Aug. 10, 2004

The University of Texas at Arlington volleyball squad hit the court today for its first workout of the 2004 season. The Mavericks will practice twice daily until the start of the fall semester with preseason workouts concluding on August 22 with a blue/white scrimmage at Texas Hall. Heading into the 2004 volleyball season, Diane Seymour, UTA's interim head coach, finds herself with a new title, but the task is the same - win a Southland Conference championship. The Mavericks will boast six freshman this season, along with two seniors, two juniors and one sophomore. Three season's ago, the Mavericks won the Southland Conference postseason tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament with six freshman on the roster. Two of those freshman return this season as the lone seniors to lead this youthful squad back to a championship. Success of this squad, however, will be determined by the ability of the newcomers to have an immediate impact and the determination of the upperclassman. The following is a position-by-position breakdown of the 2004 Mavericks. Setter No surprise to Mavericks fans, two-time all-Southland Conference performer Heather Dunn returns to run the Mavericks offense in her final campaign. Dunn will again be an asset for the Mavs if she continues to make sound decisions on the court. "Heather does a very nice job distributing the ball and getting her hitters in a one-on-one situation (hitter vs. blocker)," said Seymour. "She has mastered the ability to be a threat whether in the front court or back court." After just one year of training behind Dunn, sophomore Ashley Smith has grown into a great setter and could be looked upon to step in and set this squad. "Ashley has worked very hard on her accuracy and decision making, and we will look for her to be able to step in at any time to lead this team," said Seymour. Middle Blockers Returners Caley Smith and Melissa Marek will carry most of the burden in the middle after the loss of Mindy Hubik and all-conference pick Melissa Robinett. Smith returns to the middle after filling a whole on the outside in 2003. A three-time all-conference performer, Smith is a threat on every play, always finding a way to terminate the ball. "Caley and Heather (Dunn) have unbelievable setter-hitter chemistry, which makes the tandem trouble for opponents," said Seymour. Marek, a red-shirt junior, has grown into a very solid middle blocker in her time at UTA. The best blocker on the squad, Marek will be looked upon this year to take on more of a leadership role. "Melissa has good size, jumps well, has a fast armswing and can terminate the ball - all great qualities for a middle blocker," said Seymour. Freshmen Laurie Burrow and Ellen Murray will see some time at middle blocker and should add some depth to the Mavericks lineup. The determination and the personality of these two will make them very fun to watch. "Laurie brings a lot of offense for a freshman and will be relied upon to make an immediate impact," said Seymour. "Ellen is very consistent, she does an extremely good job transitioning and being an available hitter at all times." Outside Hitter The outside hitter position will have the most depth for the Mavericks in 2004 with one returner and three newcomers battling for court time. Junior Ashley Van Antwerp will use her experience and growth to her advantage. According to Seymour, Van Antwerp has become the complete package - she has great jumping ability, a very fast armswing, reacts quickly on defense and is an offensive threat from the front and back row. "Ashley has really grown into a very sound outside hitter and she has the ability to make her teammates play better due to her court presence," said Seymour. Each joining the Mavericks squad after very successful high school careers freshmen Torie Dacus, Dani Johnson, Gina Kalb and Morgan Rogers will also throw their hat in the ring for time on the outside. Dacus, the reigning District 14-4A "Most Valuable Player", knows how to get the job done and is a very consistent hitter, she also has the ability to play multiple postitions which could earn her extended court time. Johnson also has the ability to play multiple roles and could see time at libero as well as on the outside. "Dani passes the ball extremely well and makes good decisions when she is in the front court," said Seymour. Kalb, heading to Arlington by way Dubuque, Iowa, should be able to step into the college game and make an immediate impact. A great athlete and competitor, Rogers has the chane to make an immediate impact. "Morgan has the power to terminate and has learned how to be a successful outside hitter," said Seymour. "We will look to Morgan to step in and compete right away." Libero The libero position, introduced in 2002, will be very interesting this season. Many Mavericks fans watched Ashley Smith dive and roll after every ball in the backcourt last season, but in 2004 there could be some new faces. Along with Smith, Johnson, Dacus and Kalb all have the ability to don the contrasting jersey. "The libero position shall be interesting, we have many players who have the ability to play there, but it will depend on our team needs and the different positions that need to be filled," said Seymour. The Mavericks' coaching staff has once again scheduled a difficult preseason in hopes that it will prepare this young squad for conference play and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The season opener comes at Texas Hall this year as the Mavericks kick off the season against Baylor on September 1. UTA will open league action on September 14 at rival Texas State.