The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
2005 UAB Volleyball Preview
8/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 19, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The 2005 UAB volleyball team will rely on youth and the leadership of its lone senior to make a push in the new-look Conference USA standings this year. The Blazers return five letterwinners from last season's squad while welcoming five newcomers to their roster. Co-interim head coaches Allison Magner and Nikola Petrovic hope this blend of experience and young talent can put UAB back on the C-USA map. The Blazers host an exhibition match against Auburn on Aug. 26 before traveling to Mobile and opening up the regular season at the South Alabama Tournament on Sept. 1.
Outside Hitters
Three of the Blazers' five returning players in 2005 line up at the outside hitter position. Senior Isabel Oquendo led UAB in kills last season and will look to do the same this year. Sophomores Nicole Bowland and Charli Lindley also return as outside hitters after strong freshman campaigns. Freshman Ivana Bozic and Aleksandra Vujovic also hope to contribute at the outside position this season.
"We are looking for a lot of offensive production from our outside hitters this season," said co-interim head coach Nikola Petrovic. "Aside from Isabel, our players are young but have a lot of very valuable experience at this point in their careers."
Middle Blockers
Sophomores Shaniquwa Cooper and Angie Ping return at the middle blocker position for the Blazers as well as freshman newcomer Casey Dent. Cooper ranked second on the squad with 45 total blocks in 2004 while Ping's 23 were third-most on the team.
"Shaniquwa is a great athlete and worked really hard during the spring season," said Petrovic. "Casey is also very powerful and we're expecting a lot from her as well."
Setter
After losing Jenna Link from last year's team, freshman setter Nevena Stefanov looks to step in and make an immediate impact.
"Despite being a freshman, Nevena brings a lot of experience with her to UAB," said Petrovic. "Our offense is different than what she was running back home but we are confident she can adapt and run our offense this season."
Libero
Amy White joins the Blazers in 2005, hoping to provide solid defense on UAB's back row.
"Amy is a great talker and ball controller who brings a lot of energy to the court," said Petrovic.
Schedule
After an exhibition match against in-state SEC rival Auburn, the Blazers open up the season with three competitive tournaments in the month of September. UAB then begins play in the new-look Conference USA as the team opens on the road against Rice on Sept. 23. In addition to the Owls, the Blazers will have the opportunity to match up with league newcomers UCF, Marshall, SMU, Tulsa and UTEP while also taking on returning members Houston, Southern Miss, Memphis, East Carolina and Tulane over the course of the year. The Conference USA Tournament will be hosted by Rice from Nov. 17-20 in Houston.
"We're very excited about the conference change and to get the chance to play new teams," said co-interim head coach Allison Magner. "I think it is going to be competitive and I think we're going to have a really good season."
