By Tim Brennan, Staff Writer, Daily Times
Hawks have a new new coach, and competition is fierce for spots on court
Hawks have a new new coach, and competition is fierce for spots on court
PRINCESS ANNE -- It's one thing to come into a season with your spot all wrapped up. Glide through preseason practice and, come opening day, step out on the court and perform. But that could breed an air of complacency, something that has no chance of infecting the University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball team.
Competition will be all over the place this season, and it won't let up.
"They understand that their jobs are not solidified in any way, week to week," new coach Don Metil said.
The biggest area of interest will be on the front line.
"We have six hitters right now," Metil said, "and, obviously, only five can play, so there's going to be an odd man out."
It's just that simple, and with not just six hitters, but six talented players, it won't just be a weak link sitting out, it will be someone who probably could be a productive part of the Hawks.
With Metil now calling the shots, every position is up in the air, leading to some battles for playing time.
"It's huge competition," returning hitter Holiday Eller said. "If I was with [last year's coach Alex] Temkin, I'd know I have a spot, no problem. Now I have no clue what I'm going to be, when I'm going to be there or what I'm going to contribute to the team, like I was last year or if I'm going to be more just a role player
"And that's kind of hard to take a backseat to a 6-3 outside hitter [in transfer Whitney Johnson]," Eller said with a laugh.
But Eller emphasized that even with the competition, and not knowing what her playing time is going to be this year, she's excited about the amount of talent that's fighting for time.
"There's six hitters, and any of us can play anywhere, even if it is in the middle," sophomore Caylin Woodward said. "I think everyone's just really competing out there. Our practices are all talking (crud) on each other, trying to get that No. 1 spot, because we're all working hard."
As of Tuesday's morning practice, Metil seesWoodward and Johnson starting on the outside, Adora Luster and Sam Chukwura in the middle, and Eller on the right side playing on the front line.
Those hitters who are returning will not only be fighting for a job but working to get to know new setter Christina Estabane'. With Yael Rozner transferring from last year's team, Estabane' comes in and takes over, and according to Metil, is more than competent.
"When she's here, she is probably very capable of taking over Yael's spot immediately," Metil said of his setter, who couldn't practice upon her arrival while waiting on a few eligibility issues. "She hits the ball very, very hard, she blocks well, she sets really well, and I think everyone, right now, is trying to get used to the offense that we're trying to run."
That role of setter needs to be in tune with her hitters, something Eller and Woodward both say is going well.
"Even from our first practice with Bella -- that's what we call Christina -- we seemed to like click," Woodward said. "She set me a slide, and that's my favorite hit. Yael barely could get it by the end of the season, and from the first practice (this year) we were already clicking."
The last two expected starters will be Leah Amundson at libero and Chanita Wesley as a defensive specialist. Amundson has missed the last two seasons due to injury, but is healthy and expected to play a key role this year.
"It's great (to have her back)," Eller said. "Not only (her ability), but her leadership, her personality. She's a great person. She gets along with everyone. Just to bring the team together in that aspect, not even talking about her skills, it's just great to have her here. And then her skills bring so much more. It's great to have her here."
So the lineup is set for the Hawks' first game, Friday night against Coppin State, but come the second match, August 31 in a tournament at Manhattan, things could look a bit different.
Competition will be all over the place this season, and it won't let up.
"They understand that their jobs are not solidified in any way, week to week," new coach Don Metil said.
The biggest area of interest will be on the front line.
"We have six hitters right now," Metil said, "and, obviously, only five can play, so there's going to be an odd man out."
It's just that simple, and with not just six hitters, but six talented players, it won't just be a weak link sitting out, it will be someone who probably could be a productive part of the Hawks.
With Metil now calling the shots, every position is up in the air, leading to some battles for playing time.
"It's huge competition," returning hitter Holiday Eller said. "If I was with [last year's coach Alex] Temkin, I'd know I have a spot, no problem. Now I have no clue what I'm going to be, when I'm going to be there or what I'm going to contribute to the team, like I was last year or if I'm going to be more just a role player
"And that's kind of hard to take a backseat to a 6-3 outside hitter [in transfer Whitney Johnson]," Eller said with a laugh.
But Eller emphasized that even with the competition, and not knowing what her playing time is going to be this year, she's excited about the amount of talent that's fighting for time.
"There's six hitters, and any of us can play anywhere, even if it is in the middle," sophomore Caylin Woodward said. "I think everyone's just really competing out there. Our practices are all talking (crud) on each other, trying to get that No. 1 spot, because we're all working hard."
As of Tuesday's morning practice, Metil seesWoodward and Johnson starting on the outside, Adora Luster and Sam Chukwura in the middle, and Eller on the right side playing on the front line.
Those hitters who are returning will not only be fighting for a job but working to get to know new setter Christina Estabane'. With Yael Rozner transferring from last year's team, Estabane' comes in and takes over, and according to Metil, is more than competent.
"When she's here, she is probably very capable of taking over Yael's spot immediately," Metil said of his setter, who couldn't practice upon her arrival while waiting on a few eligibility issues. "She hits the ball very, very hard, she blocks well, she sets really well, and I think everyone, right now, is trying to get used to the offense that we're trying to run."
That role of setter needs to be in tune with her hitters, something Eller and Woodward both say is going well.
"Even from our first practice with Bella -- that's what we call Christina -- we seemed to like click," Woodward said. "She set me a slide, and that's my favorite hit. Yael barely could get it by the end of the season, and from the first practice (this year) we were already clicking."
The last two expected starters will be Leah Amundson at libero and Chanita Wesley as a defensive specialist. Amundson has missed the last two seasons due to injury, but is healthy and expected to play a key role this year.
"It's great (to have her back)," Eller said. "Not only (her ability), but her leadership, her personality. She's a great person. She gets along with everyone. Just to bring the team together in that aspect, not even talking about her skills, it's just great to have her here. And then her skills bring so much more. It's great to have her here."
So the lineup is set for the Hawks' first game, Friday night against Coppin State, but come the second match, August 31 in a tournament at Manhattan, things could look a bit different.
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