2012 Volleyball Preview: The Corner is in Sight

Things are looking up for the 2012 Toros volleyball team

CARSON -- Despite a 1-25 mark in her inaugural campaign, second-year Cal State Dominguez Hills volleyball head coach Jennifer Adeva feels that the corner is about to be turned for the Toros volleyball program. And with six returning players and a plethora of size as evidenced by seven players who are at least 6-0 tall, Adeva feels the sky's the limit, and a goal she's not hesitant for her team to reach towards.

“We've taken on the underdog role for so long, but I feel like the returners feel like we are a lot better than what maybe the perception is of this program," she begins. "Even being a second year program and still rebuilding to an extent, the team feels like they can make a difference immediately. So that's where our mindset is at.

"As as a coaching staff we have certain goals that we would like to achieve that include our final record, a certain amount of home wins and teams we want to beat on the road as well. It'll be a lot of work but we're in a lot better position than we were last year and I think we are going to surprise a lot of people,” she says with confidence.

Her six returning players include two starters entering their third season on the team, a sophomore who started most of the matches last year, a senior JC transfer who improved the Toros at the net, and another senior transfer who contributed heavily as a libero. Add to that quintet a 6-2 NCAA Division I transfer who produced results before being granted a medical redshirt, and Adeva has plenty reason to smile, and that's not even counting her 12 newcomers who will push the starters for not only playing time, but also for starting spots.

“They know it's going to be a lot of hard work to get on the court, especially in practices and scrimmages, which is going to be a lot different than what it was last year," Adeva says as a matter-of-fact. "There's no doubt in my mind that they are all motivated to win. But they are all motivated to earn a starting spot on the court.

"That's why they feel confident because they know what it will take. We see them improving, and they actually see it, too, so we'll see what happens.

“We're going to be a really physical team, a more physical Cal State Dominguez Hills team with more size," she continues. “Last year we were walking into gyms as the shrimpiest team out there, and I should not be looking at my players on an eye-to-eye level. This year, even from our appearance, we just physically look different. Both the returners and newcomers have worked out very hard in the weight room, with their agility and conditioning, as well as playing.

"They are absolutely ready,” Adeva says with a smile.

Here's a closer look at the Toros at the ready.

THE RETURNERS

The Toros return a pair of battle-tested veterans whom Adeva will rely upon for leadership on and off the court.

Starting all 26 matches last year, junior Elizabeth Krieger led the team in kills (269) and aces (12) as a sophomore. Krieger had 14 matches with double-figure kills, setting a personal best of 22 twice against CS Stanislaus (Oct. 8) and Humboldt State (Oct. 28), boasting 10 matches with at least 10 digs that included a season-best 21 at Humboldt State, one of her seven double-doubles.

“Liz hits a heavy ball, and she'll be a scouting report for a lot of teams in the conference on how many sets go to her," Adeva begins of Krieger, who also is a member of the CSUDH Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). "This year, there won't be as much pressure on Liz because our ball control is better and we will have other options, which should improve her hitting percentage. But she's a competitor and wants to win, and I think she's going to put up big numbers this year."

Like Krieger, fellow junior Abbey Prusa will also be looked upon to lead the Toros. The Simi Valley native was one of four Toros to play in all 86 sets, finishing second on the team in kills (162) and blocks (29), and boasting five matches with at least 10 putaways. A blocking threat, Prusa had six solo blocks last year and had two matches with three block assists.

“Abbey's been trained mainly in the opposite position, but she's versatile enough to hit quicker attacks, and to hit a middle attack," begins Adeva of another SAAC member. "Being a former middle, she's got a really fast swing, a really quick rip so that lower tempo set is really good for her, and it'll put her in a position to score.

"Vocally on the court, Abbey does a great job," Adeva continues. "She's very enthusiastic and she'll be great."

A pleasant surprise last year was the play of outside hitter Azieanna Smith, who played in all 26 matches that included 23 starts as a true freshman. The Victorville native finished third on the team in kills (160), fourth in digs (186), and fifth in service aces (8). Smith reached the double-figure kill mark five times, hammering a career-best 14 kills twice, and notched three double-doubles.

