The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Volleyball Preview: Middle Blockers
8/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 25, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB volleyball team opens its 2008 season Friday at the Florida Gators Invitational. With preseason practice winding down, uabsports.com provides an in-depth look at the volleyball program as it prepares for its opening weekend.
"I'm really pleased with the way we've practiced," UAB third-year head coach Kerry Messersmith said. "The biggest difference between this year and my previous two years is that our practices are a lot more competitive. We're so much deeper at each position, and that just leads to more competition."
Today is the third day of a five-day preview on uabsports.com, featuring a position-by-positon breakdown of the 2008 volleyball squad. Today, we take a look at the middle blocker position.
Thursday, Aug. 21 -- Setters
Friday, Aug. 22 -- Outside Hitters
Monday, Aug. 25 -- Middle Blockers
Tuesday, Aug. 26 -- Opposite Hitters
Wednesday, Aug. 27 -- Liberos
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
UAB enters the 2008 season with a deep group of middle blockers, led by senior Lilly Domingos. After transferring to UAB for her junior season in 2007, Domingos proved to all of Conference USA that she is a force. She posted 197 kills, 98 bocks and a .311 hitting percentage on her way to C-USA Newcomer of the Year honors.
Originally from Brazil, Domingos stayed in Birmingham all summer, continuing to work at improving her skills. UAB head coach Kerry Messersmith said the work has paid off.
"Lilly is going to be a huge threat in this conference, both offensively and defensively," Messersmith said. "She was good last year, but her game is 10 years ahead of where it was then."
A pair of talented newcomers join Domingos to make the Blazers even stronger in the middle. Junior college transfer Patty Paniagua and freshman Kirsten Gallagher have both been impressive in preseason practice.
Paniagua, a California native, played two years at Arizona Western College before joining the UAB squad this fall. She was the 2007 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Player of the Year and a National Junior College Athletic Association Division I second team All-American.
"Patty was a great recruit for us," Messersmith said. "It was really a steal for us to get her. She's one of the hardest workers on the floor, and she is very, very competitive."
Gallagher is an Auburn, Ala., product, who was a four-year letterwinner and a two-year captain at Auburn High School. She earned All-State honors in both her junior and senior seasons.
"Kirsten has been the biggest surprise this preseason," Messersmith said. "We brought her in thinking she would redshirt, but she has shown us that she can step in an make a contribution this year. She's really an all-around player who can pass, serve and do just about everything."
Senior Casey Dent has played in the middle for three years, but she is making the move to the right side in 2008. She still could be called upon to provide depth in the middle, though.
The Blazers also return Rachel James as a middle blocker after she redshirted as a freshman in 2007. James had a standout career at Gardendale High School in Mount Olive, Ala., before coming to UAB.
"Rachel has been with the program for a year now," Messersmith said. "She's been able to develop her skills and get some experience. She will make a push for playing time this year."
In addition, the Blazers welcome freshman Charlayna Braxton from Decatur, Ga. Braxton is a talented, athletic player, but she will likely redshirt because of the team's depth at middle blocker.
Braxton is one of six newcomers who will join 10 returning players on the UAB roster in 2008. The Blazers also bring back five starters from a year ago. Check back tomorrow for a look at the Blazers' opposite hitters.
