Volleyball travels to Atlanta
Nic Schluterman
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: Sports
One week and three matches into the 2008 campaign, the Razorback women's volleyball team can already mark this as a season of firsts.
This is the first season in the program's 15-year history that someone other than current Florida State boss Chris Poole has coached the team, now led by Robert Pulliza.
Last weekend saw the promising debuts of freshmen Kelli Stipanovich and Phoebe Bautista.
And, not unexpected for a program in a state of unprecedented transition, the team is 0-3 to start a season for the first time ever.
"There was a little more pressure the first weekend out," Pulliza said. "Although we have some returners, a lot of them are newcomers, so I think we got some jitters."
The theme of firsts may favor the Hogs this weekend. Arkansas will face three teams they have never beaten.
This second engagement of the Pulliza rebuilding tour begins tonight in Atlanta, where the Razorbacks will battle Georgia Tech, No. 25 Michigan and Georgia State in consecutive days.
Pulliza hopes that Kelli Stipanovich, who leads the team with 19 kills in three matches, can catalyze the anemic Hog attack in the tournament.
"[Kelli] is doing a hell of a job," Pulliza said. "She has great positive energy, and she certainly doesn't play as a freshman."
Sophomore Heather Royal, who is second on the team in kills, is expected to fill a contributing offensive role, Pulliza said.
The attacking duo will have to replace the missed production of senior outside hitter Christina Lawrence, who suffered a strained abdomen in the preseason and is not expected to play in Atlanta.
"Not having [Christina's] kills and leadership as a senior on the court will have to be addressed elsewhere," Pulliza said.
Defensively, Pulliza said Pheobe Bautista was settling into her starting libero role by the end of her first weekend of collegiate competition.
Blocking has traditionally been the strength of Arkansas volleyball, and last week, led by senior Yun Tang's three blocks, the team showed it will continue to be a point of emphasis under the new staff.
This is the first season in the program's 15-year history that someone other than current Florida State boss Chris Poole has coached the team, now led by Robert Pulliza.
Last weekend saw the promising debuts of freshmen Kelli Stipanovich and Phoebe Bautista.
And, not unexpected for a program in a state of unprecedented transition, the team is 0-3 to start a season for the first time ever.
"There was a little more pressure the first weekend out," Pulliza said. "Although we have some returners, a lot of them are newcomers, so I think we got some jitters."
The theme of firsts may favor the Hogs this weekend. Arkansas will face three teams they have never beaten.
This second engagement of the Pulliza rebuilding tour begins tonight in Atlanta, where the Razorbacks will battle Georgia Tech, No. 25 Michigan and Georgia State in consecutive days.
Pulliza hopes that Kelli Stipanovich, who leads the team with 19 kills in three matches, can catalyze the anemic Hog attack in the tournament.
"[Kelli] is doing a hell of a job," Pulliza said. "She has great positive energy, and she certainly doesn't play as a freshman."
Sophomore Heather Royal, who is second on the team in kills, is expected to fill a contributing offensive role, Pulliza said.
The attacking duo will have to replace the missed production of senior outside hitter Christina Lawrence, who suffered a strained abdomen in the preseason and is not expected to play in Atlanta.
"Not having [Christina's] kills and leadership as a senior on the court will have to be addressed elsewhere," Pulliza said.
Defensively, Pulliza said Pheobe Bautista was settling into her starting libero role by the end of her first weekend of collegiate competition.
Blocking has traditionally been the strength of Arkansas volleyball, and last week, led by senior Yun Tang's three blocks, the team showed it will continue to be a point of emphasis under the new staff.
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