2010 Player Preview: Allison Gideon

JJ Jones. Bianca Aranda. Marissa Dorcheus. Wendy Walling. Terri Sherrill. Sunni Williams. Jennifer Fritsche. Whitney Schott. Paloma Bucker. Lauren Adams.

Recognize that list? It is the SFA Top 10 all-time assists leader board. With only two exceptions, I have seen all of them play.

In my mind, Jones and Dorcheus (now Marissa Avery) were the two best. I'm not sure what order I'd put them in.

By all accounts, if she plays the way people around here expect her too, redshirt freshman Allison Gideon has a good shot at appearing somewhere on that list before her playing days in purple are over. Of course, her playing days in purple have just begun. I'll say this though.. she may already be creating her own mold.

Dorcheus? Always in the right spot. Just always got to the right spot. She was quick, smart and knew where to be at all times and could get there. Jones? To me, she was just deadly accurate. I never heard one attacker say they wished JJ would do such and such.. they all bragged on her ability to actually get the ball to the optimal point of contact.

But Gideon? She hits the ball. She is a legitimate offensive weapon and anyone who watched the matches in Waco last weekend was convinced of that. You know what? It isn't just hitting. Allison was able to rack up "kills" by dinking and dumping at just the right times and hitting the open floor spots. You don't have to spike it to be an offensive weapon as a setter (although I think it's cool when setters do that), but you just need to get the defense to legitimately respect you as an attacker every time you touch the ball. I think Allison is going to be that type of setter.

Here's our interview as preparation for this weeks' matches against ULM, Wichita State and Portland.

SFAVolleyBlog.net: What was it about SFA and the possible opportunities here that made you agreeable to redshirt last year? After all, playing opportunities right-off-the-bat may have existed elsewhere, so what was it about coming here?

Allison: Coach Humphreys made it clear from the beginning of the recruitment process that redshirting was a definite possibility for me. After talking with the coaches and my parents about it, redshirting actually seemed to be a pretty good deal. I'd get the chance to be a four-year starter at a great program, and I'd get my 5th year of school paid for, which will hopefully include the start of a masters' degree. Such an incredible coaching staff and team would have made SFA a tough opportunity to pass up, and the fact that my best friend was already high jumping here made it impossible. After a lot of prayer I really felt this is where God wanted me, and after being here a year, I can honestly say that I know that without a doubt.

SFAVolleyBlog.net: What was the #1 thing that you think you learned from last season? What is the primary benefit of the redshirt in your mind?

Allison: Redshirting turned out to be highly beneficial to me as a setter. I was able to get to know each of my hitters, which sets they like and which they struggle a bit more to hit. All that means that we will be able to connect better and more consistently this season. It also gave me time to really learn how the coaches want the offense run. I now have the opportunity to fine tune and improve upon all I've learned, as opposed to having to learn everything in a few short weeks.

SFAVolleyBlog.net: As you've worked with the attackers in practice this year, have you begun to learn little "likes" and "dislikes" that each of them might have? Are you conscious of those things as you choose them to set to?

Allison: I've definitely been able to learn about which ball each of my hitters likes to hit and is most successful with. For each of the hitters, my focus is to keep the ball in the back of the hitting zone, or off the net in other words, but there are certainly things I keep in mind when setting to each particular hitter. Sabrina, for example, obviously needs a higher set, while MC likes to hit a quick ball. I'm beginning to learn the freshmen's tendancies as well. My job is to put the hitters in the best possible scenario in order for them to put the ball on the floor. Of course, that determines who I set the ball to and sometimes how I actually set to them.

SFAVolleyBlog.net: From watching practices, it appears that there are different drills than I remember in the past which are concentrating on attacks from the middle of the court as opposed to on the outsides and also more setting to the back row attacker. Am I off base, or are there a few new approaches or hitting plays being worked on than what I remember from years past?

Allison: You are correct in these observations. We've been working on forcing the middles the ball, especially in transition. The quick ball is the harder ball to defend and is often more unexpected in transition. It is also a great way to set the tempo of the match and create splits in the block, hopefully creating a one-on-one situation for each hitter. Not to mention, our middles are very good at putting the ball down. We have been working on back row attacks, just to add some variety to the offense. The back row can be a very good option, especially when I'm front row and so there is a need to create that extra hitter.

