2010 Volleyball Position-By-Position

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From SMUMustangs.com:

2010 Volleyball Position-By-Position
SMU volleyball begins the 2010 season on Friday, Aug. 27 against Butler at the Baylor Invite
Aug. 23, 2010

DALLAS (SMU) --- With the season only days away, SMU volleyball head coach Lisa Seifert continues to prepare the Mustangs for the 2010 campaign.

The Mustangs kick off the 2010 season this Friday, Aug. 27 when they face Butler at 4:00 p.m. at the two-day Baylor Invite in Waco, Texas. On Saturday, SMU faces off with host Baylor at 12:30 p.m. before meeting Stephen F. Austin at 5:00 p.m. in the final day of the event.

Before the season begins officially, SMU will host its final team scrimmage, which is open to the public, at 6:30 p.m. at Moody Coliseum on Tuesday, Aug 24. Fans are encouraged to attend.

Outside Hitters

The Mustangs return six of their top eight playmakers from one of the more successful teams in program history. A key to success this season will be the return of Mustang pin hitters Kathryn Wilkerson and Dana Powell.

Powell, who was named as an Honorable Mention AVCA All-American last season, returns to anchor one of the outside hitter positions. The junior led the Mustangs in kills last season with 3.76 per set. "She was just a sophomore when she was having that success. It's beyond words, to know that we will have her for two more years along with the others," head coach Lisa Seifert said.

Joining Powell on the outside is senior Kathryn Wilkerson. Wilkerson, who is one of only six players in Mustang history to amass over 1,000 career totals in both kills and digs, finished second on the team last season with 2.75 kills per set. "Kathryn Wilkerson anchors us with her ball handling ability," coach Seifert explained. "In terms of overall skill, Kathryn is a very good volleyball player. She is a great leader and a really super kid."

Annie Begin, who missed the 2009 season with an injury, will split time between libero and outside hitter this season. "Annie is working right now to get through the injuries," coach Lisa Seifert said. "She is working to get her arm swing and heat on the ball back."

Newcomer Becky Wallander rounds out SMU's pin hitters. "Becky's strong and hits one shot really well right now," coach Seifert explained about the freshman.

Right Side Hitters:

Junior Jessica Oliver returns and continues her transition from a left-side hitter to the right side. Oliver averaged 1.68 kills per set last season. "Jessica Oliver had a tremendous spring and has a lot of confidence coming into the fall," coach Seifert said about the junior. "We brought her over to the right side, from the left, because of her ability to block and take out the opponent's left-side attacker."

Senior Kenzie Bukolt, who has fought off injuries during her career, will also provide outside support to the Mustangs. "Kenzie, who is a great kid, has unfortunately spent the majority of her career either injured or rehabbing," said coach Seifert. "On any given day, when she is feeling good, Kenzie can be amazing."

Middle Blockers

A key component for the Mustangs in 2010 is finding a replacement for AVCA All-American Honorable Mention Kendra Kahanek. Kahanek, who finished her career as the SMU leader in blocks with 530, played an integral part in the Mustangs leading Conference USA in blocks per set last season.

Courtney Manning, who averaged 1.19 blocks per set last season, will fill in as middle blocker for the Mustangs in 2010. "I think Courtney Manning did a very good job last year as freshman, but she is still just a sophomore. Again, you're looking at experience," coach Seifert explained. "Is Courtney talented enough? Yes. But being a sophomore in that position is a very tough position to play in the game of volleyball."

Senior Caitlin Adair, who at 6'4" is SMU's tallest player, returns to provide help in the middle. Adair averaged 0.70 blocks per set last season. "Caitlin is a very good blocker and we continue to work on her ability to attack for kills," said coach Seifert.

Newcomer Caroline Daly enters the SMU program from Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. "Caroline Daly is the only attacker in the freshman group," coach Seifert said. "She has really impressed me so far. Kudos to her club coaches for training her. While skill wise she isn't near where Kendra Kahanek got to, Caroline Daly is ahead, right now, of where Kendra was as a freshman. "

Setters

Kelli Becerra, who as a sophomore ranked fifth in Conference USA with 10.4 assists per set, returns to her starting role with the Mustangs. "Kelli Becerra won 19 games last season and you can't replace that type of experience," said coach Seiftert.

Kendrick Koch, who redshirted last season, will help to provide depth this season at setter. "Kendrick had a good spring and has had a good camp so far," coach Seifert explained. "We're still working on Kendrick in our system, because she missed last season with an injury."

Liberos

Sidney Stewart returns to the libero position for the Mustangs in 2010. Stewart led the Mustangs with 4.66 digs per set last season." I believe Sidney Stewart is one of the best liberos in Conference USA," coach Seifert said about the returning starter.

Susan Lewis helps round out the libero position for SMU. "Susan is a player that can help this program in multiple ways," said coach Seifert.

Defensive Specialists

Newcomers Meghan Janette, Sandra Neason, Bethany Voss and Becky Wallander make up SMU's defensive specialist corps.

When asked about the freshman defensive specialists Lisa Seifert responded "It's difficult to answer, because I can't really compare them at this moment. We have five kids in this year's class and four of them are in the same position group. I recruited this many defensive specialists in one class, quite frankly, to make our attackers better. What has happened in the past is that, while we are playing sixes in practice, our star attackers have crushed every ball. Well now, that ball is coming up and our attackers have had to become more aggressive, more creative and more patient to find their kills. What they have brought is not only a high level of skill, but in the practice gym, they are going to make the starting attackers better. They're making the entire gym better. From that standpoint, I'm happy and impressed."

For tickets to SMU volleyball matches, call the SMU Ticket Office at 214-SMU-GAME (214-768-4263), or log on to SMUMustangs.com.

[smu diamond m]

Does GSP still complain about this team?