The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Volleyball Player Profiles: Setters
9/16/2020 1:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM — Throughout the month, UABSports.com will profile the 2020-21 UAB volleyball team. Today we are looking at the setters featuring Lidya Canturk, Grace Koper and Laney Dale.
"Setter are creators," said head coach Betsy Freeburg. "Their job is to take whatever is given to them and then create a better situation for our hitters and team. Their job is just as important to a volleyball team as a quarterback is to a football team or a point guard to a basketball team. They call the plays, and as it develops, they chose which option is best. Setters at UAB are expected to "deal hope" to both our team and our attackers at all times."
Lidya Canturk, So., Istanbul, Turkey
Canturk comes to UAB after playing one season at the University of Toronto. With the Varsity Blues, she played in 22 matches and 62 sets. Canturk saw a season-high 43 assists versus Ryerson Rams Women on Oct. 26, 2019. In Turkey, she played for one of the top women's first league programs. She was chosen as the best setter in 2017 and 2018 in helping her tram win the second league final.
Coach Freeburg on Canturk:
With her international experience, Lidya has a unique perspective to the setting position. She is learning our system and tempos and getting more and more comfortable in our gym. Lidya does a great job bringing energy to our training sessions.
Grace Koper, So., Colleyville, Texas
During her freshman season, Koper played in 26 matches and 78 sets. She saw a season-high 37 assists versus Samford and 18 digs at Mississippi State. In high school, Koper was named the 2017 5A Setter of the Year. Over her four years with the Colleyville Panthers, she led the team to 30-wins and postseason berths each year. In her final three seasons, Koper complied 3,160 assists and 149 aces.
Coach Freeburg on Koper:
Laney is one of the most improved players in our gym from our first practices in August. She has put a lot of focus and determination into her training that she is starting to see pay off in both her accuracy and her decision making.
Laney Dale, Fr., Brock, Texas
Dale comes from Brock, Texas where she played for the Brock Eagles. In high school, she was named to the 2019 Nationals All-Tournament team.
Coach Freeburg on Dale:
Earlier this summer, Grace was named one of our team captains and she is working daily on how to bring that leadership to the setting position. Grace has consistently led the team in assists so far this fall and we are looking forward to seeing her continue to grow both as a setter and a leader.
Check UABSports.com for the latest updates to the 2020-21 schedule.
Volleyball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2020-21 Gold Card for $65 here. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB volleyball team, follow @UAB_VB on Twitter and Instagram.
"Setter are creators," said head coach Betsy Freeburg. "Their job is to take whatever is given to them and then create a better situation for our hitters and team. Their job is just as important to a volleyball team as a quarterback is to a football team or a point guard to a basketball team. They call the plays, and as it develops, they chose which option is best. Setters at UAB are expected to "deal hope" to both our team and our attackers at all times."
Lidya Canturk, So., Istanbul, Turkey
Canturk comes to UAB after playing one season at the University of Toronto. With the Varsity Blues, she played in 22 matches and 62 sets. Canturk saw a season-high 43 assists versus Ryerson Rams Women on Oct. 26, 2019. In Turkey, she played for one of the top women's first league programs. She was chosen as the best setter in 2017 and 2018 in helping her tram win the second league final.
Coach Freeburg on Canturk:
With her international experience, Lidya has a unique perspective to the setting position. She is learning our system and tempos and getting more and more comfortable in our gym. Lidya does a great job bringing energy to our training sessions.
Grace Koper, So., Colleyville, Texas
During her freshman season, Koper played in 26 matches and 78 sets. She saw a season-high 37 assists versus Samford and 18 digs at Mississippi State. In high school, Koper was named the 2017 5A Setter of the Year. Over her four years with the Colleyville Panthers, she led the team to 30-wins and postseason berths each year. In her final three seasons, Koper complied 3,160 assists and 149 aces.
Coach Freeburg on Koper:
Laney is one of the most improved players in our gym from our first practices in August. She has put a lot of focus and determination into her training that she is starting to see pay off in both her accuracy and her decision making.
Laney Dale, Fr., Brock, Texas
Dale comes from Brock, Texas where she played for the Brock Eagles. In high school, she was named to the 2019 Nationals All-Tournament team.
Coach Freeburg on Dale:
Earlier this summer, Grace was named one of our team captains and she is working daily on how to bring that leadership to the setting position. Grace has consistently led the team in assists so far this fall and we are looking forward to seeing her continue to grow both as a setter and a leader.
Check UABSports.com for the latest updates to the 2020-21 schedule.
Volleyball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2020-21 Gold Card for $65 here. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB volleyball team, follow @UAB_VB on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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