2005 Oklahoma Volleyball Preview

NORMAN, Okla. - The Oklahoma volleyball squad held its first preseason practice Tuesday, Aug. 9 inside the newly renovated Howard McCasland Field House. The 2005 club, under the direction of second-year head coach Santiago Restrepo, held a two-hour scrimmage for its first meeting.

OU will host three weeks of practice before opening the season at TCU on Saturday, Aug. 27 in Dallas, Texas. This year's team returns nine players and five starters from the 2004 squad that produced OU's best record since 1997 (12-17) and the best start in school history (8-0).

2005 Schedule | 2005 Roster | 2004 Statistics

SoonerSports.com offers a brief preview of the 2005 Oklahoma squad below.

Dreaming Big ... Again
Coming off its best season since 1997, the Oklahoma volleyball team continues its quest to “Dream Big.”

The theme, developed by Restrepo last year is being repeated in 2005. Restrepo enters his second year at Oklahoma looking to improve on last year's 12-17 record and continuing to make big strides in conference action.

While 2004 saw much improvement from previous years, Restrepo continues to pursue his goal of Big 12 Championships and an NCAA berth.

Restrepo doesn't plan on changing anything from last year, including the theme, in order to raise Oklahoma volleyball to the top. He has always believed passion and hard work will lead the way to success.

“From day one, I have tried to establish a new attitude in this program,” Restrepo said. “There is a major difference between loving to play the sport and having passion. I want my teams to fight tooth and nail every second they are on the court. Don't back down and when things get tough, turn it up another level. It all boils down to having more heart than your opponent.”

The new dimension in the 2005 Sooner squad will be the exciting recruiting class. The talented class consists of a two-time junior college All-American, two sophomore transfers and two freshmen. The group is expected to contribute immediately in the Oklahoma lineup.

The only other changes will be additional systems in the playbook and a few position changes. The following will give a brief look at each position heading into the 2005 year.

Anna Monsen

Defensive Specialist/Libero
This position has depth. Even with the graduation of former defensive specialist/libero Stephanie Tengram, there will be four Sooners competing for the role. While all possess different talents at the position, Restrepo is looking for a well-rounded player.

“I'm looking for someone who can pass great as well as serve and play defense,” Restrepo said. “I believe that all of them will learn from each other and we will be able to have a couple that will be able to contribute at the position.”

Junior Anna Monsen owns the advantage at the position after competing regularly in 28 matches last season. Sophomore Lindsay Schuessler saw limited playing time last season, but now has a year of collegiate experience.

Sophomore-transfer Hannah Sharp will be a new face on the squad after playing in a reserve role at Louisville her freshman season. Sharp is expected to help in the front, is gifted in the back row and will also be looked to for help at the right side. Newcomer Abbi Owens will provide additional competition at the position and will also play outside hitter as well.

Jennifer Adams

Middle Blocker
This looks to be the Sooners' biggest strength heading into the 2005 season. With two starters returning, OU has proven depth at the position. The only loss will be in junior Laura Tomes who has moved to the right side. In addition, the volleyball program welcomes its biggest recruit in years in two-time Junior College All-American Eliane Santos (College of Southern Idaho).

The returning duo include senior Jennifer Adams and sophomore Anna Stadel. Adams was the Sooners' most consistent player in the early part of 2004 and finished the season averaging 2.0 kills and 1.05 blocks per game. The senior has improved every season and looks for the 2005 campaign to be the best yet.

Stadel ranked among the top 10 in the Big 12 in blocks with 11 solos and 52 assists for a 1.20 per game average.

Santos should make an immediate contribution. As a sophomore at Southern Idaho, she averaged 4.07 kills per game while hitting a .375 clip.

“She's extremely versatile and her leadership and calmness will be a great asset,” Restrepo said.

Laura Tomes

Right Side
With veteran leader Keri Coats lost to graduation and other position changes, the program will not have much experience at the right side. Battling it out for the starting nod will be Tomes and Sharp.

Tomes , a constant starter at middle blocker in 2004, will have to make the switch to right side. The junior also faces another challenge after tearing her meniscus in early July which resulted in surgery on her left knee. Tomes will only have a month to recover and it is unknown how healthy she will be, but Restrepo expects her to be a constant in the Sooner lineup.

Last season, Tomes owned the best block per game average on the team with 1.27, which ranked among the top 10 in the Big 12. In addition, Tomes holds the OU career record for rally-scoring hitting percentage with a .255 clip.

