Oklahoma City University has built its volleyball team on height to improve its fortunes in 2010.
The Stars fortified the front line in recruiting and expect better blocking to impact the team as a whole.
OCU begins the season 3 p.m. Friday against Oklahoma Wesleyan in the OCU Classic at Abe Lemons Arena.
“Our focus will be on being a better blocking team,” OCU coach Jen Gomez said. “We need to utilize our height. We will be better defensively, which can help us transition to offense better.
“This should be fun. This is our tallest team. We have height, athleticism and experience. There's going to be a battle at middle blocker. All of them will see significant time there. It will be a battle at libero.”
Xiaoting Ma added two-time all-American, all-conference and all-region to her list of accolades while with OCU. Ma, a senior right-side hitter from Dalian, China, led the team with 3.53 kills and 3.91 points a set to go with 2.84 digs and 0.45 blocks a set.
“We look for her to be on the outside and pick up where she left off,” Gomez said. “Teams focused on her last year, but we have a deeper team, so we can take pressure off her. She brings stability and leadership to the court.”
Alex Benbrook became an all-Sooner Athletic Conference and all-region performer in her debut season as the Stars' middle blocker. Benbrook, a junior from Enid, Okla., averaged 2.21 kills and 2.75 points, leading the squad with a .268 hitting percentage and 0.88 blocks a set. She is expected to improve even more as she gains more experience.
“We are looking to see even more out of her,” Gomez said. “It took a little bit to get into the flow. She stepped up late in the season, and it carried into her off-season work. She's stronger and faster. She's quick to the block. She will be key to shutting down the opponent's offense.”
A closer look at the Stars position by position:
Setter
Samantha Ball emerged as OCU's main setter last year and piloted the offense smoothly. Ball, a junior from Edmond, Okla., picked up all-SAC acclaim while recording 7.94 assists and 1.73 digs a set. Her numbers grew to 10.16 assists, 2.16 digs and 0.22 blocks after she took over as the primary setter.
“We are looking for her to come on strong,” Gomez said. “She's better. She has really worked on her defense. We look for her to be a leader on the court and execute our offense. She has solid hands and knows where to put the ball.”
Danielle Robison joined the Stars to provide depth at setter. Robison, a freshman from Dallas, became all-city setter of the year as a senior.
Gomez: “She's got great club experience with a high-caliber team. She's very talented at putting up a great ball. She plays defense. She worked on her vertical. With any freshman setter, there's a transition, but her experience may shorten her learning curve.”
Outside Hitter
Raissa Santos should provide a dynamic presence at outside hitter. Santos, a junior from Sao Paulo, Brazil, became an all-conference and all-district pick at Coffeyville (Kan.) last year. She led her team in kills and service aces.
“She's a smart hitter and finds the holes in the block,” Gomez said. “She brings an awesome vertical. She's just as effective in the back row. She will be solid after being a two-year starter on the collegiate level.”
Taylor Rowton provides a veteran presence at outside hitter and right-side hitter. Rowton, a junior from Edmond, Okla., posted 1.21 kills and 0.36 blocks a set last year.
“She is diverse and comfortable on both sides,” Gomez said. “She's ready to make a significant contribution. She's been working on her jumping ability. Her key will be to get into rhythm.”
Libero/Defensive Specialist
Kayli Jordan holds the early edge in the race to start at libero due to her junior-college experience. Jordan, a junior from Cheyenne, Wyo., became a two-time region tournament all-tournament selection at Laramie County (Wyo.).
“I'm looking for her to fill the libero position,” Gomez said. “She is extremely aggressive on the court. She's ready to move and make adjustments. She's confident and vocal in the back row. She's feisty and will be fun to watch.”
Victoria Cross brings toughness to the back row. Cross, a junior from Oklahoma City, is expected to fill a role as a defensive specialist.
“She has been improving after playing significantly last year as a defensive specialist,” Gomez said.
“I like what I see. She is more vocal. She likes to get on the floor. She's tenacious. She's hungry to get on the court.”
Anna Gentry, a freshman from Stillwater, Okla., has instincts and skills suited to the libero and defensive specialist roles. Gomez: “She had really good club experience. She has great fundamentals and good ball control. She reads the block well. She may take time to learn our system, but she may make a contribution.”
Middle Blocker
Torrie Flynn should play a significant role using her offensive and defensive capabilities along with her 6-foot-2 height. Flynn, a freshman from Edmond, Okla., became an all-stater with Edmond North (Okla.).
“She'll compete for one of the middle blocker positions,” Gomez said. “She's aggressive and tough. With her blocking skills and offensive ability, she will present us with many options.”
Right-side Hitter
Vicky Murphy has transitioned from setter to right-side hitter. Murphy, a junior from Spring, Texas, can set up a fine block and use her setter experience to contribute. Murphy averaged 3.14 assists and 1.47 digs last year.
“Vicky has really stepped her game up not only as a hitter but also as a leader,” Gomez said. “She's become more comfortable as a hitter and more confident. She can get quick sets if she needs to. She worked hard on her jumping ability.”
Gomez projects her team's depth to be an advantage in aiding OCU to contention in the rugged Sooner Athletic Conference.
“Everything is up in the air,” Gomez said about the team's roles. “It means we've recruited talented players. We have six new ones, and it will be a good mix. We expect our core group to get our newcomers acclimated to the system. I expect this team to be solid once we get comfortable in our roles.”
