The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Volleyball Preview: Liberos
8/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 27, 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 final 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 libero position.
Thursday, Aug. 21 -- Setters
Friday, Aug. 22 -- Outside Hitters
Monday, Aug. 25 -- Middle Blockers
Tuesday, Aug. 26 -- Opposite Hitters
Wednesday, Aug. 27 -- Liberos
LIBEROS
The UAB coaching staff is excited about the depth of its team in 2008, and the libero position may be the Blazers' deepest position of all. The group goes four deep, and head coach Kerry Messersmith describes her team as "loaded defensively."
Senior Aleksandra Vujovic, who has been an outside hitter, is moving to the libero position in 2008. Vujovic, a Serbia native, has been solid defensively on the outside, posting 939 digs over her three years. The Blazers' depth at libero will also allow Vujovic to continue to see some action on the outside.
"Mentally, Aleksandra is excited about playing a new position," Messersmith said. "She was actually recruited as a libero. We looked at moving her to that spot this offseason, and it has worked out well."
In addition to Vujovic, UAB returns a pair of defensive specialists in junior Haylee Adkins and sophomore Emily Foreman. Adkins, a local product from Birmingham, has started 30 matches for the Blazers over the past two seasons and has tallied 340 career digs. Foreman, a Huntsville, Ala., native, saw limited action as a freshman in 2007 and will look to make a greater impact this season.
"Haylee and Emily both worked very hard in the spring," Messersmith said. "They've both been in our program and played the position, so they're experienced players. They will be very solid for us."
The Blazers also welcome a freshman libero in Heather Thomas from Madison, Ala. Thomas was an All-State selection as a senior and helped her Bob Jones High School team to a second-place finish in the state tournament.
"Heather is just a tremendous defensive player," Messersmith said. "She is the youngest of the group of liberos, but she has shown the ability to come in and have an impact.
"All four of those players will push each other every day for playing time. We feel comfortable with any one of them in the lineup."
Thomas is one of eight newcomers who will join 10 returning players on the UAB roster in 2008. The Blazers also bring back five starters from a year ago. Today's article wraps up the 2008 volleyball season preview. Check back soon for a preview of the Blazers' opening weekend at the Florida Gators Invitational.
