The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
2010 UAB Volleyball Preview: Middle Blocker, Right Side
8/23/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 23, 2010
This is the first segment of a three-part series previewing the 2010 UAB volleyball team. Todays's segment features the middle blockers and right side/opposite hitters. Check back Tuesday for a look at the defensive specialists and setters and Wednesday for a preview of the outside hitters.
UAB is continuing preparations for its season opener. The Blazers will play Friday at 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. CT) against Alabama A&M at the Georgia Tech Courtyard Marriott Classic in Atlanta, Ga.
Middle Blockers
The Blazers were one of the top blocking teams in Conference USA last season, and that should remain true this year.
UAB returns a pair of award-winning middle blockers in senior Michelle Uzoh, the 2009 C-USA Newcomer of the Year, and sophomore Sam Serley, a 2009 C-USA All-Freshman Team selection.
Uzoh led the league in blocks per set at 1.24 and ranked sixth in the conference with a .311 attack percentage last season, her first with the Blazers after transferring from Georgia Southern. She has backed that up with a strong fall practice period.
"Michelle probably has one of the best vertical jumps in the conference," Messersmith said. "She's very athletic and very quick. She's one of the very best middles, if not the best, coming back in our conference, and I look for her to have another good year."
Serley teamed with Uzoh and departed senior Patty Paniagua to give the Blazers one of the deepest groups of middles in the league last year. She ranked seventh in C-USA in attack percentage (.310) and 11th in blocks per set (0.96). With a year of college volleyball behind her, she returns as an even stronger player physically.
"Sam had a tremendous freshman year as one of the best freshmen in our conference, and she just continues to get better," Messersmith said. "She has really worked on some of the things she wasn't as strong at and is a more complete player this year."
The UAB coaching staff is also excited about the addition of Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College transfer Kate Morrell in the middle. The leading blocker in the national junior college tournament last year, Morrell has turned heads in fall practice.
"Kate is probably one of the most competitive kids I've ever been around," Messersmith said. "Every approach is like a freight train; she just gets after it. And not only is she a good middle, she's a good all-around player. She can pass and play defense."
Right Side/Opposite Hitters
Another pair of versatile players could see time in the middle but will more likely be utilized on the right side, where their size will be even more of an asset. Sophomores Kirsten Gallagher (6-foot-2) and Michele Simmons (6-foot-3) can provide a powerful right-side block.
Gallagher is now in her third year with the program after redshirting in 2008 and seeing limited action in 2009. She's made significant progress and is ready to take a major step forward this fall.
"We're looking at Kirsten on the right side," Messersmith said. "She's a tall kid with a huge block. She's one of our smarter players over there. She doesn't make a lot of errors, she sees the floor really well, and, offensively, she places the ball where it needs to be."
Simmons, also a third-year sophomore, is returning home after starting her career at Georgia. The Alabaster, Ala., product, who prepped at Thompson High School, played in 23 matches last year, spending time on the outside and in the middle for the Bulldogs.
"We're looking at playing Michele primarily on the right side," Messersmith said. "She is a big, solid block on that right side and coming along offensively, as well. Her reach is amazing."
UAB also has another experienced right side hitter in senior Jordan McDonald, though the Blazers may look to play her on the outside this year because of her all-around athletic ability and the size of Gallagher and Simmons.