“Last year's experience is going to do wonders for AZ because she knows the conference, and where she can score and what teams are going to go after her," Adeva begins. "Her ball control and defense have improved greatly during the off-season and that's one thing she needed a lot of strength in and she did a great job improving on it.

"She probably hits the hardest ball on the team, and probably has teh best hand control on the team," Adeva continues. "She's one of the smaller outside hitters, but she's got a big arm and a big jump and I think she's going to score.”

Another pleasant surprise was junior Delea Pursel, a 6-1 San Diego Mesa College transfer. Pursel made her presence felt with the highest hitting percentage on the club, as well as high marks in both block solos and block assists. The San Diego native put away 10 balls three times, and enjoyed three multi-block matches and at least two blocks in 11 of her appearances, including six against Western Oregon (Sept 3).

“Delea's gotten a lot stronger physically, and has really learned to be more disciplined as a middle blocker," says Adeva. "With her strength training, she's going to be able to score a little bit more as she can usually hit over the block, but now she can put a little more power behind the ball so to be able to score more efficiently. And she's super quick and very agile, and can go pin-to-pin really well," beamed Adeva.

Senior defensive specialist Rose Greco played in all 26 matches with one start in her first year in Cardinal and Gold. The 5-3 Downey native tallied the third-most digs on the team, digging at least 10 balls in 12 matches, including a season-high 19 against CS Monterey Bay (Oct 15). Of her six aces last year, three came at Chico State in the final match of the year (Nov. 12).

"Rose does a nice job in the back row," begins Adeva. "She reads really well, she plays really well in the middle back. Obviously she'll have an advantage just being a returner. For her, it's just a matter of staying healthy and if she can stay healthy, she will really help us by being a leader on the court as either a setter or libero, and touching a lot of balls."

For redshirt junior middle blocker Whitney Lee, her first-year in the Cardinal and Gold was a short one suffering a season-ending injury. That came after the 6-2 Live Oak native put away 10 balls against Western Oregon (Sept 3), and boasting 3 solo blocks and 10 block assists.

“Whitney hits a heavy ball, and will be able to score a lot," says Adeva as a matter-of-fact. "It's just a matter of getting her the ball. She's very strong and with her physical frame, won't have to rely too much on the perfect set. She has a pretty big window.

"Defensively, she does a really good job blocking," Adeva continues. "Her eye work is very good and she has good timing."

THE NEWCOMERS

With a full recruiting period at her disposal, Adeva brought in 12 talented and experienced newcomers that included five JC transfers and seven true freshmen, with all skilled enough to see ample time on the floor.

Getting acclimated to the pace of CCAA volleyball will be the biggest challenge, but one Adeva feels her recruiting class is up to.

"For the freshmen, the level of play from club to college is a huge jump, as it is for the transfers," Adeva begins. "But I think all the girls compete, and will definitely make their presence felt."

A pair of 6-footers in Corissa Santos and Dana Brown will look to challenge for playing time sooner than later.

A transfer from American River College, Santos was a 1st-team selection who led the Beavers to a 4th-place northern California finish, while true freshman Brown was a three-time 1st-team all-league selection at Mayfair HS as well as the league MVP and Long Beach Press Telegram Dream Team selection who led the Monsoons to the league title in her senior season.

"Corissa is an all-league player who'll have three years with us," begins Adeva. “It's a matter of her getting into the system, but she's 6-0, can score, and is used to scoring.

"Dana, meanwhile, just doesn't leave the court," Adeva continues. "She competed in the Junior Olympics, is physical and very athletic and has great composure on the court. Even though she's only a freshman, she's already teaken on a lot in a leadership role which you have to do as a setter."

A pair of local freshmen in Antoni Perry and Ka'ili Napoleon also are set to push for playing time, and will be part of the program's foundation for years to come.

Perry earned the varsity setter spot in her final two years at West HS, while Napoleon earned two letters en route to all-city and all-league honors.

