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Women's Volleyball
vs. George Washington
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Table Set for TAAC Volleyball Championship
11/16/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 16, 2000
BOCA RATON, FL -
The Boca Raton News
Written by Marcus Nelson
Sports Editor
The FAU women's volleyball team, the defending conference champion, isn't worried that it is 9- 19, seeded fourth in this weekend's Trans America Athletic Conference volleyball tournament and will play without a starter and another starter out of her regular position.
The reason the Owls aren't panicking is that they've been dealing with these kinds of situations since the season began.
"We're in a position where we've had to move everything around four times due to injuries,"said head coach Jody Brown. "We haven't had the chance to get comfortable with a set lineup. This team has had to deal with adversity all season. That's what makes us dangerous."
Most recently, middle blocker Gracie Heim suffered a concussion when she was hit in the head with a ball-in pregame warmups.
"This is the most amount of injuries I've had in coaching," Brown said.
Injuries to setters Jyoti Mau and Danyielle Smith have thrust Stacey Carlson, a senior defensive specialist, into that role.
"Stacey is setting for us, and she hasn't done that in four years," Brown said. "It's like grabbing a linebacker and saying that you're now our quarterback."
But Carlson's play at setter is one of the few pleasant surprises FAU has experienced this year.
"I like it because I can lead." Carlson said. "I've had to work on my blocking for that role, but it's been fun."
Carlson is averaging nearly six sets per game and has been praised for her willingness to adjust for the good of the team.
"Setting is the equivalent of being put out in a Wal-Mart parking lot and directing traffic, Brown said. "You have a lot going on, and you have to be ready for it. She's very vocal and has the kind of personality that makes her look an opponent right in the face and say 'If your going to beat me, you are going to have to beat me.' That's good and if you are going to have some fire, setter is the place to have it."
Due to the Owls' disappointing record (FAU was 17-13 last season), Carlson said this season hasn't been easy, but she knows the team can erase the frustrations with a good showing in the TAAC tournament, which begins Friday at FAU Gym. The Owls take on No. 5 seed Campbell at 10 a.m.
"We entered last year's tournament seeded third and weren't expected to do anything, and we won the conference,"Carlson said. "This year we're seeded fourth, and it puts us in the same position. We're hoping it has the same result. It's been frustrating on the court due to the record and performance, but it's also probably been one of the most exciting. I'll carry the most memories of this year because of all the friendships from this team."
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