Oklahoma City University will strive to contend for the Sooner Athletic Conference volleyball championship with a solid core of experienced returning players.
Stars coach Jen Gomez will aim to make the move towards contention by looking for aggressive, competitive attitudes.
OCU went 33-8 and reached the conference tournament semifinals last year. The Stars open 2009 in the Oklahoma City Classic at 1 p.m. Friday against College of Saint Mary (Neb.) at Abe Lemons Arena. For the complete schedule and to order video of the tournament, click here.
“We have the core of our team back,” said Gomez (nee' Salmans). “We want to compete every day on the court. We will look for dynamic leaders to step up. We want to compete at a higher level every day.”
Xiaoting Ma became OCU's first NAIA volleyball all-American last season. Ma, a junior from Dalian, China, possesses a multitude of skills, recording a team-high 3.17 kills a set to go with 3.48 digs, 0.37 blocks and 0.34 aces a set last year. She will spearhead the Stars once again from her right-side hitter spot.
“She's gotten better,” Gomez said. “We are looking forward to seeing her come in stronger. She has become more accustomed to our system and her role. We are excited for the possibilities. We have worked on her blocking, which has to be better this year.”
The Stars test themselves early in the Concordia Labor Day Tournament on Sept. 5-6. That event will feature several top-25 NAIA teams.
“To be the best we have to play the best,” Gomez said. “Second or third in the conference will not do anymore. We want to win the conference. There will be a push for positions.”
A position-by-position look at the Stars:
Setter
OCU returns Vicky Murphy, who made second-team all-SAC as a freshman. Murphy, a sophomore from Spring, Texas, piled up big numbers, topping 50 assists five times and averaging 10.44 assists and 2.59 digs a set.
The Stars added Samantha Ball, who earned valuable experience at Pittsburg State (Kan.) last fall. Ball, a sophomore from Edmond, Okla., will likely share the setter duties with Murphy and provide additional choices for Gomez strategically.
“We have a lot of options,” Gomez said. “Vicky worked on her hitting and blocking this spring. Vicky got stronger and quicker. She has that season of experience under her belt and fine tuned herself.
“Sam brings tenacity. She ran an offense as a freshman. She has excellent hands. She reads the opposing team well and puts the ball wherever she wants. She can make our offense faster.”
Outside Hitter
Lindsay Hansen has started at this position since the program restarted her freshman year. Hansen, a senior from Moore, Okla., averaged 2.07 kills and 1.37 digs a set. She aims to help OCU take another step.
“I'm looking for her to be our steady offensive weapon to where if we get her the ball, she puts it away,” Gomez said. “She has added to her vertical. She worked on her shots. We want her to be a leader for us.”
Taylor Rowton may have had the best offseason among the team. Rowton, a sophomore from Edmond, Okla., has added to her offensive repertoire. She put up 1.92 kills a set in 2008.
“She has really improved,” Gomez said. “This last spring she dedicated herself to her physical conditioning. She has improved in all phases of her game. She has improved a ton on her blocking and her hitting has gotten better.”
Libero/Defensive Specialist
Shelbey Veselka took honorable-mention all-SAC honors last year, when she boasted of a 4.16 digs-per-set average and posted two 30-dig performances. Veselka, a junior from Boerne, Texas, combines fine anticipation with outstanding ball control as well as a tough serve.
“Her defense and ability to control the back row will be key to our offense,” Gomez said. “She did a great job as our libero. I look forward to seeing her mature into her role.”
Elizabeth Hendrix provides outstanding back-row play and serving ability when called upon. Hendrix, a junior from Edmond, Okla., put together 2.18 and 0.25 aces a set in 2008.
“She has the best passing technique I've seen,” Gomez said. “I expect her to be more confident in herself. She reads the opposition well and helps us get the ball. She has a good serve.”
Brittany Segars will aim to build upon a strong late-season performance last year. Segars, a senior from Keller, Texas, produced in the back row and uses her serve effectively.
“Britt did extremely well as a defensive specialist,” Gomez said. “She has a great jump serve which is a great weapon. We will utilize her to get a few points each match.”
Lucy Knight, a senior from Norman, Okla., consistently provides grit and hustle in a backup role. Gomez said, “She has become more comfortable and vocal. She may not be flashy, but she is consistent.”
Victoria Cross, a sophomore from Oklahoma City, joined the Stars from the OCU junior varsity. Gomez: “We brought her up on the varsity in the spring because of her instincts and ball awareness. We want to see her type of aggressiveness in the back row.”
Right-Side Hitter
Besides Ma, Jeannee Campbell makes plays in several areas. Campbell, a junior from San Antonio, recorded 2.42 kills, 1.73 digs and 0.37 blocks a set and made honorable-mention all-conference.
“We will be able to utilize her more effectively,” Gomez said. “She got quite a bit of time on the right side. Her blocks got better. She could be a big part of our dynamic offense.”
Middle Blocker
Adrienne Tillery will be OCU's most experienced hand at this position. Tillery, a junior from Carthage, Texas, provided backup for all-region pick Whitney Kress these past two years. Tillery, who averaged 1.32 kills and 0.51 blocks a set, can be imposing.
“We are looking for her to step into our void in the middle,” Gomez said. “She is excited and ready to take control. She is aggressive and provides an offensive presence.”
Alex Benbrook transferred in after a year at Rhode Island. Benbrook, a sophomore from Enid, Okla., will use her 6-foot-2 frame to stuff the opposition.
“She will help us solidifying the middle,” Gomez said. “She is quick and a good blocker. She is a good, smart hitter. She will help us be stronger offensively in the middle. Her experience will help our team.”
With the new pieces in place, Gomez expects to employ sets she has yet to use at OCU.
“I'm excited most about the experience we have and the possibilities out there,” Gomez said. “We want to be more creative on offense, and we have the personnel to do it. We expect our defense to be better. We want to be the best blocking team in the conference. We have a solid team.”
