Volleyball Q&A Preview Series: Defenders
Aug 18, 2015 | Volleyball
OMAHA, Neb. -- With the start of the 2015 volleyball season just over a week away, head coach Rose Shires has engaged in a four-part Q&A series on OMavs.com to provide an outlook of her team as it prepares for its first Division I year with full NCAA postseason eligibility. This week, Shires previews the Mavericks' defenders.
OMavs.com: What qualifies do you look for in a libero at UNO?
Shires: "The libero should be a steady, consistent player. A libero should be the verbal leader of the defense, making adjustments during play and making sure the entire team is covering the correct areas. She should be the best passer, defensive player and server on the court, and she should be able to cover a wide range of the court and keep her team in system as much as possible."
OMavs.com: What have you seen so far in your two defenders heading into 2015?
Shires: "Kimberly Bailey is a steady, driven backcourt player who is an exceptional team leader. She has really improved her defensive range and her passing accuracy heading into her senior season.
"Jessica Plake is a freshman who is extremely competitive and has great range and reading ability defensively. She is an excellent passer and will bring great depth to the defense."
Check OMavs.com next week for the fourth installment of Coach Shires' preseason preview Q&A series, covering Omaha's middle blockers. The Mavericks host their annual Black/White Scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 22 and officially open the 2015 season Friday, Aug. 28 at the UNLV Invitational in Las Vegas, Nev.
2015 PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL Q&A SCHEDULE
Week 1 – Setters/Rightside Hitters
Week 2 -- Outside Hitters
Week 3 – Defenders
Week 4 -- Middle Blockers
OMavs.com: What qualifies do you look for in a libero at UNO?
Shires: "The libero should be a steady, consistent player. A libero should be the verbal leader of the defense, making adjustments during play and making sure the entire team is covering the correct areas. She should be the best passer, defensive player and server on the court, and she should be able to cover a wide range of the court and keep her team in system as much as possible."
OMavs.com: What have you seen so far in your two defenders heading into 2015?
Shires: "Kimberly Bailey is a steady, driven backcourt player who is an exceptional team leader. She has really improved her defensive range and her passing accuracy heading into her senior season.
"Jessica Plake is a freshman who is extremely competitive and has great range and reading ability defensively. She is an excellent passer and will bring great depth to the defense."
Check OMavs.com next week for the fourth installment of Coach Shires' preseason preview Q&A series, covering Omaha's middle blockers. The Mavericks host their annual Black/White Scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 22 and officially open the 2015 season Friday, Aug. 28 at the UNLV Invitational in Las Vegas, Nev.
2015 PRESEASON VOLLEYBALL Q&A SCHEDULE
Week 1 – Setters/Rightside Hitters
Week 2 -- Outside Hitters
Week 3 – Defenders
Week 4 -- Middle Blockers
Players Mentioned
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/ Volleyball
DS
/ VolleyballWednesday, August 26
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
