VB Preview: Middles and Outsides

Aug. 21, 2007

NORMAN, Okla. - As the No. 22 Oklahoma volleyball team prepares for its season opening tournament at the Howard McCasland Field House this weekend, SoonerSports.com will be providing previews of the 2007 squad all week.

The Sooners will open the 2007 season this Friday at 7 p.m. against Denver in its first game of the Sooner Legends Nike Invitational. Oklahoma will close out the tournament with a 10 a.m. contests against Seton Hall on Saturday morning and a 7 p.m. match up with Alabama at 7 p.m. Saturday night.

Tuesday's installment will feature Ou's outside hitters and middle blockers. ______________________________________________________________

OUTSIDE HITTERS
Returning Players:
Mariana Blum (0.48 KPG, 0.79 DPG)
Bridget Laplante (3.05 KPG, 2.12 DPG)
Sarah Weiland (2.39 KPG, 0.71 BPG)

Newcomers:
Megan Bess, Jasmine Powell, Jackie Fotu

The outsides look to be OU's most obvious strength entering the season as OU's lone two returning starters will occupy the outside and right side spots. Weiland and Laplante will join Blum as familiar faces on the outside while newcomers Megan Bess, Jasmine Powell and Fotu will add more depth at the position.

Weiland, a senior, averaged 2.39 kills and 0.71 blocks per game last season for one of the top offenses in the Big 12. The opposite side hitter is expected to produce bigger numbers this season as she will be relied upon more heavily this season with her experience.

A candidate for Freshman of the Year last season, Laplante was one of OU's top options during her rookie campaign as she averaged more than three kills per game while collecting 2.12 digs per game. After a year in Restrepo's system, Laplante is expected be one of Oklahoma's go-to players on offense.

Blum only saw action last season as a sub during serving situations, but Restrepo has been impressed with her improvement on defense as well as the power she has added to the game and will likely see more court time this fall.

OU's three newcomers will provide strong depth as well as constant competition. While a newcomer to the OU program, Fotu has experience at the collegiate level as the transfer from College of Southern Idaho who played in every match of the season with an average of 2.23 kills per game. Bess and Powell both bring extreme, raw power and court awareness and can jump extremely well at the net.

"This position is going to be one that gives us a lift at any given moment," Restrepo said. "They are an exciting group to watch and every single one of them is extremely athletic and talented."

MIDDLE BLOCKERS
Returning Players:
Anna Stadel (1.30 KPG, 0.87 BPG)
Francie Ekwerekwu (redshirt freshman)

Newcomers:
Chrissy Disarro, Sarah Machen

The front row could be one of the biggest question marks for the Sooners entering the season as they will have to replace All-American Eliane Santos and All-Big 12 performer Laura Tomes. The depth chart will feature two newcomers, a redshirt freshman and a senior who will be in heavy competition for playing time.

Stadel brings the most experience to the foursome. Despite starting only six matches last season, the 6-1 senior was a constant in the lineup during her sophomore campaign and ranks in the top five on the OU career lists in blocks per game and solo blocks.

The only other returning Sooner at middle blocker is Ekwerekwu, a redshirt freshman who will be making her first collegiate appearance this season.

"Francie and Anna were tremendous in the spring and have developed and improved their game since last year," Restrepo said. "Their side-to-side movement has really improved which is going to benefit the entire team."

Also battling for court time will be true freshmen Disarro and Machen. Disarro presents a challenge to defenders as the long arms on her 6-1 frame make her a strong force at the net while Machen, also standing at 6-1, has a niche for blocking as well as great instincts at the net.

"Our goal with the middles this year is to get good penetration on defense and get them in a lot of 1-on-1 situations that will work to our advantage on offense," Restrepo said.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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