July 18, 2003
The University of Texas at Arlington volleyball squad made headlines in 2002, being tabbed by many as the best Maverick squad since the late 1980's. The young squad, boasting only two seniors, rode a 17-match winning streak through the bulk of the league season, put together a perfect 10-0 record on its home floor at Texas Hall and won the Southland Conference regular season championship with a dazzling 18-2 mark. It didn't stop there as the Mavs continued to roll, claiming their second consecutive SLC tournament title and earning their second trip to the NCAA Tournament in as many years. It had been over 10 years since the SLC had seen a team win both the regular season and the tournament championship in the same year.
With a very talented and competitive group returning for 2003, all of last seasons accomplishments should drive this squad, with three starters and nine letterwinners returning, to work very diligently to defend its title. With that said, head coach Janine Smith reminds us that there are still very big shoes to fill.
The Mavericks will look to fill the gap after the loss of outside hitters Amber Pack and Carol Bozikis along with the 2002 SLC Co-Player of the Year Olaya Pazo.
"Outside hitters will be the key to our success," said Smith. The Mavericks will look to junior Caley Smith to step up on the outside. Smith, who played in the middle her freshman and sophomore years, has been training to fill the hole on the outside.
"Caley is the best ball control player on our team so she brings valuable experience to us in both positions along with her competitiveness," said Smith.
Senior Elizabeth Davis offers diversity on the outside, while sophomore Ashley Van Antwerp and freshman Kim Merrill and Anglea Kopecki will also be vying for court time on the outside.
The middle blockers should help the Mavs to succeed this year, as UTA boasts a roster that includes five middles with four of them being at least six feet tall. An honorable mention all-SLC selection in 2002, Melissa Robinett returns for her senior year. Robinett led the Mavericks with a .352 attack percentage and 138 total blocks, while finishing last season with 317 kills. The depth and the height in the middle is something the Mavericks have not had in the past and will be looking forward to in 2003.
All-conference setter Heather Dunn returns to run the Maverick offense after dishing out 1,443 assists in 2002. Freshman Ashley Smith, an all-district setter from Alvin High School, will be an asset to the team as a setter and possibly at the libero position.
Many Maverick fans may notice something different on the court this year as UTA will most likely play with a true libero, a position introduced last season. With a very talented defensive team there will be more than one player competing for court time, including senior Julie Felts, sophomore Ashley Van Antwerp and freshman Kim Merrill and Ashley Smith.
The Maverick coaching staff has once again scheduled a very difficult preseason in hopes that it will prepare its squad for conference play, and hopefully a third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. The season opener comes at the Mizuno Invitational against Long Beach State. A national powerhouse, the 49ers finished the 2002 year ranked No. 14 and made their 15th straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. UTA will continue to face top teams including UC-Santa Barbara, UC-Irvine, UCLA and Texas, before opening league action on September 16.
With a group of skilled, dedicated returners and three freshman that will add talent and diversity, the Mavericks will be ready to defend their Southland Conference title. The Mavericks first home game of the 2003 season is Friday, September 5 against Arkansas-Little Rock. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at Texas Hall.
...utamavericks...
