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Tulane Volleyball Outlook, Part II
Aug. 14, 2006 NEW ORLEANS, La. - In part two of a three-day series on the Green Wave volleyball team, TulaneGreenWave.com provides an insight to Tulane's middle blockers and setters. The series will conclude tomorrow with the libero/defensive specialists and the schedule. MIDDLE BLOCKERS Last season, the Green Wave started a pair of true freshmen in the middle with Boatwright and Linder in the every-day lineup. Those two, along with Thorson, are now a year older, stronger and wiser after learning on the job in 2005. Vlaskovic may also see time in the middle in addition to playing outside and right-side hitter. That experience will no doubt pay major dividends in 2006 as the trio will be counted on not only to provide a defensive presence at the net, but also a viable option on offense to help keep opposing defenses from focusing their block along the pins. "Our middle blockers have primarily defensive responsibilities, but we are hoping to develop a fast tempo as much as possible to create multiple scoring opportunities from all the hitters," Kritza said. "Having productive middles is essential to a well-rounded offense." The duo of Boatwright and Linder combined to post 230 kills and 138 blocks in 2005. Boatwright led Tulane middles last season in blocks (92), while Linder paced the position in kills (118). Thorson, meanwhile, moved around as a junior and Vlaskovic's athleticism figures to play a major role in the time she sees in the middle. "Jen is an athletic middle who is quick and is a tenacious blocker," Kritza said. "Lauren is the taller of the two and was able to make more of an impact defensively with her size. Both of them have been working extremely hard during the offseason, and I expect them both to be that much better this year." SETTERS The Green Wave have the luxury of having a pair of accomplished setters on the team, but there is only one combined season of college experienced among the two.
"The setter is the quarterback of the team," Kritza said. "They orchestrate the entire offense and need to have a great understanding of the team's capabilities and strategies. Having the flexibility to run two different offenses is a luxury not many teams have. This flexibility will be useful in putting the best match-up on the floor at ay given moment." In 2005, Rebrovic posted perhaps the best performance by a freshman setter in Tulane history. She average 12.30 assists per game while ranking second on the squad in digs (228) and digs per game (3.08). Pushing her for playing time is Lindelow, who was a four-time, first-team all-district selection and was named first-team all-state her final three seasons at Mandeville (La.) High. She helped her prep squad to the state championship game in each of the past two seasons, and claimed state Player of the Year honors as a senior. "Luna has been working hard to develop not just her setting skills, but the full complement of volleyball skills," Kritza said. "She also worked on the physical side of the game, namely her strength and speed. "Rachel is a young player with a high ceiling. She played setter and outside hitter in high school, and by narrowing her focus to just setting, we look forward to having her produce when called on.
Yesterday: Overall & Outside/Right-Side Hitters
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