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The University of Utah Athletics
Countdown to First Serve (2013 @UtahVolleyball Preview): Middle Blockers
8/20/2013 12:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug 20, 2013
2013 Utah Volleyball Media Guide
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-- Utah Volleyball (@UtahVolleyball) August 20, 2013
SALT LAKE CITY - With the University of @UtahVolleyball team starting its 2013 season on Aug. 30, UtahUtes.com will once again break down the Utes' roster position-by-position. Today's edition examines Utah's lineup of middle blockers.
2013 UtahUtes.com Volleyball Position-By-Position Preview
Monday, Aug. 19: Outside Hitters
Tuesday, Aug. 20: Middle Blockers
Wednesday, Aug. 21: Right-Side Hitters
Thursday, Aug. 22: Setters/Liberos
Friday, Aug. 23: Schedule
Middle Blockers
Five Utes will be at the center of the Utah lineup in the middle blocker position this fall to lead a unit that helped Utah place sixth in the NCAA and second in the Pac-12 blocking (3.00/set) in 2013. Led by senior, All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention selection Erin Redd-Brandon and junior Bailey Bateman, the Utes were also second in the league 2.94 blocks per set in league play.
"Last year, we were low on depth in the middle and so we worked at bringing in additional players in there," Head Coach Beth Launiere said. "Obviously, Bailey and Erin are both proven middle blockers in this conference."
As a sophomore last season, Bateman was Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII Second Team selection and received Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention recognition. The Hooper, Utah native ranked ninth in the NCAA, second in the Pac-12 with 1.54 blocks per set and second in the Pac-12 with 1.52 blocks per set in league play.
"Bailey put up some big blocking numbers and Erin is an offensive go-to player for us," Launiere said. "Again, we have a couple of proven commodities who are a junior and a senior and are ready to go."
Sophomore Eden Frazier along with freshmen Carly Trueman and Alyssa Koenig will be counted on to provide depth throughout the season.
"Eden has a good year under her belt and improved a lot during the spring," Launiere said. "She has a good mentality and is a good competitor.
"Trueman is coming in straight off the Junior A1 Team. She's as good of an athlete as anyone we've ever had in this program. She's a phenomenal athlete, who could play in some different positions. We're not sure where we're going to play her yet, but she's one of those athletes who were excited to have in the gym.
"Alyssa brings good size and length to the position. Obviously, freshmen have to adjust to the Pac-12 and college level, but we have as much depth in that position as we've had in a long time. We're excited about what Alyssa can bring to the middle blocker position."
Middle Blocker Player Notes
Bailey Bateman ? 6-0 ? Jr. ? Hooper, Utah ? Fremont H.S.
Emerged as one of the top blockers in the Pac-12 this season ... waited her turn during 2011 and has taken full advantage when her opportunity came ... exciting, dynamic and fast middle, a little bit different than the style Utah has had in the past ... quicker than most middles and still plays the game high ... a competitor who loves to win ... 182 block assists in 2012 is the third most in a season in school history ... fifth on Utah's single-season total blocks chart with 188.
Eden Frazier ? 6-1 ?So. ? Irvine, Calif. ? Woodbridge H.S.
A tremendous athlete who works very hard and has a great attitude ... wants to learn ... makes strides all of the time when she's in the gym ... has a great attitude and works hard.
Alyssa Koenig ? 6-2 ? Fr. ? Arroyo Grande, Calif. ? Arroyo Grande H.S.
Brings size and length to Utah's middle blocker position ... will need time to adjust to college game at the Pac-12.
Erin Redd-Brandon ? 6-3 ? Sr. ? Spanish Fork, Utah ? Spanish Fork H.S.
In three years as a starter, Redd-Brandon has become one of the top blockers in the Pac-12 ... has assumed a mentor role to help younger players ... believes that she is one of the best players in the Pac-12 ... will be a focal point of the Ute attack, while continuing to be one of the conference's top blockers this season.
Carly Trueman ? 6-1 ? Fr. ? Tucson, Ariz. ? Tucson High Magnet School
As good of an athlete as Utah has ever had ... coaching staff is excited to get her in the gym ... may play multiple positions for the Utes ... selected to the USA Volleyball Junior A1 Team program last summer.
Players Mentioned
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/ VolleyballGet to know new Utah Volleyball Head Coach Alyssa D'Errico.
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ESPN+ Feature | Utah Volleyball's Leah Wilton-LaBoy
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