Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Home Sweet Home
8/28/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 28, 2002
Florida Atlantic University will open the season with a different look, 'home matches'. After starting the last seven seasons under Jody Brown on the road, the volleyball team is looking forward to beginning their season in familiar surroundings. But it won't be an easy feat, as the team will host Minnesota, who is receiving votes in both the AVCA and Volleyball Magazine Preseason Polls in the FAU Radisson Classic on August 30-31.
"We do have a lot of home matches this season and I am hoping that it will be a positive for us," says head coach Jody Brown. Eight of the 17 home matches will occur during the two tournaments that FAU will host. It marks the first regular-season tournaments that FAU has hosted during the Brown era. "We tried to get as many strong teams in as we could."
The philosophy has helped the team in the past as the schedule has been laden with strong non-conference opponents in preparation for Atlantic Sun play. This year the team will match up against six teams that participated in the 2001 NCAA Championship.
In the preseason A-Sun poll, the Owls were picked third in the 12 team conference. UCF picked up first place after winning the conference last season in a five-game match over FAU in Boca Raton. Georgia State picked up second place with two first place votes. The top three teams are the only squads to win the conference since 1990.
With a challenging schedule, FAU will need to rely heavily on three returning starters and two transfers to guide the team to their third A-Sun Championship.
OUTSIDES
Even though the team lost both outsides hitters to graduation, the outside position is still expected to be strong. Two transfers will help bring experience, but time will only help the juniors adjust to a new offense. Giovana Milaneze, a transfer from Palm Beach Community College is an all-around player with Brazilian experience. "Giovana does a nice job passing. She is a typical Brazilian player with lots of shots," said Brown.
The other transfer, Abby Miner brings Atlantic Sun experience from Samford. Brown believes that the 6'0" hitter "brings lots of heat to the ball and possesses solid attacking." After sitting out her sophomore season due to shoulder surgery Miner hopes to build on her development over her two seasons at Samford. During her freshman year she was named to the Atlantic Sun All-Newcomer Team.
Ashley Waggoner, who red-shirted last year due to an injury, continues to play through discomfort. She and sophomore Lindsey Bell are expected to come off of the bench to fill in when needed. Bell is a good defensive player who is becoming a well-rounded attacker.
RIGHT SIDE
With good hands and defensive play, Danyielle Smith is an easy choice to play on the right side. The senior actually handled some of the setting duties her sophomore season when the team was riddled with injuries. Smith brings excellent passing and is expected to be the primary passer in her final season with the Owls. Serving is also a specialty, as she collected 28 aces in 85 games.
MIDDLE HITTERS
Jessica Kahn has solidified one starting middle position as a senior, while Iana Andonova will step into a starting role as a freshman. Andonova, who heralds from Margate, FL, has only one year of volleyball experience under her belt. She is very athletic and will make huge steps while gaining valuable playing experience. Kahn led the team in 2001 with a .263 hitting percentage, 22 solo blocks and 1.07 blocks per game.
SETTER
Jeana Boyle returns for her second season at FAU and will carry the load as the 'quarterback' of the team. The junior posted 1039 assists during the season. Her 2001 stats list her fifth in career assists at FAU. The team will run a 5-1 offense behind Boyle. "Jeana is a very strong setter. She trained hard this summer and has done a great job running the offense," commented Brown. Backing up Boyle will be freshman Krista Klawitter from Ontario, Canada. Klawitter brings a lot of experience through club volleyball where she had a chance to play internationally.
LIBERO
The libero position is new in 2002 and will be an adjustment for the team. Three defensive specialists will vie for time in the back row. Becky Stewart who collected 66 digs last season has the most experience at the collegiate level. Freshmen Makra Condill and Lauren McHugh are both athletic and will adjust to the faster pace of the NCAA Division I level.
As Jody Brown narrows in on his 100th career win (98-93), FAU will begin a journey on their home floor, an unaccustomed environment for the start of the 2002 season. Home floor advantage will be needed as FAU heads into its eighth season under Brown. FAU set their goal on the NCAA Tournament and will try to return for the third time in five years.