"Antoni played for Mizuno in Long Beach, and will have a shot to play because she's very versatile and can set, play outside and on the right side," while "Ka'ili absolutely is going to challenge for a defensive position because of her good ball control and being able to place the ball really well."

Junior transfer Chelsea Almario and freshman Michelle Combes are hitters who will give the returners a run for their money. Almario was named a 1st-team all-league selection at Grossmont JC, with Combes earned the Coach's award and was deemed the team captain at Bishop Amat HS.

"Chelsea jumps extremely well, has a lot of potential and is probably one of the more athletic kids out there," says Adeva, with Combes also having "a big jump who can put up a big block as well."

Roaming the middle will be 6-0 Hannah Oros. Teaming with Santos at American River, the Roseville native earned Offensive MVP honors as a sophomore en route to an all-league selection.

Junior transfers Tanner David and Hillary Domecus will also push for time as a hitter and setter/opposite, respectively.

From Arizona, David led Glendale College to back-to-back region titles while Domecus led Napa Valley College to consecutive undefeated seasons en route to being named the league MVP.

"Hannah is very disciplined and great off one foot," begins Adeva, while "Tanner is a ball control player who jumps well and does a nice job in the back row as well." Domecus, meanwhile, "is a true setter who can run the 5-1 or a 6-2, and was trained in club playing for Golden Bear which is a great club team in northern California.

Three local freshmen round out the Toro newcomers with each bringing her own skill-set to the team.

From Santa Fe Springs and Anaheim Hills, respectively, Kathleen Molina and Korryne Kelley both will vie for time as defensive specialists, using identical 5-5 frames to become one with the floor.

"I coached Kathy in club so she already knows the system pretty well and is going to be pretty good," Adeva begins. "It's just a matter of her getting used to the pace of the game, but she's a competitor and has a lot of drive.

"Korryne, on the other hand, played for a good club team, TCA, out of Orange County and was a four-year letter-winner at El Dorado HS," Adeva continues. "She's very disciplined and knows how to read, and will do a nice job back there."

A 6-2 freshman from St. Paul HS in Whittie, Natalie Lopez completes this year's recruiting class and enters having earned a pair of 1st-team all-league honors, as well as a MaxPreps Player of the Year award and two MaxPreps Player of the Week nods.

"Natalie is someone I got really late and I'm looking for her to come in and learn our system and embrace it: lifting, conditioning, learning how we train," Adeva begins. "I think she's going to be a good player and it's just a matter of time for her and training for her."

CONFERENCE OUTLOOK

Despite last year's finish and knowing first-hand that the CCAA is arguably the toughest conference in the nation, Adeva remains optimistic about this season.

"I think realistically we can finish in the middle," she says without hesitation. "When you look at who we're playing and what teams have lost and who we're gaining, that's huge! I think you have your top four, maybe five top schools out of the 12, and everything else in the middle is pretty up for grabs in my opinion, so I think finishing in the middle is realistic, but we'll see how it goes in the first round.”

FINAL THOUGHTS

Having a solid year under her belt after last year's frantic recruiting process, Adeva and her coaching staff have set the tone for this year's team, and literally have nowhere to go but up.

“I'm excited, all the girls are excited, and I'm looking forward to getting everything going and having the newcomers jump on board," she begins. "We'll know right away if they are going to be on board or not, and my staff and I are looking forward to it."

Being able to make goals, however, won't necessarily translate into achieving them without hard work and commitment to the program.

"Right now, I think that's the biggest obstacle because we teach hitting a certain way and there's going to be a big learning curve for the newcomers," she continues. "They will see a lot of success, but it may come later.

"We have a couple new setters coming in and learning the system as well as new hitters leaning how we attack and approach the ball, so having them embrace that and having our setters execute the way we want them to will be key, as well as the returnings having to take on a big leadership role and show them the way.

With that said, Adeva and her staff can't wait for the end of the month, which will hopefully signal a new era for Toros volleyball.

"The first couple of days of practice are going to be a lot of fundamentals and a lot of technique, but my final thoughts are making sure they are all ready to go."

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2012 Volleyball Preview: The Corner is in Sight