Volleyball Opens 2016 Season on Friday

Volleyball Opens 2016 Season on Friday

8.24.16 | Women's Volleyball

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PHILADELPHIA -- After two straight-runner up finishes in the American Athletic Conference, 2016 could be the year for Temple Volleyball. To rise to the top, however, Temple will first have to contend with a varied and tough non-conference schedule, before beginning play in the always difficult American Athletic Conference.

The Owls return five All-Conference players between the 2014 and 2015 seasons, and lost just two starters to graduation. Those two starters left big shoes to fill, however, as Sandra Sydlik '15, the 2014 conference setter of the year and two-time first-team All-Conference selection, and three-year starting libero, Alyssa Drachslin '15, are among the players lost to graduation.

"We have a new team with a lot of new faces in important positions," said sixth-year head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam. "Our goal has been to have a good chemistry and create an environment that nurtures that chemistry on and off the court. It's a really fun group to work with and they're very dedicated, so I'm very excited about this season."

Temple plays in four total tournaments, two at home, one other in Philadelphia, and the other on the road in Puerto Rico. Temple's non-conference slate features six 2015 NCAA tournament teams, and should prove to be a great test before beginning conference play on September 23.

"Our non-conference schedule is again at the top of the conference, but we're very excited to play some really good teams," noted Ganesharatnam. "To get ready for conference play we need to really challenge ourselves right out of the gate. I really think that this schedule will get us ready for conference e play."

Temple returns a deep roster of accomplished players who are eager to uphold the tradition of excellence in cherry and white. The high-powered Temple offense remains nearly intact from a year ago, when for the second-straight season the Owls finished 24-8 overall, and defeated every conference opponent at least once during the year.

Notably, first-team All-Conference selections, senior Kirsten Overton and junior Irem Asci, and second-team selection, junior Izzy Rapacz, will be back to lead the Owls. Each player put together a stellar resume during the 2015 campaign and will be counted on for the 2016 season.

Position-by-position, the Owls return depth at every slot. In the middle, Overton joins junior Janine Simmons and sophomore Carla Guennewig at the net, to provide a veteran blocking and hitting corps. Overton led the Owls and the conference with a .402 attack last season, also racking up 100 blocks. Junior Janine Simmons had a solid 2015 season, finishing second with 86 blocks, also adding 117 total kills. Guennewig saw extended action during the end of the 2016 season and will join newcomer Iva Deak to provide extra depth in the middle.

Temple's pin hitters are just as deep as last season, led by 2015 All-Conference returners, Asci and Rapacz. Asci topped the 2015 team with 409 total kills (3.68/set), while providing excellent defense with 2.55 digs per set. Rapacz had a break-out 2015 campaign, tallying 2.62 kills per set, while racking up 78 total blocks.

Senior Tyler Davis and junior Dara Peric, both All-Conference honorees in 2014, also return to bolster the Temple attack. Davis was second in 2015 with 2.81 kills per set, while Peric played primarily back-row, contributing 2.24 digs per set and 61 kills. Senior Caroline Grattan, another threat at outside, also returns to aid the Temple offense, which also welcomes freshman Dana Westfield.

At setter, Temple will deal with the loss of Sydlik with a pair of accomplished players in junior Kyra Coundourides and sophomore Hannah Vandegrift. Coundourides is a highly touted setter who transferred in from Virginia Tech, while Vandegrift played in eight matches for the Owls, including one start. She averaged 5.30 assists per set last season, totaling 106 for the season, including racking up 45 against UConn.

Defensively, Temple's back-row will be boosted by sophomore libero, Mia Heirakuji. Despite the loss of the services of Drachslin, Heirakuji will have the feeling of a veteran, having seen action in 24 matches in 2015.

"To succeed in The American, we need to understand that this conference is very close together and we can't take any match lightly," explained Ganesharatnam. "We need stay healthy and focus on being consistent. If we do that, we have a good shot. I really think that the most consistent team will win the conference."

What the Owls did last year, although great, will not be enough to get the team where they want to be for the 2016 season. This year's squad has high hopes, however, and with all the pieces in place for a fantastic season, the 2016 Temple Owls look to be a contender on the national stage.

2016 Media Guide