capable of helping us. She takes coaching well and transfers that quickly onto the court. She runs a quick offense.”
Elizabeth Ramirez, a sophomore defensive specialist from Oklahoma City, and Samantha Rudder, a freshman defensive specialist from Noble, Okla., will spend the season developing their skills as redshirts.

OCU will be laden with rookies this season. The Stars have been predicted to finish fifth place in the SAC.
“We're going to be young, but I know the girls will work hard and have good attitudes,” Dieball said. “The sky's the limit.”

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