SFAVolleyBlog.net: In an earlier blog post this month, I pondered who might be the best candidate to be the primary strong side hitter in 2011. Whomever that is, you'll be the one setting to them. Do you like what you see out of the freshmen hitters that you are learning to work with? Once KO is done is year, are you confident we will have a strong presence on the outside to replace her?

Allison: Our freshmen have really stepped in and done a great job. They're working hard and are consistently bringing their best to practice, which is exactly what we need. There is no doubt in my mind that we'll have a solid outside presence even after KO leaves. They'll have big shoes to fill for sure, but they're staying aggressive and are not afraid to take some chances, and I can't wait to see what they can do this year and in the future.

SFAVolleyBlog: Finally, if you had to pick one particular set/play to make, which would be your favorite. On the flip side, which set/slot/play is the toughest for you to execute at this point?

Allison: We've actually been working on a new play set with the middles and I'm really excited about it. It is not a difficult ball to set and it is incredibly hard to defend so I think we will be very successful with it. MC and Carrie especially like it because it allows them to approach off of one foot - like a slide - which they both love, all while only staying in front of me. I love it because it is a nontraditional play and I just enjoy being tricky. I don't know that there is a particular play that I am struggling most with at this point, but the first few days, the B's were definitely my least favorite. Recently, we've been connecting much more consistently and I'm very comfortable with that slot now. Really, my biggest focus is keeping the ball in the back of the hitting zone for all my hitters, especially to the middles which is where I tend to try and force the ball back to the net.

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We've got our two "go-to" players on offense left to preview. MC and KO's interviews will be along in the next week or so.

If you are a student reading this for the first time now that school is back in session, make sure that - besides the home opener, you mark down Wednesday, September 15 at 6:00. We'll be in action in Johnson Coliseum against North Texas on that evening.

Now.. off to get ready for the first home match of the year.. I look forward to this date all summer.

Axe 'Em 'Jacks!

First Impressions

One weekend. Three matches. Obviously, that's not a lot to to go on, but here are a few first impressions.

No matter what happens, the memory of the first set of the year will live large. Wow. What a way to come out of the gate against Baylor. I was seriously pumped up after that one. I mean, here we are starting three freshmen and two sophomores going up against the #27 ranked team in the country in their gym. We get ahead 12-7 by scoring five straight points, then manage to stay ahead until it gets knotted at 19-19. Fold and give in? No. Instead, Sabrina Burns kill to take the lead. They score and take the lead 21-20. Fold and give in? No. Instead, Monica Pannone sends two shots to the floor. After a service error gives Baylor set point do we fold and give in? No. Instead, Allison Gideon decides to strike rather than set at just the right time and we are tied. You want more? Baylor gets up 26-25 and has their second set point? Give in now and be happy with stretching this set out? No. A block by Bottles and Gideon, an attack error by Baylor and then Bottles ending it with a kill and you've got one exciting way to begin a a season.

Yeah, Yeah, I know the other sets didn't go as well as that one, but still - there was some spark shown there out of the gate that holds promise.

Overall, the positives that I saw were that Bottles is awesome as usual and after an off night on Friday, KO played well against Butler and SMU. It actually looked like MC was jumping higher on her attacks than I remember in years past. Maybe it was just my angle, but it looked to me as though she added an inch or two to her contact point.

Other quick positive observations: Pannone was thundering them down on Friday. Not quite as sharp on Saturday, but if MC and KO are leading the offense then players like Burns, Pannone and Jackson can be more complementary, rather than having to lead on offense. That formula was more in play on Saturday - even against SMU despite the three set loss.

Hanlan and Miksch had some ridiculous ups on Saturday. Mel had one in particular where she was basically going backward and just popped one up back over her head that looked like her arm was in this weird contorted angle. Freaked me out.

Gideon has great floor vision. I can remember two distinct rallies in which I saw that Butler was leaving the left front corner wide open with a girl cheating really far over to cover a block on the right front. Both times (and obviously many others that I didn't see), Gideon picked up on it and while jump setting just flicked the ball over her right shoulder barely over the net into the open left front for a point. Many other times she was able to attack on 2nd touch which is something we haven't seen consistently in a very long time at SFA.

Despite not having an obvious answer right now on the right side, there are enough people being auditioned over there (Jackson and Hill a little bit) that I think we are going to be OK until Ari returns.

