Oct. 5, 2011
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By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Being a senior on any athletic team comes with certain expectations on how to lead on and off the court. Being the only senior on a squad full of juniors and underclassmen can be a difficult task, but senior setter Rachel Vukson (Oakville, Ontario) welcomes the challenge as she leads the UCF volleyball team to one of its best years in recent memory.
Knowing that her seniority can add more pressure because of the responsibilities she holds in helping the younger members of the team keep in check with time and conduct, Vukson has showed no signs of stress in her final year.
The stellar play of underclassmen Angelica Crump (Atlanta, Ga.) and DeLaina Sarden (Lawrenceville, Ga.) has given Vukson the confidence to excel in her role as team leader.
"Sometimes I don't even realize Angelica is even a sophomore," Vukson said. "I definitely don't realize that DeLaina is just a freshman in a game because she has just been doing awesome. Evija (Vilde), I just feel really comfortable with."
Her confidence in her teammates has helped Vukson become a national-recognized setter. Earlier this season after knocking off then-No. 3 USC, the Canadian native earned Sports Imports/AVCA and CVU.com National Player of the Week. Vukson has also been named Conference USA Setter of the Week twice in 2011.
On the receiving end of many Vukson assists in 2011 has been Sarden. The first-year middle blocker has faith in her teammate that she will set her in the best possible situations.
"As a senior, I feel like Rachel adds the experience that we don't really have on the court," Sarden said of her teammate. "I really have confidence when she is setting because she makes smart decisions and gives you confidence to keep hitting whether it is working or not. She is going to believe in you and set you to make sure you get that second chance."
Her stellar assist numbers rank Vukson second in the nation in assists-per-set (12.25), but her added emphasis on the defense during the spring and summer months has made her one of the most complete players in the league.
Reaching a new career-best (18) in digs twice in 2011, Vukson has become a double-double machine. Having already achieved seven double-dips in assists and digs this season, Vukson is on will tie her 2010 total the next time she reaches double-digit numbers in both categories in a match.
"That was one of the things last year I wanted to work on, and also Todd and the rest of the coaching staff wanted me to work on as well," Vukson said about the added emphasis on defense. "I've really just focused on that in the spring, and it has just translated to my play during the season."
Coming off the loss at Marshall, Vukson's leadership is needed even more as she looks to get her team back on track this weekend against a surging UAB (14-2) team.
"That was a tough loss for us," Vukson added. "We just weren't doing the little things that we needed to do like we have been talking about all season long. Now we know that teams just aren't going to fall over for us. It is driving us more to come up with two wins this weekend."
Vukson's confidence in helping her team right the ship this weekend is just one of the many qualities that head coach Todd Dagenais relishes about in the Tulsa transfer.
"I think the greatest thing that Rachel brings to our program is a very powerful intensity and a very huge drive to win," Dagenais said about Vukson. "Obviously that experience of having competed at a top-level school (Tulsa) before coming here is paramount to us. She knows how to win matches. She knows when things are going well and also knows when they aren't. She does a great job of fixing those things when they aren't. As we continue to go forward and deal with adversity, we are going to need that experience and confidence to lead us."
With the Knights still in the driver's seat to meet their lofty season goals, Vukson is keeping the attitude positive as the season marches on.
"I think we can accomplish everything we want to accomplish," Vukson said. "Right now we are tied in third with a bunch of teams in conference, and the team in second we are playing twice this weekend. I think there is still a really good chance that we can accomplish what we want to."
The Knights return to the court this Friday night against UAB at 7 p.m. in the "Dig For The Cure" match to raise awareness about breast cancer and to benefit the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the match and partake in many activities to help raise funds for the foundation.
On Saturday, UCF and UAB will return for a second match at 4 p.m. inside The Venue. Admission is free to everyone.