Temple University Athletics
Temple Volleyball celebrates a win against SMU in 2014
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
2014 Temple Volleyball Season Recap
1.6.15 | Women's Volleyball
PHILADELPHIA – The 2014 Temple University volleyball season was one for the record books. The Owls finished 24-8 overall, tying for second place in the American Athletic Conference, and compiling the program's best record in 12 years. All season, the team stressed that there were no stars, just a team of players working together for a common goal: to win. That proved true 24 times overall, 15 times in the American Athletic Conference, and 12 times at home.
"It really was an outstanding season," said Head Coach Bakeer Ganes. "We went from being picked second-to-last in the conference to ending up in second place. It was a great accomplishment."
The Owls had a number of big wins in 2014, including knocking off conference champion and NCAA team, UCF, at home. The victory snapped the Knight's 13-game win streak. Temple also defeated USF for the first time in program history, and grabbed a big win over conference-power, SMU. In fact, Temple defeated every team in the American Athletic Conference at least once in 2014. The Owls also compiled a significant win streak of their own, going 10-0 in conference play, and not suffering a loss from October 13 to November 20th.
Although the Owls stressed a team-first attitude, several Temple individual players were recognized for outstanding achievements, as the Owls earned a conference and program record five All-Conference sections. Junior Sandra Sydlik was named to the first team, while sophomore Tyler Davis, senior Jennifer Iacobini sophomore Kirsten Overton, and freshman Dara Peric earned second-team honors. Temple also boasted the American Athletic Conference Setter of the Year in Sydlik and the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year in Peric. Sydlik later went on to earn the program's first All-Region mention since 2002.
Ganes also stressed the importance of the support system that stood around Temple volleyball in 2014. "We couldn't have done it without support all around us," he noted. "From our administration, to our athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches, to our fans. We really owe a lot of thanks to many people who helped us accomplish our goals this year."
The future of Temple volleyball looks bright, as well. While the Owls say goodbye to three seniors, Iacobini, Tiffany Connatser, and Alex Schmitt, 12 players will return for the 2015 season, including six starters. Temple will also welcome three talented freshmen and one transfer for the fall.
Ganes is optimistic about the future of the program as well. "I think we're only going to get better," he noted. "We have all the pieces for another successful season and I'm looking forward to seeing how we develop as a team next year."
2014 Temple Volleyball: By the Numbers - VIDEO
24: Wins in 2014; Temple finished 24-8, the most wins since the 2002 season
15: American Athletic Conference wins; Owls went 15-5 in the American, tying for 2nd place overall
12: Wins at home; Temple went 12-1 at McGonigle Hall this season
11: American Athletic Conference weekly awards
5: All-Conference Selections - the most in program history; Sandra Sydlik was named first team; Dara Peric, Kirsten Overton, Tyler Davis, and Jennifer Iacobini named second team.
3: Tournaments won by the Owls in 2014: Philadelphia Big 5 Tournament; Temple Invitational; Syracuse Invitational
2: Yearly Award Winners in the American -- 2014 Setter of the Year Sandra Sydlik; 2014 Freshman of the Year Dara Peric
1: All-Region Nod by Sandra Sydlik, Temple's first regional award winner since Yun Yi Zhang in 2009
"It really was an outstanding season," said Head Coach Bakeer Ganes. "We went from being picked second-to-last in the conference to ending up in second place. It was a great accomplishment."
The Owls had a number of big wins in 2014, including knocking off conference champion and NCAA team, UCF, at home. The victory snapped the Knight's 13-game win streak. Temple also defeated USF for the first time in program history, and grabbed a big win over conference-power, SMU. In fact, Temple defeated every team in the American Athletic Conference at least once in 2014. The Owls also compiled a significant win streak of their own, going 10-0 in conference play, and not suffering a loss from October 13 to November 20th.
Although the Owls stressed a team-first attitude, several Temple individual players were recognized for outstanding achievements, as the Owls earned a conference and program record five All-Conference sections. Junior Sandra Sydlik was named to the first team, while sophomore Tyler Davis, senior Jennifer Iacobini sophomore Kirsten Overton, and freshman Dara Peric earned second-team honors. Temple also boasted the American Athletic Conference Setter of the Year in Sydlik and the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year in Peric. Sydlik later went on to earn the program's first All-Region mention since 2002.
Ganes also stressed the importance of the support system that stood around Temple volleyball in 2014. "We couldn't have done it without support all around us," he noted. "From our administration, to our athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches, to our fans. We really owe a lot of thanks to many people who helped us accomplish our goals this year."
The future of Temple volleyball looks bright, as well. While the Owls say goodbye to three seniors, Iacobini, Tiffany Connatser, and Alex Schmitt, 12 players will return for the 2015 season, including six starters. Temple will also welcome three talented freshmen and one transfer for the fall.
Ganes is optimistic about the future of the program as well. "I think we're only going to get better," he noted. "We have all the pieces for another successful season and I'm looking forward to seeing how we develop as a team next year."
2014 Temple Volleyball: By the Numbers - VIDEO
24: Wins in 2014; Temple finished 24-8, the most wins since the 2002 season
15: American Athletic Conference wins; Owls went 15-5 in the American, tying for 2nd place overall
12: Wins at home; Temple went 12-1 at McGonigle Hall this season
11: American Athletic Conference weekly awards
5: All-Conference Selections - the most in program history; Sandra Sydlik was named first team; Dara Peric, Kirsten Overton, Tyler Davis, and Jennifer Iacobini named second team.
3: Tournaments won by the Owls in 2014: Philadelphia Big 5 Tournament; Temple Invitational; Syracuse Invitational
2: Yearly Award Winners in the American -- 2014 Setter of the Year Sandra Sydlik; 2014 Freshman of the Year Dara Peric
1: All-Region Nod by Sandra Sydlik, Temple's first regional award winner since Yun Yi Zhang in 2009
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's VolleyballTuesday, June 02
Saturday, May 30
Tuesday, May 19
Tuesday, May 05
