Photo by: Parker Waters
Volleyball Position Preview: Libero
Aug 21, 2017 | Women's Volleyball
NEW ORLEANS – As the opening match of Tulane volleyball's season draws near, head coach Jim Barnes and his staff continue to work around the clock at the Hertz Center, putting the finishing touches on this season's squad. Previews of each position will follow on TulaneGreenWave.com in the coming days.
The 2017 season is the second year of the Barnes era. In 2016, Barnes' program finished 18-14, 10-10 American Athletic Conference, good for a fifth-place finish in the league and the title of most improved team in the nation after a turnaround of over 150 spots in the RPI. The team's 10 in-conference wins were more league victories than the previous two years combined.
This season, the program features a young, but talented group of eight returning letterwinners, including senior setter Justine Bowers and junior middle hitter Dayna Kern, and six freshman newcomers. At the squad's core is sophomore libero Kaylie McHugh, who'll be counted on to provide leadership to the young Green Wave team.
Libero
McHugh is expected to be a stalwart at the libero position in the Tulane rotation this season. McHugh, who was recently named to the 2017 Preseason All-American Athletic Conference Volleyball Team, finished her freshman year with a team-leading 594 digs (4.60/set), the second-highest single-season total in school history. The libero also led the AAC with 435 digs and 5.30 digs/set in conference matches. In the final match of the 2016 season, McHugh broke a single-match school record with 37 digs against USF. She also helped Tulane record 2,130 total digs on the season, a single-season record, as she finished 16 matches with at least 20 digs en route to earning second team all-conference honors.
"McHugh's leadership has become even more important," Barnes said. "She's no longer a freshman, so she'll step up as a leader and help this team."
Junior Lisa Mordell and freshman Mia Primavera will also provide depth and see regular playing time at the libero position this season. Mordell played in 19 matches (62 sets) last season, recording 123 digs, while Primavera joins the program as a freshman.
"Lisa is another one of those that is the glue to our team," Barnes said. "She'll compete for playing time at libero and as a defensive specialist. Mia will compete for the libero and defensive specialist roles, as well."
Barnes foresees competition for the role of defensive specialist, but expects Mordell to take on greater responsibilities, given her experience in Tulane's rotation.
"Lisa has a lot of experience, and she'll do different things to help our team," Barnes said. "I think she'll step up more in the role of defensive specialist to defend and lead for this team. She's a junior, so she'll have a big role on this team."
Tulane opens the 2017 season on Friday, Aug. 25 in San Antonio, Texas at the I-10 Challenge. The first match of the season begins at 10 a.m., when the Green Wave plays UTEP, followed by a 5 p.m. match against Incarnate Word. The Green Wave then plays UL-Lafayette at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Season ticket packages for the 2017 season are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging onto TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
Follow Tulane volleyball on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
The 2017 season is the second year of the Barnes era. In 2016, Barnes' program finished 18-14, 10-10 American Athletic Conference, good for a fifth-place finish in the league and the title of most improved team in the nation after a turnaround of over 150 spots in the RPI. The team's 10 in-conference wins were more league victories than the previous two years combined.
This season, the program features a young, but talented group of eight returning letterwinners, including senior setter Justine Bowers and junior middle hitter Dayna Kern, and six freshman newcomers. At the squad's core is sophomore libero Kaylie McHugh, who'll be counted on to provide leadership to the young Green Wave team.
Libero
McHugh is expected to be a stalwart at the libero position in the Tulane rotation this season. McHugh, who was recently named to the 2017 Preseason All-American Athletic Conference Volleyball Team, finished her freshman year with a team-leading 594 digs (4.60/set), the second-highest single-season total in school history. The libero also led the AAC with 435 digs and 5.30 digs/set in conference matches. In the final match of the 2016 season, McHugh broke a single-match school record with 37 digs against USF. She also helped Tulane record 2,130 total digs on the season, a single-season record, as she finished 16 matches with at least 20 digs en route to earning second team all-conference honors.
"McHugh's leadership has become even more important," Barnes said. "She's no longer a freshman, so she'll step up as a leader and help this team."
Junior Lisa Mordell and freshman Mia Primavera will also provide depth and see regular playing time at the libero position this season. Mordell played in 19 matches (62 sets) last season, recording 123 digs, while Primavera joins the program as a freshman.
"Lisa is another one of those that is the glue to our team," Barnes said. "She'll compete for playing time at libero and as a defensive specialist. Mia will compete for the libero and defensive specialist roles, as well."
Barnes foresees competition for the role of defensive specialist, but expects Mordell to take on greater responsibilities, given her experience in Tulane's rotation.
"Lisa has a lot of experience, and she'll do different things to help our team," Barnes said. "I think she'll step up more in the role of defensive specialist to defend and lead for this team. She's a junior, so she'll have a big role on this team."
Tulane opens the 2017 season on Friday, Aug. 25 in San Antonio, Texas at the I-10 Challenge. The first match of the season begins at 10 a.m., when the Green Wave plays UTEP, followed by a 5 p.m. match against Incarnate Word. The Green Wave then plays UL-Lafayette at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Season ticket packages for the 2017 season are on sale now. Tickets may be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging onto TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
Follow Tulane volleyball on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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