Season Preview: Liberos
August 23, 2010 | Volleyball
Aug. 23, 2010
Washington's greatest experience heading into the 2010 season comes up close to the net, where they have All-American upperclassmen well versed in finishing off a point with authority. But much of the team's success this season will be determined by how effectively the Huskies can funnel the ball up to the hitters.
As it is every year, passing will be a major focal point, and the liberos have the leading role. The Huskies are down to two liberos after carrying five on the roster a year ago, and will be tasked with replacing three-time All-American Tamari Miyashiro, but focusing on what UW lost misses out on what they have returning.
Jenna Orlandini (La Cañada, Calif.) has impressed head coach Jim McLaughlin every day in practice and could be ready to dive into the action after redshirting the 2009 season. Her passing in practice has been very solid, and McLaughlin sees the intangibles in her daily approach that Washington has enjoyed in the position with Miyashiro and Candace Lee before her.
"Jenna doesn't change much so she's a little like me," McLaughlin said. "She is one of those people that gives everything she has all the time. It doesn't matter what the situation is or what the conditions are, when she's in, she does things the way you're supposed to."
Orlandini exhibited her toughness recently during fall camp, when she was the recipient of two volleyballs delivered express straight into her face in one practice. Momentarily dazed, the redshirt frosh shook it off and got back in the mix. The next day at the team's film session, Orlandini showed up wearing a Husky football helmet.
"I wish I had 14 J.O.s on my team," said McLaughlin. "I have always admired the way the players in this program work but JO kind of sets the standards in terms of work for this team. She only knows one speed every play every day and that means more to me than anything. I also think she is beginning to contribute in terms of her leadership, which is critical for this team. I love coaching this kid."
Also making major strides is sophomore Kelly Holford (Long Beach, Calif.), who saw time as a serving specialist last year and got some back row work. Her commitment to improve has been second to none, and Coach McLaughlin has seen the fruits of that hard work.
"Kelly has made progress and, as a result, she is having more and more good days. Her movements are becoming much simpler which allows her to be much more consistent with her movements and she can repeat proper movements more easily," McLaughlin said. "She can make a much more significant contribution to this team this year if she continues to make progress. She's a tough player and I have faith in her and her ability to work at the things she needs to address."
But the success of the Husky passing game won't come down to one, or in this case two, players. Washington's outside hitters will need to come through with the tough digs when teams serve away from the liberos. 2009 seniors Jill Collymore and Airial Salvo were also asked to handle many of the passing duties, so seniors Kindra Carlson, Becky Perry, and sophomore Kylin Muñoz will often have to help themselves on the defensive end before they can rack up the kills.
Fast and accurate passing will give the setters more options and give the defense less time to react. But with McLaughlin, it all starts with the eyes, and players learning to read and react to where the opponent is going to attack.
"The better we pass, the more we can do and the better we can play. All our players are learning how to move when passing and we have gotten to a point where what we see is now the key," McLaughlin says. "So, we are spending a significant amount of time each day practicing our receipt of serve in order to improve what we are seeing from our opponent's servers. We have made progress but there is a lot more learning to take place and a lot to accomplish, but I have great faith in these kids and, hopefully, we will continue to improve. They understand there are no guarantees so we have to continue to work and compete very hard with every opportunity to contact the ball."
