2008 Woodie Awards
Team chemistry equals strong attitudes
Zachary Groves
Issue date: 9/4/07 Section: Sports
Despite the SIUE volleyball team's overwhelming offense in its sweep at the Christian Brothers Tournament, Head Coach Todd Gober is still getting defensive.
Gober shuffled the defense multiple times throughout the tournament, with three players taking turns at the libero position.
Freshman outside hitter Diane Schmidlin's return from injury will add one more to the competition for the time being and Gober said he is fine with that.
"I'm still undecided," Gober said about a set defensive player. "We have four young ladies capable of being the libero."
Gober said he would start with senior setter Sadie Zurliene and may stick with her if "she's doing the job."
In the meantime, Gober hopes the defense improves overall through the rest of the preseason. While the Cougars outblocked their opponents at CBU and averaged total double-digit blocks each time, he said there is room to grow.
"We did pretty good, I was pretty happy," Gober said. "(But) they have a lot to learn about blocking."
SIUE outmatched its opponents offensively with at least 59 kills a match. Juniors middle hitter Samantha Schulte recorded 55 kills and fellow hitter Kelsey Hubert recorded 42 to earn All-Tournament team honors.
Gober said he does not doubt the team's ability to hit the ball, but its serving could be better.
"I'd like to have our serving a little more aggressive and a little more accurate,"Gober said. "I want to cut down on our errors a bit."
Improvements aside, Gober likes the potential he sees in the lineup. He said it's a work in progress.
"We're still trying to figure out the roles of some of our players," Gober said.
Hubert said that to her, the team is coming together and working hard. It will also be a completely healthy team, welcoming back Schmidlin and sophomore outside hitter Jenny Gilman.
Gilman played in the CBU tournament, but it was her first since her red shirt season in 2006.
"I think it speaks volumes about our team that we were able to do well," Hubert said of a then-shorthanded group. "Everybody's ready to take on whatever is asked of them."
Hubert also said preseason tournaments will not necessarily determine the outcome of a regular season.
"We don't want to peak now," Hubert said.
An official lineup may not be finished yet, but Gober said he is excited for the challenge of selecting the best on the court.
"We have very, very strong tough attitudes," Gober said. "Very good work ethics on this team. That's definitely going to be our strength this year."
The Cougars traveled west to the mile-high altitudes of Denver for the Colorado Premier Challenge during the weekend. They entertained West Texas A & M and Metro State Friday before competing in pool play Saturday for a shot at a medal.
For the tournament results, visit alestlelive.com.
Gober shuffled the defense multiple times throughout the tournament, with three players taking turns at the libero position.
Freshman outside hitter Diane Schmidlin's return from injury will add one more to the competition for the time being and Gober said he is fine with that.
"I'm still undecided," Gober said about a set defensive player. "We have four young ladies capable of being the libero."
Gober said he would start with senior setter Sadie Zurliene and may stick with her if "she's doing the job."
In the meantime, Gober hopes the defense improves overall through the rest of the preseason. While the Cougars outblocked their opponents at CBU and averaged total double-digit blocks each time, he said there is room to grow.
"We did pretty good, I was pretty happy," Gober said. "(But) they have a lot to learn about blocking."
SIUE outmatched its opponents offensively with at least 59 kills a match. Juniors middle hitter Samantha Schulte recorded 55 kills and fellow hitter Kelsey Hubert recorded 42 to earn All-Tournament team honors.
Gober said he does not doubt the team's ability to hit the ball, but its serving could be better.
"I'd like to have our serving a little more aggressive and a little more accurate,"Gober said. "I want to cut down on our errors a bit."
Improvements aside, Gober likes the potential he sees in the lineup. He said it's a work in progress.
"We're still trying to figure out the roles of some of our players," Gober said.
Hubert said that to her, the team is coming together and working hard. It will also be a completely healthy team, welcoming back Schmidlin and sophomore outside hitter Jenny Gilman.
Gilman played in the CBU tournament, but it was her first since her red shirt season in 2006.
"I think it speaks volumes about our team that we were able to do well," Hubert said of a then-shorthanded group. "Everybody's ready to take on whatever is asked of them."
Hubert also said preseason tournaments will not necessarily determine the outcome of a regular season.
"We don't want to peak now," Hubert said.
An official lineup may not be finished yet, but Gober said he is excited for the challenge of selecting the best on the court.
"We have very, very strong tough attitudes," Gober said. "Very good work ethics on this team. That's definitely going to be our strength this year."
The Cougars traveled west to the mile-high altitudes of Denver for the Colorado Premier Challenge during the weekend. They entertained West Texas A & M and Metro State Friday before competing in pool play Saturday for a shot at a medal.
For the tournament results, visit alestlelive.com.
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