2007 Crimson Tide Volleyball Preview
8/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- If there is one thing to be said about the volleyball program at the University of Alabama, it is that the team, along with its coaching staff, is constantly moving forward.
Coming off its second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, the team looks to build on that success in 2007. The Crimson Tide had a stellar season in 2006, resulting in a 19-13 overall record and a 12-8 conference mark. The Tide also returns four seniors, guaranteeing leadership and experience as it heads into the pre-season.
"If we qualify for the NCAA tournament again, our goal will be to put ourselves in a better position and be better prepared for any situation that may come along during match play," said Alabama head coach Judy Green. "That is where we will have to recall all the experiences we have been through in the past. It's a very comforting thought to know we return four seniors who have been major contributors for us all four seasons here."
Although the team is still looking for its first NCAA tournament win, the Tide should not be displeased with its accomplishments from 2006. Last season the Tide set attendance records at the CAVE, and produced its second AVCA All-American and one National Player of the Week. In addition, Alabama posted its eighth consecutive winning season, despite the rigorous schedule, and upset two top-20 squads in the process. On October 8, 2006, the Tide upset No. 10 LSU and became the first team to defeat a squad ranked in the top 10 nationally. A few weeks later the Tide upset No. 18 Tennessee.
Undeniably, this Alabama squad is soaring to new heights and bases its success on hard work and dedication.
Coach Green and her staff will look for innovative ways to move the team to the next level this season. Green will challenge her team by producing the most challenging schedule since she inherited the program in 1996. The 2007 team will not mention the NCAA tournament as they move into the preseason, instead they will adopt, discuss and focus on words like consistency, dedication and determination.
"I don't think we are going to talk about the NCAA tournament when we report for pre-season practice on Aug. 8," said Green. "We are just going to talk about being the best team in the practice gym on a daily basis, work on being committed to doing things on and off the court that will make us successful and making sure we are committed to improving as a team throughout the whole length of the season. I also think we need to learn how to finish strong. I feel that that is the one area we need to improve on during the pre-season, learning how to finish what we start stronger than when we start it."
Entering her 12th season at the Capstone, Green welcomes back the bulk of the 2006 team, including the most successful senior class in the history of the program. Losing only a few key contributors from last years squad, this year's Tide team is more experienced and has more depth than previous squads.
"Over the course of the spring and summer we saw this team mature more together," Green said. "I think they found over the spring there was room to grow in that area. I don't feel like we will have to rely on our new players like we had to last year. Everyone is going to be competing for positions and having that competition will make them work harder. Having some depth now makes the competition escalate itself, but it has been healthy completion. That is where I have seen them grow, they have learned to compete with each other more on the court and off the court they have learned to be better teammates. I feel like the players are poised and confident and ready to be a team that people will remember."
Headlining the team are seniors Bridget Fuentez and Crystal Hudson. Fuentez, an outside hitter from Tomball, Texas, received 2nd team All-SEC honors after a stellar junior campaign where she finished eighth in the SEC in kills (405). One of the most versatile players for the Tide, Fuentez finished second in kills (405) and second in digs (297) and led the team in attack attempts (1199).
Along with Fuentez, Hudson also returns as a key contributor for the Tide on both sides of the ball. An All-American and All-SEC middle blocker from Hueytown, Hudson emerged as a dominant force in the middle during the season, finishing with 452 kills, good enough for sixth place in the SEC and first on the team. Hudson also led the team in blocks (125) and was third in attack attempts (903).
In October, Hudson was recognized for her outstanding performances against Tennessee and Kentucky as she was named AVCA National Player of the Week. In those two matches, Hudson had 34 kills in 42 attempts and hit .634 in the Tide's two victories.
"Hudson and Fuentez are going to have to do what they do best consistently in order for our team to be successful," said Green. "Hudson and Fuentez are two special players; they are the bookends of our team. Fuentez sticks with her core values and beliefs no matter what and is one of the most determined athletes we have had in our program. Everyone has a great work ethic, but she is more diligent about it. She is quality over quantity, so she will do that for us this season.
