Volleyball 8/29/2013 2:53:00 PM

OCU brings valuable experience into 2013

Stars return each player from last year's team

Five freshmen contributed heavily for the Stars last year.

Oklahoma City University will be prepared to display the work it put in during the off-season when volleyball season starts.
The Stars invested in their games and spent time in the weight room in an effort to improve on its 15-22 showing a year ago.
OCU begins the year at 9 a.m. CDT Friday against Faulkner (Ala.) in the Coastal Georgia Mariner Invitational at Brunswick, Ga. OCU coach Nikki Dieball has pushed her players from the end of last year into the preseason.
"We have to create that culture that we go hard to every ball," Dieball said. "We want that to be the OCU way. Go hard to the whistle. We're trying to hold them to that standard. Everything has been competitive. They know what's going to play a role in their playing time. We're happy with the girls and where we're going."
The Stars return 13 letter winners, seven of whom were freshmen. Five of those freshmen were significant contributors during last season.
"All those kids that played together have come back," said Dieball, in her third year as OCU coach. "The girls know how I coach and my system, so we were able to get right into it. They know how each other plays."
OCU returns every player from last year's squad since no Stars were seniors. The 2013 edition features four seniors, three of whom were freshmen when OCU captured the 2010 Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament championship and advanced to the NAIA Championships.
Danielle Robison has had the full off-season to dig into the nuances of being a libero. Robison, a senior from Dallas, became a second-team all-SAC choice after taking over the position last fall. She accumulated 4.07 digs and a league-high 0.50 aces per set.
"She's had a full year to learn the ins and outs of being a libero," Dieball said. "She has taken control of the defense like we want her to. She is so level-headed. She gives us stability on the floor. Probably the best teammate we have. She demands the best out of everybody. She will have a wonderful year."
Torrie Flynn patrols the middle of the net and keeps opponents at bay for OCU. Flynn, a senior from Edmond, Okla., generated 2.04 kills and 0.75 blocks per set last year. She has rung up 718 kills and 279 blocks as a Star.
"She will have more opportunities to block for us," Dieball said. "She will be instrumental in our success with her ability to block."
An in-depth look at the Stars:

Setter

Hannah Mitcham will look to build upon a freshman year where she snagged first-team all-league honors while posting 8.82 assists, 2.40 digs, 0.19 blocks and 0.16 aces per set. She became a two-time SAC setter of the week honoree.
"We worked on her decision making," Dieball said. "We are looking to increase her ability to see the whole floor. We want her to be more offensive-minded. She put a lot of work into the weight room."
Heather Watson provides backup at setter, but she also gained experience as a back-row and serving specialist last year. Watson averaged 1.54 digs and 0.19 aces a set.
"She provides us with depth defensively and at setter," Dieball said. "She reads the hitters well. She reads the defense well. We've looked a lot at her serve."

Libero/defensive specialist

Beyond Robison, OCU returns Anna Gentry, Kelley Shiels and Maggie Vickers, each of whom are veteran defensive specialists. Tori Thomas will see action for the first time after redshirting last year.
Gentry, a senior from Stillwater, Okla., recorded 2.12 digs a set in 2012. She owns 773 career digs at OCU. Dieball on Gentry: "She knows what it's like to be competitive. She gets to the ball so quickly. She makes plays you wouldn't think most people would."
Shiels, a junior from Edmond, Okla., chipped in 1.67 digs per set as a sophomore. Dieball said of Shiels, "She really worked her tail off in the off-season. She is in her best shape we've seen her in. Her defense has improved greatly. She has worked on her passing. We look for her to give us good play."
Vickers, a sophomore from Carrollton, Texas, added 2.21 digs and 0.21 aces a set for the Stars. Dieball on Vickers: "She will give us depth defensively. She's good at reading the ball. She has an aggressive serve."
Thomas, a redshirt freshman from Norman, Okla., has become known for her relentless effort. "She has a ridiculous ability to read the floor," Dieball said. "The ball doesn't hit the floor when she's out there. Her work ethic and passion for the game is unlike anyone I've ever seen."

