At this point in preseason volleyball practice, everybody is curious and that starts with coach Sharon Dingman. So she will be just as anxious as anyone to see her 2002 teams first public appearance at Saturdays 3 p.m. scrimmage in Redbird Arena. Its open to the public and admission is free.
The scrimmage is a good opportunity to see where we are as a team, said Dingman. One of the reasons we like the public scrimmage is to let the freshmen put their uniform on and work some jitters out. It will be different against Florida State (season opener, Aug. 30), but this will give them an opportunity to see what it feels like.
The other curiosity for Dingman, starting her third season with the Redbirds, is settling on a lineup. After nearly two weeks of practice, only seniors Jenny Kabbes (middle) and Erin Jones (left side hitter), plus sophomore setter Kelly Rikli have secured starting spots. Dingman also believes that sophomore Paige White will be the first back row option, perhaps performing the libero duties--a free back-row substitute for any slot but the server--allowed under a new rule.
There are still spots up for grabs, said Dingman. Hopefully, those positions will stabilize between now and when we play Florida State, but I sure like the competition I see in the gym every day.
Freshmen are involved in all three open spots. Rookies Emily Kabbes and Lindley McDavid are battling with junior Staci Boyce for the middle slot opposite Jenny Kabbes. Boyce could see time on the left side opposite Jones; her main competition is freshman Ashley Grubb. Sophomore Amber Rogers and freshman Laura Doornbos are competing for the right-side spot.
Better team skill performance is another priority for Dingman.
We are looking for our passing to improve and our hitting percentage to be higher, said Dingman. The passing is most important because that allows Kelly the most options to run the entire offense.
Dingman likes the way her team is blocking.
Im pleased with where we are from a blocking standpoint, said Dingman. Against the kind of teams we see, we want to block well every match.
With six nationally-ranked teams on the schedule, and four of them in the first eight matches, Dingmans squad will need to make all the strides it can as quickly as it can.