"Hudson must be the personality of our team and she has to bring that night in and night out. For Hudson, being a kid at heart is what makes her who she is and it is that attraction that reaches out and grabs you. When she does something fun on the court and responds toward her teammates it lifts the whole level of our team. I also know that she now has a belief that she is one of the best players in the nation at her position and her height. At 5-11 she is an undersized middle blocker, but no one has her speed and athleticism to play the game."
To compliment Fuentez on the outside is redshirt sophomore Brooks Webster. Last season, Webster saw action in 113 of the Tide's 115 games and tallied 908 attack attempts, good for second on the team.
"Brooks made the most improvement this spring and continues to get better," said Green. "As she grows in her physical skills she is learning to apply those when she plays especially if she gets fed a lot of balls during a game. She is maturing as a volleyball player and she had an incredible spring. I think she will see a little more passing responsibilities this season but her athleticism and her ability to jump and hit a variety a shots is unparalleled."
Redshirt freshman Calli Johnson and junior Lindsey Buteyn will compete for the second middle position heading into fall camp. Buteyn was second on the team in hitting percentage (.378) last fall as she saw action in 11 games. Johnson did not compete last fall.
Another key factor in the Tide's success this fall will be senior setter Brigitte Slack. Slack led the team in assists (1,337) last fall and is 182 assists shy of breaking the all-time record of 4,333 set by Jennifer Miller in 1992. Slack will bring leadership and poise to a veteran squad and will produce a balanced offense sure to find success in the SEC.
"Slack is entering her fourth year directing our offense," said Green. "She understands what we want and she knows the ins and outs of her teammates and what they need. I think she is entering the fall season with the opportunity to establish herself as the most successful setter Alabama has ever seen, but I think she also has the opportunity to be the best setter in the SEC. I feel very confident in her leading our team. I think she feels good about herself and she is in great shape. What we need is for her to come in every day with a clear mind and be consistent."
Opposite of Slack on the right side will be sophomore Liz Salstrand who gained invaluable experience as a true freshman last season. Salstrand saw action in 105 games and emerged as an offensive and defensive threat, posting 121 kills and 95 blocks.
Anchoring the defense for the Tide will be junior Amy Pauly who served as the designated libero last season. Pauly received the SEC Defensive Player of the Week nod three times last season as she led the team in digs (520) and digs per game (4.29). Pauly also broke the single match school record in digs after she recorded 39 against Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
"Amy is a dynamite player and she established herself as one of the best defensive players in the conference last season," said Green. "She worked hard this spring at being a better passer and I think she really improved that skill."
Rounding out the veteran squad is senior co-captain Megan Hudson who will enter the season as a defensive specialist. Hudson was third on the team in digs last season and saw action in 92 games.
"Megan is one of those people that makes something positive happen out of every situation," said Green. "She is going to enter her senior season as a defensive specialist that will certainly find a way on the court. She is a player that knows how to win and she plays with every piece of her heart and soul. Once she gets into a competitive situation she is a natural leader and I think people tend to follow a natural leader. She worked unbelievably hard in the off season to become a better passer and she improved an already good serve. She is a kid that is going to get a ball up."
With five starters returning from last season, Green has a wealth of experienced talent to work with. But as it goes every season, a championship program must add fresh talent to the mix each fall. This year, the Tide welcomes Mary Catherine Aune, Lauren Martin and Alyssa Meuth to the roster. Like the freshmen from a year ago, this young group will challenge the veterans for a spot on the court as they transition from high school to college volleyball.
"I don't feel like we will have to rely on our new players like we had to last year," said Green. "It's good because it gives our first year players time to learn and get relaxed in our system and get used to this level of play because it is different than what they play."
A program's success comes from the consistent performance of the players year after year and that is what Coach Green and the Crimson Tide have done at Alabama. Without looking back, the 2007 squad hopes to build on the success of the previous squads and leave its own mark in the history books.
With a solid foundation and a handful of athletic newcomers, Green and her team are ready for another successful season in the CAVE this fall.
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