August 11, 1998
TEMPE, Ariz. -
They're back.
After two years of what head coach Patti Snyder-Park refers to as rebuilding and restructuring, the 1998 addition of the Arizona State volleyball team is back on track. Snyder-Park, now in her 10th season at the helm of the Sun Devil program, feels this year's squad has gained some key elements that were lacking and will seriously compete for a postseason berth in 1998.
"We have a lot of swift, ball-control talent this year - some real speed on the court." Snyder-Park noted. "We've kind of balanced out our height. We've been tall and young in the past and now we're much more experienced in our ball control. We're definitely going to be a better team."
Last season the Devils finished a disappointing 13-16 and 4-14 (8th) in conference action. Despite the finish, ASU took home top honors in two of three tournaments early in the '97 season.
"Experience alone is what we were lacking last year - 10 underclassmen - going against Pac-10 opponents who were senior laden," said Snyder-Park. "We should be more veteran and confident this season."
The Devils lost two senior starters - outside hitter, Terri Cox and middleblocker Kirstin Mattson. Cox and Mattson accounted for 673 kills last year in addition to 545 digs, 35 block solos and 141 block assists.
Arizona State returns junior setter Jolynn Faatulu, sophomore outside hitter Amanda Burbridge, junior middleblocker Laura Hibsman and junior opposite Jamie Peck.
With the influx of speed and ball control onto this year's team, there will be some fierce competition for spots in the starting lineup despite four returners.
On the Left
At the outside hitter positions, Arizona State's leading candidates are sophomore Amanda Burbridge and freshman Jami Coughlin as well as freshman Robyn Mattingly.
Burbridge, a 1997 All-Pac-10 All-Freshman selection, averaged 2.28 kills and 2.08 digs last season despite missing the first month of competition due to off-season shoulder surgery.
"Last year, she was basically rehabing her shoulder during the season but now she's back at 100 percent," noted Snyder-Park. "Amanda knows she is now our primary leftside hitter. She's stronger and has a better variety of shots to choose from. She's really emerged as a leader for this team. She's really making an investment in the program to establish some traditions and set high goals.
"Amanda had an outstanding spring and really gained a lot of confidence as our go-to player, " Snyder-Park said. "She had very good success against some very good competition. She'll be ready to handle the load with the departure of Terri Cox."
Freshman Jami Coughlin is a prime candidate for the second outside hitter position. Coughlin, a 6-0 hitter from Glendale, Arizona (Moon Valley HS), has all the tools to be a stand-out player at ASU.
"Jami is one the most well-rounded athletes we've recruited since Leanne Schuster and Mindy Rich," said Snyder-Park, "and those are two of the best players we've brought into the program both athletically and academically. She's a phenomenal ball-control player and will make an immediate impact.
"She passes, plays defense, has great shot selection and is a true student of the game," noted Snyder-Park. "The only learning that will take place is just learning the new height of the players across the net. I think her transition will be a smooth one because she is such a complete player. We're lucky to have her."
Mattingly, a local product hailing from Mesa (Mountain View HS), brings the complete package to ASU.
"Robyn is a gift," said Snyder-Park. "She is an incredible athlete who is swift, strong and can play any position - left, middle or right.
"We want to train her on the left but she can definately break into the lineup on the rightside," Snyder-Park noted. "Robyn will be on the court. For her size and mobility she's a great passer and defender. Again, she's another complete package. She doesn't have the years of club experience under her belt, but is certainly a good player already."
In the Middle
Leading a solid group of middleblockers is junior Laura Hibsman. The 6-0 middle finished third on team in kills last year with 198 (2.00 kpg) as well as finishing second in block assists with 80.
"Laura is our number one returning middleblocker," Snyder-Park said. "She's one of the hardest workers in the weight room and a phenomenal physical player.
"We saw a lot more 'give me the ball' attitude from her this spring," noted Snyder-Park. "She really showed some leadership and has a great work ethic in the gym."
Sophomore Michelle Mortensen is a candidate for the second middleblocker starting spot. Mortensen, a 6-0 middle/opposite from Chandler saw limited action in 1997 averaging 0.74 kills and 0.91 blocks per game.
"Michelle's going to battle and has an excellent chance of becoming our second starting middleblocker," said Snyder-Park. "She's extremely mobile with good foot speed. She has a really good arm swing and took advantage of spring training and the extra hours of one-on-one training.
"She's completely dedicated to getting stronger," noted Snyder-Park.
