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The University of Utah Athletics
2011 Utah Volleyball Preview: Outside Hitters
8/16/2011 12:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 16, 2011
2011 Utah Volleyball Media Guide
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With the first serve of the 2011 Utah volleyball campaign 10 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 for Utah's Pac-12 debut. This is the second 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.
Monday, Aug. 15: Right-side Hitters
Tuesday, Aug. 16: Outside Hitters
Wednesday, Aug. 17: Middle Blockers
Thursday, Aug. 18: Setter/Liberos
Friday, Aug. 19: Schedule
Morgan Odale Anchors Outside Hitters Heading Into 2011:
Last season's Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, Morgan Odale, returns as Utah's top offensive option. Odale finished in the MWC's top 10 in six different statistical categories during her freshman season.
"We depended on Morgan a lot as a freshman last season," Launiere said. "She responded and grew every match then made technical and physical changes during the offseason which will make her that much better. We're excited to have her take on more responsibility and on-court leadership this year."
Sophomore Brooke McAlister is a big, talented offensive player who has all-around skills. Last season, her best performance was when she posted a season-high 15 kills on 44 attempts with two blocks, two service aces and an assist in a five-set win at Northwestern.
"[McAlister] has had two knee surgeries since the season ended," Launiere said. "She gained a lot experience last year and this will be her third in the program. For Brooke, it really is just about how her knees hold up. When she's healthy, she does good things. She can be an offensive weapon for us. She's also a good blocker."
Junior Natalie Nichols along with freshmen Shelby Dalton, Becca Fuchs and Chelsey Schofield will supply the depth in the outside hitter position for Utah.
Nichols appeared in three matches last season for the Utes and corralled three digs at Wyoming.
"[Nichols] had a great offseason," Launiere said. "She continues to amaze with us with the improvement that she makes. She played in a couple of tournaments this spring and made some big plays for us."
Dalton was a versatile prep athlete at Grand County High School in Moab, Utah. In addition to starring in volleyball, she was a pitcher on the 2010 state champion softball team and also was a center on the basketball team.
"[Dalton] is an intriguing player to us," Launiere said. "She comes in after an impressive career at Grand County High School, where she was an all-state selection in volleyball, basketball and softball. She is a big, physical player and her potential is high."
Fuchs led Menomonee Falls (Wis.) High School to the semifinals of the 2010 WIAA State Tournament. She played club volleyball for Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold and was selected to the Prep Volleyball Showcase All-Tournament Team in 2010.
"[Fuchs] is a nice athlete and a very good jumper, who will be exciting to watch," Launiere said. "She has played the game a lot and has a high volleyball IQ."
Schofield, a product of Mountain View High School in Provo, Utah, was named to PrepVolleyball.com's Top 100 team.
"[Schofield] is one of the more skilled players to ever come into the program as a freshman," Launiere said. "She has been playing the game for a very long time. She's athletic, long and has a lot of shots. She can play with finesse but put the ball away as well."
Outside Hitter Player Notes:
Shelby Dalton
Fr. ? OH/MB ? 6-1 ? Moab, Utah ? Grand County H.S.
Comes to Utah after being a three-sport star at Grand County High School ... an all-state selection in volleyball, basketball and softball ... won the state tournament as a softball pitcher during her junior year ... did not participate in club volleyball ... a big, physical kid who could grab the rim of a basketball hoop as a sophomore ... a nice athlete who has high potential ... has played both the middle and outside hitter positions.
Becca Fuchs
Fr. ? OH ? 5-11 ? Menomonee Falls, Wis. ? Menomonee Falls H.S.
A very good jumper who is a nice athlete ... has played the game a lot ... both of her parents played volleyball so she has a high volleyball IQ ... an exciting player to watch.
Brooke McAlister
R-So. ? OH ? 6-0 ? Pleasant Grove, Utah ? Pleasant Grove H.S.
Had a good offseason, improved technically and physically ... will be ready to go physically ... gained a lot of experience as a redshirt freshman last season and in the spring as well ... a big, talented offensive player with all-around skills.
Natalie Nichols
Jr. ? OH ? 5-10 ? Salt Lake City, Utah ? Olympus H.S.
Had a great offseason ... continues to amaze coaching staff with improvement ... took advantage of a lot of playing time during spring practice and tournaments and made some big plays ... works as hard as anyone on the team ... has a great attitude.
Morgan Odale
So. ? OH ? 6-1 ? Star, Idaho ? Eagle H.S.
Primed to be a key player for Utah after another year of collegiate conditioning ... as good as she was as a freshman, she has elevated her game to another level ... made some technical changes in her swing ... improved technically in her passing ... gained a lot of experience last year and handled a lot of responsibility as freshman.
Chelsey Schofield
Fr. ? OH ? 6-1 ? Provo, Utah ? Mountain View H.S.
Comes to Utah as one of the more skilled players who has ever come into the program as a freshman ... has been playing the game for a very long time ... a very skilled player who has length ... has a lot of finesse but can put the ball away as well ... possesses a wide a variety of shots ... a very smart and heady player ... also a very good passer for her size.
Players Mentioned
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/ VolleyballGet to know new Utah Volleyball Head Coach Alyssa D'Errico.
Wednesday, December 10
Utah Volleyball Press Conference - 12.10.25
Wednesday, December 10
ESPN+ Feature | Utah Volleyball's Leah Wilton-LaBoy
Thursday, November 20
ESPN+ Feature | Utah Volleyball's Devyn Weist
Thursday, November 06