March 4, 2011
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - After eight weeks of heavy lifting and individual training, the UCF volleyball team began its non-traditional practice season this week. The squad, which posted its highest number of Conference USA wins in school history in 2010, has set three specific goals for the spring season.
"We have determined that serving must be a huge part of our success in 2011," head coach Todd Dagenais said. "Our serving numbers have improved significantly in three years, but we want to be the No. 1 serving team in the conference.
"We will enter the 2011 campaign with a significantly taller, more physical and more experienced lineup than in previous seasons. Tougher serving will allow our opponents to have fewer options in their serve-receive game. If we can limit our opponent's options, we can definitely use our size to our advantage and block some balls."
Dagenais also said that the team has been working since the start of the semester on implementing a much faster offense to help put additional pressure on opponents' blocking and defensive schemes.
"We have always intended on running this type of offense but, for one reason or another, we have had to delay its installation," he said. "I feel like we are truly ready to embrace these systematic changes, and we have the experience and confidence to install the majority of the playbook now. The team has been using about 40 to 45-percent of the total playbook available. I'm not saying that we will be at 100-percent, a program can't do that until it's using four or five players who have been starting in multiple seasons, but I feel like we will be much closer to 80 to 85-percent now."
After three seasons of being Conference USA's youngest and most inexperienced team in terms of matches started per player, the Knights look to return up to six of the seven starters from last season's 16-16 team.
"We finally have players returning with some matches under their belt," Dagenais said. "The remaining six weeks of training will be used to get returning players more comfortable with the new offensive system and quickly integrate the newest players into the team's philosophy. They have already paid the price with tedious individual-skill training. Now we have the luxury of putting that skill to use in a systems-based practice setting. This has been a significant goal and focus for the spring training."
Redshirt freshman middle hitter Kaye-Alese Green (Jacksonville, Fla.) has been fully cleared to return from an ACL tear suffered in her senior season of high school. She is expected to add some instant size and athleticism to the Knights lineup in the near future.
"Kaye is easily the most athletic player in our gym right now," Dagenias said of the 6-foot-1 Green. "She is almost at 100-percent of her pre-injury power and explosiveness and has a goal of jump touching 10-5 by the start of the fall season. She is well on her way."
Green is expected to primarily compete for playing time in the middle position, but the coaching staff has not ruled out the possibility of her seeing time on the left and right sides.
"We feel her best position may actually be on the right side in the future because of her blocking ability and her ability to attack on the slide approach. She is a great deal like Stephanie Serna, but is about four inches taller and jumps higher," Dagenais said, drawing comparison to UCF's last AVCA All-Region player who graduated after the 2008 season.
Another newcomer, Kayla Keller (San Antonio, Texas), decided to forego her senior year of club volleyball and enroll at UCF a semester early.
"Kayla is absolutely lighting up the gym with her attacking during small group and individual training," Dagenais said. "She is already a complete player who will ultimately lead the team in passing and attacking stats at the outside-hitting position. We have already clocked her attacks well in excess of 52 miles per hour, which could make her the hardest hitter on our team."
Keller will have some large shoes to fill as she replaces graduating second-team All-Conference USA outside hitter Kristen Fisher.
"Having Kayla this spring really does ease the loss of Fisher," Dagenais said. "We will not be able to replace Kristin, but Kayla provides the experienced instant offense that our team needs to start filling in the statistical holes that we need to fill."
The squad will be off for spring break until March 13 and resumes training March 14. UCF will practice in The Venue at UCF on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:30-4:45 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. All training sessions are open to the public and will continue through April 15.
The Knights will have the opportunity to showcase their training as they compete in their NCAA-allowable four days of spring competition. The recently released schedule is as follows:
March 19th Indoor/Outdoor Event at The Venue at UCF and UCF Recreation Center outdoor courts
9 a.m.-12 p.m. Indoor; 2-5 p.m. Outdoor
Competing teams to be announced
March 26th UCF Spring Fling benefitting the Central Florida Children's Home
9 a.m.-7 p.m. at the UCF Arena
UCF welcomes 14 universities including Florida, Florida State, Miami and Auburn
April 9th at Florida
Times to be announced
UCF travels to Gainesville to play Florida, Florida State, and South Florida
April 16th Fiesta on Siesta
9 a.m.-6 p.m.
UCF travels to Siesta Key to defend its 2010 Collegiate Beach Cup Championship