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The University of Utah Athletics
2010 Utah Volleyball Preview: Experienced Veterans Highlight Setter/Libero Positions
8/19/2010 12:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 19, 2010
2010 Utah Volleyball Media Guide
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With the first serve of the 2010 Utah volleyball campaign eight days away, utahutes.com preps fans for the beginning of the season with a breakdown of the Ute roster as well as a look at the upcoming schedule. This is the fourth in a five-part series about the student-athletes Utah has at each position heading into the season as well as the competition they will face.
Experienced Veterans Highlight Setter/Libero Positions
Senior Stephanie Neeley, junior Abby Simmons and McKenzie Odale will coordinate the Ute attack this fall. Neeley and Simmons have been a starting tandem the past two seasons. Neeley is already sixth in school history with 1,946 career assists, 363 assists behind Katie Gesto (1984-86) for fifth place. Simmons ended last season 10th in the MWC with 5.43 assists per set. With two established players already at the position, Launiere enjoys the luxury of having Odale as a capable and athletic backup.
"I anticipate using two setters," Utah head coach Beth Launiere said. "McKenzie had a tremendous offseason so we've developed some nice competition in that position. All three setters are pushing each other. When you're running a two-setter system, having that third setter means you truly have a backup again, so we really have as much depth in that position as we've ever had. McKenzie adds a dimension to the position that is pretty amazing. Her athleticism and defensive ability might be the best of any setter we've ever had here.
Fisher returns for her fourth season as a starter for the Utes and her third in the libero position. The senior from Ririe, Idaho could arguably be listed as one of the top defensive players and passers Utah has had during Launiere's tenure.
Fisher had 437 digs in 2009, the fifth-highest single-season total in Utah history. She now has 1,110 digs in her career to rank fourth in school history heading into her senior year. She had 3.97 digs per set to rank fifth in the league last year and had 27 double-digit-dig performances last year and has 60 for her career.
"Keisha is right up there," Launiere said. "The most impressive thing is that she has started her whole career and been very good, but still made more progress this offseason than ever before. She absolutely takes over the back row now. Where as in the past we hoped she would [take over] and was getting stronger, now she know it's her role and everyone around her knows, too. It's undeniable. She's in charge back there. She's going to get it done."
Newcomers Charlee Dyroff and Nikki Sim will compete for playing time behind Fisher.
Libero Player Notes:
Charlee Dyroff
Fr. ? L ? 5-6 ? Boulder, Colo. ? Boulder H.S.
An exciting defensive player who is quick, athletic and plays with a tremendous amount of energy .... expected to have an impact ... a hard worker ... very self-motivated.
Keisha Fisher
Sr. ? L ? 5-7 ? Ririe, Idaho ? Skyline H.S.
Team captain in 2009 ... entering her fourth year as a starter and her third season as starting libero ... undeniable leader of back row ... made more progress this spring than she has during any offseason her whole career ... fourth in school history with 1,100 career digs, 437 shy of school record.
Nikki Sim
Fr. ? L ? 5-7 ? Salt Lake City, Utah ? Juan Diego H.S.
What she may not have in size, she has in heart ... a tremendous athlete who loves the game ... coaches are excited to have her because she is going to bring a ton of intensity.
Setter Player Notes:
Stephanie Neely
Sr. ? S ? 5-10 ? Saugus, Calif. ? Saugus H.S.
Had a great offseason and became a more confident player ... improved her defense a lot this spring ... has 1,946 career assists and is in sixth place on Utah's all-time career list, 363 assists behind Katie Gesto (1984-86) for fifth place ... 54 assists shy of becoming sixth member of Utah's 2,000-assist club ... owns 14 career double-doubles.
McKenzie Odale
So. ? S ? 5-11 ? Star, Idaho ? Eagle H.S.
Has tremendous physical abilities: athleticism, speed, and strength ... worked hard at her setting technique and location this spring and improved a lot .. has the ability to make a huge impact defensively.
Abby Simmons
Jr. ? S ? 6-0 ? Phoenix, Ariz. ? Desert Vista H.S.
Had an important offseason where she made some technical changes ... progressing toward becoming a more consistent setter ... she gets stronger every year ... will challenge for a setter spot and contribute to Utah's depth at the position ... good size and good hands ... owns seven career double-doubles.
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