Sharp will also be playing a new role after competing as a libero at Louisville. The sophomore is a talented defender and is expected to be a strong contributor at the right side.

Joanna Schmitt

Outside Hitters
The Sooners remain solid at this position with veteran starter junior Joanna Schmitt and senior Gabriela Tonon returning. The offense begins with these two, particularly Schmitt.

Schmitt took on the role of team captain in 2004 and didn't disappoint. While being the vocal leader of the squad, she also collected 425 kills during her sophomore campaign for an average of 4.01 per game (ninth in the Big 12). The versatile Schmitt collected 13 double-doubles in 2004 and led the team with 20 aces.

While Schmitt will continue to remain the first option on offense, there will be pressure taken off to allow her more freedom on the court. Restrepo expects most opponents to respect Santos which will open up opportunities for Schmitt.

Tonon made her presence known last year after being somewhat of a wild card entering the season as a juco transfer. The Brazilian started 25 of 29 matches and added double-digit kills in 13 matches. While starting out at left side, she was moved to middle blocker in the middle of the season in an effort to shore up the front line. Now that she has moved back to her original position, Restrepo expects even bigger things for Tonon.

While Schmitt and Tonon will be the expected starters, look for Owens and sophomore transfer Sarah Weiland to push the starters while adding depth at the position.

Restrepo believes Owens' versatility will be her biggest asset while Weiland arrives from Tulane where she was a constant in the Green Wave lineup, starting 22 of 29 matches. In addition, she ranked third on the team with 278 kills, an average of 3.16 per game.

Julie Chester

Setter
Entering last season this position was quite a battle and the competitiveness will remain this year. Once again junior Rachel Jackson and sophomore Julie Chester will battle for the starting nod.

Chester took the starting reins away from Jackson in the final 16 matches of 2004 season and averaged 10.9 assists during that span. As a freshman, Chester ranked in the top 10 among Big 12 players in assists. With a year of experience, Chester has gotten stronger and gained valuable leadership experience.

Jackson owns more experience and was the Sooners' starter until midway last season while averaging 11.14 assists in the first 13 matches.

Restrepo believes the battle will be determined in preseason and the starting nod to the player who steps it up in consistency and leadership.

The Schedule
Oklahoma will face 10 opponents that reached the NCAA Tournament in 2004, seven of which are Big 12 foes.

The Sooners open their season with an August 27 match against Texas Christian in Fort Worth, Texas.

The next stop will be the Hampton Inn Bama Bash in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Oklahoma will square off against Indiana Friday, Sept. 2, and finish the doubleheader with a test against NCAA qualifier Loyola that evening. The Sooners round out the four-team tournament with a Sept. 3 meeting with Alabama.

Heading back to Norman, the Sooners host their home opener against UT-Arlington Wednesday, Sept. 7 at the newly remodeled Howard McCasland Fieldhouse. It will mark the first match between both teams since 2001.

After the home opener, OU hits the road for its final non-conference tournament before Big 12 action begins. The Sooners will be one of eight teams at the UTSA Dome Rally in San Antonio, Texas, and will face two NCAA teams in Rice and Notre Dame on Sept. 9 -10, respectively. The squad finishes the tournament slate with a Sept. 11 meeting with host school UT-San Antonio.

After a tough non-conference schedule, the Sooners will open Big 12 action against a Kansas State squad that advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. OU's conference home opener against the Wildcats is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Entering his second season, Restrepo is still aiming for the same goal of finishing in the top half of the conference.

“Our goal is always to make it to the NCAA Tournament,” Restrepo said. “I believe we can achieve that by finishing in the top half of the conference. Seven out of 11 teams in the Big 12 reached the NCAA Tournament last year. This shows we can do it if we finish above .500.”

The Sooners face an early test in a home rivalry match against 2004 Big 12 Champion Nebraska Wednesday, Sept. 28. Senior night for 2005 graduates Jennifer Adams and Gabriela Tonon will take place Wednesday, Nov. 23, against Red River rival Texas, a 2004 NCAA Sweet Sixteen squad.

For the second consecutive year, Restrepo has filled the Sooners' conference bye with a non-conference meeting in the middle of Big 12 action. OU will face Oral Roberts Wednesday, Oct. 5 in Tulsa, Okla. The Sooners will look to extend their winning streak over the Golden Eagles to three.

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