Outside hitter/Right-side hitter

Meghan Irwin has been a starter since she first came to OCU with her fiery personality and offensive capability. Irwin, a junior from Arlington, Texas, netted 2.95 kills and 0.43 blocks a set while grabbing second-team all-SAC accolades last year.
"She is a dynamic hitter," Dieball said. "She closes the block. She reads the setter well. She brings a lot of excitement to the floor. I expect her to do a lot of good things. Her being efficient will elevate our offense."
Rachel Gabel showed a variety of skills as a freshman. Gabel, a sophomore from Richardson, Texas, averaged 2.35 kills, 1.99 digs, 0.22 blocks and 0.16 aces per set to earn honorable-mention all-SAC.
"She has developed into a terrific all-around player," Dieball said. "She's going to give us an offensive element in the back row. She has a wide array of shots to use. She's a very smart player. She finds ways to get around the block. She is starting to come on. She's athletic. She's smooth."
Tori Leisure had a promising freshman year for the Stars. Leisure, a sophomore from Haslet, Texas, put together 2.04 kills and 0.49 blocks a set in picking up honorable-mention all-conference.
"She is another dynamic hitter," Dieball said. "She hits the quick ball and is good at it. As the season progressed, she got better closing the block for us."
Chazmin Franklin, a sophomore from Bay City, Texas, gives OCU another option at outside hitter or on the right side.
"She has really good court vision," Dieball said. "She finds holes on the floor to score. She provides depth on both the outside and right-side hitter spots."
Kristen Macy became OCU's only recruit from the class of 2013. Macy, a freshman from Edmond, Okla., owns fine offensive ability.
"She is a very powerful hitter on the outside," Dieball said. "She has power and has the ability to find holes in the defense. She is a big-time competitor. She does a good job reading the defense. She is a very efficient back-row attacker."
Aspen Healy, a senior from Oklahoma City, will spend the season redshirting. Healy had been chosen as a team captain along with Robison.

Middle blocker

After Flynn, Delainey Messenger gives OCU depth at middle blocker. Messenger, a sophomore from Edmond, Okla., contributed 0.83 kills and 0.33 blocks a set last year.
"We spent a lot of time with her," Dieball said. "She is generating a lot more power. She is a great teammate."

OCU's experience figures to help turn around its 3-6 record in five-set matches from 2012. The Stars were expected to finish third in the SAC according to the preseason league coaches' poll.
"This will be the hardest preseason those girls have gone through," Dieball said. "We have amped it up. We lost a lot of matches in five sets. They're motivated not to let those mental lapses happen."

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Players Mentioned

#5 Torrie Flynn: MB/RSH; 6' 2"; Senior

#7 Chazmin Franklin: OH/RSH; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#8 Rachel Gabel: OH/RSH; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#2 Anna Gentry: DS/Libero; 5' 7"; Senior

#4 Aspen Healy: RSH/OH; 5' 11"; Senior

#11 Meghan Irwin: OH/MB; 6' 0"; Junior

#12 Tori Leisure: MB/OH; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#14 Delainey Messenger: MB; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#1 Hannah Mitcham: S; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#9 Danielle Robison: S/Libero; 5' 7"; Senior

#6 Kelley Shiels: DS/Libero; 5' 6"; Junior

#3 Tori Thomas: DS/Libero; 5' 6"; Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

#5 Torrie Flynn
: 6' 2"; Senior
: MB/RSH

#7 Chazmin Franklin
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: OH/RSH

#8 Rachel Gabel
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: OH/RSH

#2 Anna Gentry
: 5' 7"; Senior
: DS/Libero

#4 Aspen Healy
: 5' 11"; Senior
: RSH/OH

#11 Meghan Irwin
: 6' 0"; Junior
: OH/MB

#12 Tori Leisure
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MB/OH

#14 Delainey Messenger
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: MB

#1 Hannah Mitcham
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: S

#9 Danielle Robison
: 5' 7"; Senior
: S/Libero

#6 Kelley Shiels
: 5' 6"; Junior
: DS/Libero

#3 Tori Thomas
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Freshman
: DS/Libero