08 VB Preview: Setters
Thursday, July 31, 2008 | Volleyball
Editor's Note: This is the fourth 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.
At the collegiate level, players come and go, competing for four years and earning their degrees. Things always go on just as they once did, but every once and a while a player comes along who seems about as close to irreplaceable as it comes. And though the position will be vacated by new and talented players who will ultimately prosper at filling that role, the impact that the graduated player made upon her respective program is undeniable.
For Florida volleyball, that person is former All-America setter Angie McGinnis. Only the fifth player in Southeastern Conference history to be named the league's Player of the Year on multiple occasions. She eclipsed UF's 15-year-old career assists record and became the only setter in school history to amass 5,000 assists.
Despite the departure of the highly-accomplished McGinnis, Florida head coach Mary Wise has a number of reasons to be excited about the setter position this season. Two talented freshman join the squad – including the nation's top recruit Kelly Murphy, to split duties at that position.
| SETTERS | |||||
| 12 | Kelly Murphy | S/RS | 6-2 | Fr. | Joliet, Ill. |
| 1 | Cindy Bathelt | S | 5-9 | Fr. | Colorado Springs, Colo. |
| 3 | Christina Diaz | DS/S | 5-6 | Sr. | Hollywood, Fla. |
The Florida setter position in 2008 will feature the youngest collection of athletes on the floor. The Gators will rely on freshmen Murphy and Cindy Bathelt to split time running the team's offense following the graduation of McGinnis.
Florida is likely to initiate a 6-2 offense into its scheme this season, allowing both Bathelt and Murphy to compete on the floor at the same time.
“We will ask two freshmen to split the setter role and think a 6-2 offense of some sort will be in our future,” Wise said. “Kelly and Cindy are very different players, but each bring unique talents to the position. Our hitters are going to enjoy playing with them.”
Murphy, 6-foot-2, is a 2008 AAU All-America selection who led her Sports Performance club team to the Junior Volleyball Director's Association national championship this past June. That title capped off a perfect 84-0 record for the squad since it was assembled when its members were 16 years of age. She was the Gatorade National High School Volleyball Player of the Year.
“Kelly is the most decorated high school player to come into our program,” Wise said. “She played for arguably the most successful club team in the history of junior volleyball. She has the skill set to score all sorts of points for us – both in the front and back row.”
Bathelt, 5-foot-9, is a three-time all-conference selection at Pine Creek High School who has been named a Rocky Mountain Region Volleyball All-Star each year since 2003. She played club volleyball for Colorado Juniors, earning Senior Ace status by PrepVolleyball.com and garnering Outstanding Setter recognition at the magazine's 2007 Classic.
Senior Christina Diaz is a defensive specialist who also has experience as a setter and can bring depth and veteran leadership to the position.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
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GETTING TO KNOW FLORIDA'S SETTERS
Athletic Families
· Kelly Murphy – Mother played volleyball at Illinois State.
· Cindy Bathelt – Mother played volleyball at Boston University and on five USVBA New England Region champion
· Christina Diaz – Brother played baseball at St. Leo University.
Gator Nation Tie-In
· Kelly Murphy – Chose Florida because of the coaching staff, great campus and the opportunity to win a national championship.
· Cindy Bathelt – Chose Florida over Air Force, Colorado, Washington State and LSU.
· Christina Diaz - Chose Florida for the family atmosphere and combination of academics and athletics.
Major or Career Aspiration
· Kelly Murphy – Aspires to play volleyball professionally.
· Cindy Bathelt – Aspires to become a physician, travel the world and start a family.
· Christina Diaz - Majoring in applied physiology and kinesiology. Aspires to become a strength and conditioning coach, volleyball coach or high school teacher.
END OF REPORT
