Aug. 21, 2009

The UT Arlington volleyball program has a history of going with a setter and relying on that player to lead their team on the court. Redshirt junior setter Raegan Daniel is the seventh setter in UTA history of this kind, where she is looking to lead the Mavericks charge for the second straight year.

After a redshirt season in 2006, Daniel spent her freshman season learning from former three-year letterwinner and starting setter Emily Nedderman before taking the reigns at the setter position in 2008.

"Last year was my first year to have game experience as a starter," Daniel said. "So I have more experience now and I feel more comfortable playing with my teammates."

Daniel was one of only two Mavericks last season to start and play in all 30 matches and 114 sets. She finished the season with 934 assists, the most for a first-year starting setter in the Mavericks program since 2001 (Heather Dunn).

Success for Daniel relies on the players around her who are able to score points on offensive attacks. The good news for Daniel is her first year as the setter is going to be just the start for her working with many of her teammates who all return besides one starter from last season.

"Alicia (Shaffer) is a big vocal leader for us and she works hard," Daniel said of some key players for the Mavs. "Bianca (Sauls) is probably our strongest hitter. She knows how to put the ball away and how to score for us."

Daniel is an all-around talent as she not only led the team in assists, she ranked third in digs, (234) and fourth in kills (117) and total blocks (46).

"I try to give my hitters and everyone on the team confidence," Daniel said. "I just really try to make good passes and put the ball in a good position for our hitters."

Daniel and the Mavs will get their first preseason trial run with the Blue/White Scrimmage at Texas Hall on Sunday, August 23, at 3 p.m.

UT Arlington opens its regular season next Friday, August 28, at the Illinois State Redbird Classic against Oral Roberts in Normal, Ill.