Volleyball's Unfinished Business

July 31, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. - One team goal this year is the same as in years past. Only this time around, the desire for the University of Oklahoma volleyball team to get back to the NCAA Tournament is stronger than ever.

For a team that fell two wins shy of consideration in 2008, closing the door on an emotional whirlwind of a season means opening a new one to a very promising 2009.

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A team that was so young in 2008 has a renewed, fresh mindset. The freshmen from a year ago are all sophomores now. Sophomores with expereience.

Oklahoma returns all six position starters and four different team statistical leaders from 2008. Of the 10 returning, just two are seniors.

All three juniors play the same position, providing ample depth at middle blocker. While the returning setters bring experience as sophomores, the defensive specialists want to prove that classification is just a word.

Two players from the 2008 team were honored for their play last year. Sophomores Brianne Barker and Caitlin Higgins were named to the All-Big 12 Freshman team. Higgins earned the Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week award last year, as well.

Junior Francie Ekwerekwu and senior Bridget Laplante also return and are looking to punch another ticket to the postseason.

Not only did the team get much needed experience in the fall, the returning players had a promising spring in preparation for the 2009 campaign.

That experience will be needed as the Sooners play in the toughest conference in the country. At Oklahoma, the philosophy is simple. If you want to be the best, play the best. Challenging schedules are the norm and playing in the Big 12 means being at the top of your game every game.

A tough schedule and needed experience give the Sooners all the tools necessary to pick up where they left off last season and finish the journey once and for all.

SETTERS

Sophomore Brianne Barker returns after a stellar freshman season. The Amarillo, Texas, native was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman team and set an Oklahoma freshman record with 1,035 assists. While last year proved to be a learning experience for Barker, she looks to take command on the floor this season after tweaking her technique during the spring.

As the cornerstone of the offense, Barker's ability to not only set up the offense but defend made her a key component during the 2008 season. Her defensive dig total grew as the season went on. She ended the year averaging 2.85 per set, third best on the team.

Playing behind Barker, sophomore Kylie Cowan saw limited time in 2008. Cowan played in 13 sets, recording two service aces in those four-match appearances.

ATTACKERS

Given that the attacking corps of Oklahoma's offense only features one starting senior, the future is bright for a talented group of players. Senior Bridget Laplante leads the group that gave OU plenty of spark during the 2008 season.

Laplante averaged 2.28 kills per set in 2008 and was second on the team with 3.17 digs per set. Laplante's presence was one felt all over the floor. She recorded eight service aces on the season and totaled 29 blocks.

One of the most electrifying players on the floor for Oklahoma in 2009 will be sophomore Caitlin Higgins. The outside hitter from Amarillo, Texas, should once again showcase her powerful ability to strike from anywhere on the floor.
Higgins earned Big 12 All-Freshman honors in 2008 but before then, she became the first Sooner to earn the Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week honor on November 4. Higgins was second on the team in kills with 2.49 per set and averaged 2.84 digs per set for good measure.

One player who opened eyes last season was right side/outside hitter Suzy Boulavsky. Boulavsky made waves after being inserted into the lineup during the Trojan Invitational in Los Angeles. Playing in 24 matches, Boulavsky averaged 1.79 kills per set and provided 60 total blocks on the year.

OU's other senior, Jackie Fotu, hopes to see playing time after an off-season injury. Fotu started three matches early in the 2008 season and saw action in 12 total. She averaged 0.51 blocks per set in that time.

Freshman Morgan Reynolds will contend for playing time this season. Reynolds brings an impressive list of accomplishments to Norman. Hailing from Blue Springs, Mo., Reynolds led Blue Springs High School to three straight Suburban Conference Big Seven championships. She was a first team all-state selection in 2008 and participated in the 2008 Missouri/Kansas All-Star game.

MIDDLE BLOCKERS

The defenders of the net for Oklahoma happen to have a pretty good strike, too. Featuring perhaps the most dominant player in the lineup and, for sure, the tallest, the middle blockers add a different dimension of protection and attack to the offense.

Perhaps the most veteran group on the team, the middle blockers are all juniors with significant playing time to their credit.

Considered to be the most explosive player on the floor, junior Francie Ekwerekwu returns as OU's kills leader. Ekwereku delivered the swing that gave the Sooners their first-ever win in Austin last season. The Arlington, Texas, native averaged 2.66 kills per set and 0.81 blocks. Of her 74 total blocks, 14 of those solo blocks.

The tallest player on the team, Broken Arrow's Sarah Freudenrich, looks to continue her successful streak from 2008. After getting a chance to play off the bench, Freudenrich earned her way into the starting lineup. She ended the season with a 2.12 kills per set and 0.85 blocks per set, after playing in only 15 matches. She earned Big 12 Rookie of the Week honors on October 22.

Chrissy Disarro averaged 1.60 kills and 1.27 blocks per set in 21 matches played during 2008. Disarro's power punch provides depth behind Ekwerekwu and Freudenrich.

DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS

The youngest group on the team looks to play like three-year veterans as a sophomore and two freshmen take the reins as the team's defensive specialists.

Sophomore Danielle Alva saw limited playing time in 2008, but recorded 1.23 digs per set in 14 matches played.

Freshman María Fernanda brings a ton of national team experience from Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican U20 National Team member won a silver medal at the 2007 Central American and Caribben School Sport Games and holds all-star awards from Copa Primera Hora (2006) and Copa El Nuevo Día (2007).

Alex Edwards, a freshman from Katy, Texas, earned two varsity letters in high school at the DS position and had 54 service aces and 280 digs as a senior.

Players Mentioned

Danielle Alva

Brianne Barker

Suzy Boulavsky

Kylie Cowan

Chrissy Disarro

Francie Ekwerekwu

Jackie Fotu

Sarah Freudenrich

Caitlin Higgins

Bridget Laplante

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