Temple University Athletics
2006 VOLLEYBALL OUTLOOK
8.16.06 | Women's Volleyball
After capturing the Atlantic 10 East Division regular season title, Temple advanced to its eighth conference championship match in 2005 but fell short against a strong Dayton team, 3-0. With Zhen Jia Liu, a first team all-conference member, having graduated, the Owls are headed into the 2006 season with a new game plan, led by junior Yue Liu and sophomore Patricia Vernon.
Liu received first team all-conference honors last season, while Vernon earned a spot on the A-10's All-Rookie team and Second Team.
"We have a very small core group right now so we're going to be building around that core group," head coach Bob Bertucci said. "I think the strength of the team is going to have to come from this core group and, depending on how they prepare for the upcoming season, is going to be critical on how we're going to do."
Playing in the competitive Atlantic 10 Conference, Bertucci feels that the Owls are going to have step up to continue to compete with these teams.
"It's not a young team, but it's a team that has progressed gradually and is now at the middle or late stage of its development as a team. We're hoping that we are going to be able to make the same steps that we have been making the past two years with them," Bertucci said.
The winningest coach in program history, Bertucci feels that one of his strongest returnees is Yue Liu. She finished second on the team last season with 398 kills, behind only Zhen Jia Liu, and had 339 digs and 51 total blocks. She will be looked upon to lead by example.
"She is going to be someone you can go to and know she is going to get the job done," Bertucci says of his outside hitter. "She has a great deal of experience starting for the past two years and has made all-conference both years."
Bertucci is also looking Jessica Waybrant's way. "Jess is a senior that has trained real hard and is committed to the program. In addition to Jess being on the outside, she is a universal player where we can plug her in a lot of different places," Bertucci said. She finished her junior year with 72 kills, 30 digs, nine blocks and five assists, showing her versatility.
Senior Maira Mogollon returns for the Owls in the setter position, bringing with her three years of college experience. Mogollon dished out 1,432 assists to her hitters while also adding 35 service aces and 290 digs. Bertucci hopes that newcomer Jackie Morrison can also come in and make an immediate impact.
"Maira is going to have to work hard and really work on her jumping because we might call on her to do more net play this season," Bertucci said. "That is going to help us determine if we're going to want to go with a 5-1 or 6-2 [formation]."
Another key to Temple's success will be finding solidity in the middle blocking position. "We have a weakness in our middle blocking position right now--we're going to have to find a player to fill that spot," Bertucci said.
Because of the hole in the middle position, Vernon may have to fill the spot. The sophomore is coming off an outstanding rookie season as a right side hitter in which she had 325 kills, 66 digs and was second on the team with 81 blocks. Bertucci expects Vernon, with her natural personality, to step up as the vocal leader on the court.
"She's a good enough athlete that we want to start to work on her attacking from the back row and on her passing and ball control if we don't have to make a drastic switch in our line-up and move her to the middle position," Bertucci said.
Junior Christina DeMarco is a retuning middle blocker that has done well for Temple in the past. Last season the A-10 honorable mention honoree racked up 281 kills and led the team in both service aces (39) and total blocks (137).
"She has continually improved each year and has made some major contributions for us and we're going to look for her to play a bigger role, especially in the blocking aspect," Bertucci said.
Junior Sun Ying Ling is the starting libero for the Owls after posting 32 service aces and an outstanding 585 digs last season. There is a possibility that she may have to play some right side, but Bertucci wants to keep her in her role as the libero.
"I think she's one of the better liberos in our conference and could be the best if she puts her mind to it," Bertucci said.
Senior Yan Liu is also coming back as an experienced defensive specialist that will contribute within in her role.
Sophomore Katrina Mullins, another defensive specialist, has been improving and Bertucci is looking for her to expand her role after her freshman season.
"Katrina may have a limited role but is as an inspirational leader. She helps hold the team together by keeping them motivated," said Bertucci.
Newcomer Dianna Massiera is very young in the game but is progressing very well and Bertucci hopes she will be able to come in and contribute more this year.
Walk-on and local product Glory Epelle should add depth to the Temple line-up.
Bertucci hopes that his team can take the step from being in the championship match to winning the championship.
"That's a huge step which is going to depend on two factors. The first factor is how hard the core group of girls worked in the summer.
"It depends on how much volleyball they played this summer and if they come back with their game elevated. The second is whether we can find someone who can play immediately in the middle blocking position," Bertucci concluded.