"When you have that kind of dedication on a daily basis you know she's going to make things happen. A coach can't ask for any more than that."
Junior Shawna Vanley is another candidate for a starting role in the middle. Vanley who was hampered by a broken thumb last year, averaged 1.79 kills and 0.79 blocks per game.
"Shawna had shoulder surgery in May and has been rehabing," Snyder-Park said. "She definitely benefited from the spring. She got a lot of touches on the ball that she really needed and has really worked on her ball control.
"She is a tremendous blocker, a physical presence on the court," said Snyder-Park. "She is an offensive threat and can intimidate opponents in warm-ups with her thundering kills. We're hoping that with the ball control that she added to her game and if her arm is healthy - watch out Pac-10."
Rounding out the corps of middleblockers is junior Ashley Ottman (Flossmor, Ill.). Ottman has been hampered by injuries her first two seasons, but had eight block assists and eight kills in a match at Oregon last year.
"Ashley can be such a dominating physical presence but has had to deal with injuries while at ASU," said Snyder-Park. "If we could get her in the gym year-round she should be one of the most dominating players on the court with her size and mobility.
"She's got a lot of work to do to crack the starting lineup but with her personality and her talent she will see some time," Snyder-Park noted. "Hopefully she will continue to work hard and stay healthy. She lights up out team with her enthusiasm, energy and her determination for the team's success. She is a true team player and that's hard to teach, it's a kind of innate quality."
On the Right
On the right side, non-setting, juniors Jamie Peck and Lindsay Priest will vye for a starting spot.
Junior Jamie Peck (Tempe, Ariz.) is back for her third season with the Devils. Last year, the 6-3 opposite/middle blocker averaged 1.47 kills, 1.00 digs and 0.60 blocks per game.
"Jamie is one of our co-captains as elected by the team," Snyder-Park noted. "She earned it by showing consistent dedication in the gym over the spring. She's extremely coacheable and very hard-working. When she sets a goal she gets it done.
"She's a great physical talent - you can't teach height," said Snyder-Park. "She's got the size and the skills to be an awesome rightside blocker. She's got a good set of hands and is a great opposite player. We worked very hard on her mobility this spring and to have her hit more play sets."
Adding depth to the right side is junior Lindsay Priest, who was thrust into multiple roles in 1997, including some setting duties when starting setter Jolynn Faatulu went down with an ankle injury.
"Lindsay is our jack-of-all-trades," Snyder-Park noted. "She plays setter, opposite and leftside. She has played anywhere we needed her over the past two seasons.
"She had good size and technical skills and has been working on getting stronger," said Snyder-Park. "She shows good discipline and work ethic in the gym. She's definitely a role model in that sense and a great team player."
Back for her second year in the driver's seat is junior Jolynn Faatulu. The 5-9 setter from Signal Hill, Calif. averaged 11.34 assists last year as well as 2.05 digs per game. She is currently sixth all-time at Arizona State in career assists.
"Jolynn is back," Snyder-Park said. "She is in great shape and her knees and ankles are as healthy as they've ever been. She's moving faster and has improved her strength in the weight room.
"She was named captain this spring as well," noted Snyder-Park. "To know that she has the confidence and trust of her teammates is going to work wonders for us. She's such a great setter, a pure physical leader out on the court - one of the Pac-10's best. She's got a wonderful temperament and a great demeanor. She never gets too rattled. You know that in pressure situations, she's just going to get tougher."
Backing up Faatulu will be junior transfer Becky Sidoti (Golden West JC). Sidoti, a 5-10 setter from La Habra, Calif. brings a wealth of experience to Arizona State.
"Becky is a very experienced setter," said Snyder-Park, "and she's run the offense for two years at a junior college. She's been in the competitive arena as a starting setter so she'll bring in that experience for us.
"She has good blocking skills and she's had a lot of years of volleyball under her belt," noted Snyder-Park. "She's a real good addition for us."
On Defense
The Devils have added junior transfer Darice Smith to the lineup as a defensive specialist.
"Darice is the consummate defensive specialist," Sndyer-Park said. "She knows exactly what her job is when she gets put into the match and that is to serve tough, dig balls and pass to the setter.
"She is 100% committed to doing things perfectly and she's her own worst critic," said Snyder-Park. "She will run through walls and bleachers and do whatever it takes to be a successful presence when she gets the opportunity to go in there."
Joining Smith will be freshman designated hitter Amy Bowler (Naperville, Ill.).