The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
2009 UAB Volleyball Preview: Setter, Defensive Specialist
8/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 20, 2009
As the start of the season nears, uabsports.com takes a position-by-position look at the 2009 Blazer volleyball squad. The team is currently in fall practice, preparing for its season-opening match Aug. 28. This is the third and final piece in a series of in-depth looks at the 2009 Blazers and focuses on the team's setters and defensive specialists.
Wed., Aug. 12 -- Outside Hitter

Mon., Aug. 17 -- Opposite and Middle Blocker


Thurs., Aug. 20 -- Setter and Defensive Specialist
Setter
At setter, UAB must replace an honorable mention All-American and first-team all-conference performer. Nevena Stefanov, the 2009 C-USA Setter of the Year, wrapped up her four-year career second in Blazer history with 5,839 assists.
The Blazers may look to multiple setters to fill that role this season as the team seriously considers running a 6-2 offense.
Sophomore MacKenzie Wilson, who saw action in 26 matches as a defensive specialist in 2008, will move completely into the setter spot this year. The second former Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year on the UAB roster (joining Savannah Pegg), Wilson posted 1.84 digs per set a year ago and added nine assists in limited chances.
"MacKenzie is a great leader and very vocal," UAB head coach Kerry Messersmith said. "She's a super defensive player, she runs the court well, and we feel like we really need her on the floor. We'll look to her to be one of our 6-2 setters."
Wilson will be joined by Alison Woods, a highly touted freshman from Centennial High School in Franklin, Tenn. An honorable mention high school All-American as a senior, Woods was Centennial's captain and MVP all four years. At the club level, she teamed with Sam Serley, a fellow Blazer freshman, on two national championships for Impact Volleyball Club.
"Alison was overlooked by some teams in the recruiting process because she is a little undersized," Messersmith said. "But she's a good jumper, and she runs the floor well. She pushes the middle no matter where she is, and that's something we haven't necessarily had here."
Junior Emily Foreman gives UAB another veteran at the setter position. Also a defensive specialist, Foreman has played in 23 matches in her two years at UAB, including 18 last season. She owns 14 assists in limited setting action over her first two seasons.
Aley Tallman, who will play primarily at the opposite position, is also capable of filling in at setter and has previously seen work there in practice.
Libero/Defensive Specialist
Sophomore Heather Thomas will move into the libero role in 2009 after playing in all 35 matches as a defensive specialist as a true freshman a season ago. She was third on the 2008 team with 2.33 digs per set, and she committed only nine receiving errors all year as one of the Blazers' primary passers.
"Heather did a fantastic job for us last year as a defensive specialist," Messersmith said. "She's a tremendous passer, one of the better passers I've ever coached, and a great defensive player. She's definitely going to fill a very important role for us."
Thomas steps into the position filled last season by Aleksandra Vujovic, who moved into the role as a senior and averaged 3.37 digs per set. Vujovic concluded her career sixth in UAB annals with 1,381 total digs.
Foreman, mentioned earlier as a setter, also provides experience as a defensive specialist. She owns a 1.14 digs-per-set average over her two years in the Blazer program.
"Emily can go in and pass and play defense," Messersmith said. "She got some more experience last year. We'll look at her kind of in the same role. She's very vocal on the floor, and that really helps us."
As a team, UAB will face its first test of the 2009 season Aug. 28-29 when the Blazers compete against Alabama A&M and Auburn at Auburn's War Eagle Invitational. The team's first home match is slated for Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. against Jacksonville State.
