The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
2010 UAB Volleyball Preview: Outside Hitter
8/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 25, 2010
This is the third and final segment of a three-part series previewing the 2010 UAB volleyball team. After looking at the middle blockers and right side hitters on Monday and the defensive specialists and setters on Tuesday, today's preview focuses on 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.
Outside Hitters
The Blazers brought in a whole new crop of players on the outside for 2010. The lone returning player at that spot in senior Jordan McDonald.
McDonald can play on the outside or the right side, though the Blazers may choose to play her at the outside position because of tremendous blocking size of Kirsten Gallagher and Michele Simmons on the right.
Last year, McDonald demonstrated her versatility, finishing with eight double-doubles as one of the team's top attackers and back row players.
"Jordan's probably our best all-around athlete and player," UAB head coach Kerry Messersmith said. "She had never played back row until last year, and she's turned into a really strong back row player, defensively and passing. I think with a year under her belt, she'll be a lot more comfortable in that position of a six-rotation player."
Four fresh faces -- two junior college transfers and two freshmen -- will join McDonald in the competition for playing time on the outside.
Bobbi Bayer joins the Blazers as a two-time junior college All-American. Another all-around player, she averaged 3.31 kills and 2.82 digs per set last year at Des Moines Area Community College.
"Bobbi is very smart player who sees the floor well and is an above average athlete," Messersmith said. "She hits the ball harder than any kid I've ever had. Our back row players just dig in, and it hurts when she hits."
Thais Soares also arrives at UAB as a transfer after playing two years at Jefferson College in Missouri. The Brazil native averaged 3.44 kills and 3.59 digs per frame as a first-team all-conference performer last year.
"Thais is a strong passer and defensive player with has great ball control," Messersmith said. "Like all of them in this group, she is very competitive and wants to be out on the floor."
Ally Slaughter is one of two freshmen competing on the outside. The local product from nearby Pelham High School capped her prep career with more than 1,200 kills and was a 2009 all-state selection.
"Ally has done a great job as a freshman," Messersmith said. "She's probably a little bit better jumper than the others. Ally's strength is her emotion. She plays with great heart, and she certainly plays at a different level because of it."
Additionally, freshman Rachel Fairbanks joins the Blazers as a player that can both attack and defend. A Texas native, she was also an all-state selection in 2009 as she helped Cinco Ranch High School to a third-place finish in the state tournament.
"Rachel is just a tremendous athlete," Messersmith said. "She is a great ball-control player. She's shorter but has a great jump, and I look to see her push for a place out on the floor."
