08 VB Preview: Libero/Defensive Specialists
Monday, July 28, 2008 | Volleyball
Editor's Note: This is the first of a five-part position-by-position preview of the 2008 Florida volleyball team that will be posted on GatorZone.com daily during the week of July 28. Florida begins its 2008 season on Aug. 29, when it plays host to UAB at 7 p.m.
When 11-time Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year Mary Wise looks over her 2008 roster, she notices that, for the first time in a number of years, there are a lot of new names that will be counted on to produce for Florida in the upcoming season.
And while the faces on the team may look different to Gator fans in the stands, the expectations Wise has for her team and her players are no different. The 2008 edition of the Florida volleyball team will be expected to follow the tradition of past years that has resulted in 17 consecutive Southeastern Conference Championships, 17 consecutive berths in the NCAA Tournament and seven Final Four appearances.
“We expect this team, like Florida teams of the past, to compete, to practice hard and to train hard,” Wise said. “We believe this will be a team that will continue to improve with experience and be one that no other team will want to play at the end of the season.”
| LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST | |
| 7 Elyse Cusack L 5-9 | Jr. Melrose, Fla. |
| 3 Christina Diaz DS 5-6 | Sr. Hollywood, Fla. |
| 27 Erin Fleming DS 5-10 | So. Orlando, Fla. |
| 19 Elissa Hausmann DS 5-6 | Fr. Tampa, Fla. |
The school's first-ever All-American at the libero position, Elyse Cusack returns as the squad's leader on the back row. Entering her junior season, Cusack has gained much needed strength during the offseason that will improve upon her stellar sophomore campaign.
Cusack, a 2007 All-America selection by both the AVCA and Volleyball Magazine, became the first player in SEC history to win Defensive Player of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks. She became the fastest player in league history to reach the 1,000-dig mark and just the second SEC player ever to accomplish that feat as a sophomore. She set 11 school records during her sophomore campaign and was the only UF player to see action in each of the team's 109 games.
Cusack set 11 school records during the 2007 season and currently sits in 10th place on UF's career digs list with 1,122 career scoops. She capped the year with 587 digs for an average of 5.39 digs per game. Both of those marks rank second on the Gators' single-season charts.
“One of the best things we have going is the fact that Elyse Cusack has two more years of eligibility,” Wise said. “As good of a sophomore year as she had, she is poised to take her game to an even higher level with the strength she has gained since January. With all the different players surrounding her, we know we'll have Elyse's stability to count on.”
Senior Christina Diaz will be one of the team's top leaders in 2008 and her dedication in the weight room will pay dividends during her final campaign. Diaz has played in 229 games and 92 matches in her Gator career and is a three-time selection to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
“Christina, now in her fourth year, has emerged as one of the team's best leaders – especially in the weight room,” Wise said. “She has become an invaluable member of our program.”
Sophomore Erin Fleming and freshman Elissa Hausmann both will look to factor into the mix as defensive specialists this season. Fleming gained valuable experience a year ago, substituting into the back row for All-America right-side hitter Amber McCray.
Fleming averaged 2.08 digs per game last season, which was the second-best mark in school history for a freshman defensive specialist and ninth-best in program history among all freshmen. She recorded 206 digs on the year, which was the third most by any freshman DS in school history. Fleming eclipsed the double-digit dig plateau on four occasions in 2007, including a career-high 14 at Arkansas on Oct. 12.
Hausmann earned second-team All-Hillsborough County honors as a libero in 2007, ranking sixth in the state and 69th in the nation in digs as a senior, according to MaxPreps.com.
“Erin played a huge role for us coming in for Amber McCray in the back row last year,” Wise said. “Our three Floridian defensive specialists – Christina Diaz, Erin Fleming and Elissa Hausmann – will be asked to help us coming off the bench.”
| DID YOU KNOW? |
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GETTING TO KNOW FLORIDA'S BACK-ROW PLAYERS
Hobbies Away from Volleyball
· Elyse Cusack – Beach volleyball, going to the movies, going to the beach and sleeping.
· Christina Diaz – Playing basketball, swimming, working out and performing community service.
· Erin Fleming – Watching movies and hanging out with friends and family.
· Elissa Hausmann – Skim boarding, playing alto saxophone and going to the beach.
Gator Nation Tie-In
· Elyse Cusack – Born and raised a Gator and has always dreamed of playing for UF.
· Christina Diaz – Chose Florida for the family atmosphere and combination of academics and athletics.
· Erin Fleming – Chose Florida for its educational opportunities and because of the coaching staff.
· Elissa Hausmann – Thirteen members of her family have attended or are currently attending UF, including two grandparents and both parents.
Major or Career Aspiration
· Elyse Cusack – Recreation and event management.
· Christina Diaz – Majoring in applied physiology and kinesiology. Aspires to become a strength and conditioning coach, volleyball coach or high school teacher.
· Erin Fleming – Aspires to become a television news anchor.
· Elissa Hausmann – Aspires to work as a physical therapist.