On the flip side, I thought our block was slow to set up at times giving opponents too many open shots or just one-on-ones. Passing was hit or miss. It probably needs to get better in order to be more consistent on offense. Despite Gideon's attempts to set deep in the attacking zone, at times I thought sets were too far off the net and of course, that in part, can be attributed to weak passing putting the setter in more difficult situations than are necessary. The other part of it may just simply be that despite practices, this is the first Fall season that Gideon has set to our primary attackers and of course, the first time ever she has set to the freshmen.

Debbie seemed like she was cool with what she saw. Overall, I mean. Sure, there were things she commented on that are not going to be printed here, but I think overall, there was enough positive play that she can capitalize on during the next week as we prepare for ULM and our next tournament.

To be perfectly honest, Baylor and SMU are really good teams. The total talent on both those teams probably eclipses us by a decent margin. I should add here that SMU looked really, really good against Baylor. Their block was really effective against a strong set of Baylor attackers. I thought SMU played noticeably worse against us, so in a way, it was disappointing not to finish off a set or two against them in the last match.

Tuesday night is the home opener and if we play even moderately well it should be a quick win. Louisiana-Monroe was 3-30 last year, and so we picked a good home opening opponent. I mean, we are 32-0 all time against ULM, OK? Not taking them for granted, but 2-2 is probably where a lot of folks thought we'd be after our first four matches. I'd like to see the freshmen contribute tomorrow night in their first match at Johnson Coliseum.

Your assignment is to get back here during Tuesday afternoon and read the interview with Setter Allison Gideon and then put on purple and get over to the Coliseum. I'll be piping out the lineups at one minute to 7:00. See you there!

2010 Player Preview: Arielle Daron

It's time. The season is finally upon us. As I sit and type this, the team bus is en route to Waco in order to get settled in before playing host Baylor in our first game of the season tomorrow night. I really hope many of you reading this can find a way - any way - to support the Ladyjacks. Being in the Ferrell Center with purple on is the best way, but remember that we have Gametracker and the live chat with Ben and I available for you here. I've recently learned that the software that we use for the in-game live chats is smartphone compatible meaning that you can join the chat even if you are in the Ferrell Center watching the match. Ask questions, make comments and interact with other SFA Volleyball fans that are both near and far from the action. Ben and I will be your eyes and ears if you can't be there in person.

Unfortunately, one of the 'Jacks who will be recuperating an injury and not available for battle this weekend is Senior right-side hitter Ari Daron. All are hopeful that Ari's wrist heals mega-fast and she gets back into the lineup in about a month - possibly sooner.

My timing was bad in that I sent Ari the questions below right before she was scheduled to go in for her surgery. I should have moved this interview up to be more accommodating. For that, I apologize, but Ari was very gracious to get back to me soon after the surgery was over, which of course, I didn't expect.

I remember watching Daron as a sophomore- she got in a few dozen sets at middle blocker - but Ashley Bailey and the emergence of freshman MC Bottles overshadowed her contributions. Last year, I began to go to early fall workouts in order to report on things here at the blog and I was blown away. The advances that Ari had made between the end of her 2nd year and the start of her 3rd Fall were astronomical. She was easily one of the most improved players we had going into last year. Of course, all of you know the rest of the story to this point. She went out in 2009 and backed up what we all saw in practice to the tune of 307 kills. Only Bottles and Owens saw more sets come their way than Daron in 2009. Her .229 attack percentage was third on the team and best among those playing primarily on the outside.

Daron is one of the most versatile front row players we have, so I really hope she is able to get back on the court soon. Maybe the time off will keep her extra fresh for the end of the season when things get to be a grind. We'll need her more in November than right now. Something tells me she'll make her presence known.

Have fun reading the interview...and I hope to see as many of you reading this as possible in Waco or at the very least in Johnson Coliseum next Tuesday night for our home opener against Louisiana-Monroe.

SFAVolleyBlog.net: In addition to volleyball, you were excellent at both basketball & track in high school. You had multiple team MVP and all-district honors as a prep athlete. Was it tough to decide to concentrate solely on volleyball when you were first coming out of high school or did you know for sure you wanted to play volleyball in college?

Ari: Yes it was very hard to decide between volleyball and basketball because I loved them both equally. Every since I was little, my family would encourage me to play basketball in college then continue on to the pros so that they could get free tickets! But, after my senior year I knew I had to chose and I chose volleyball mainly because of SFA. I had my mind made up that if I played collegiate volleyball it would have to be here. For one reason, because I have a family history here. My grandma used to be the head chef and my grandpa was the head custodian and they both retired from SFA. But also visiting the team and seeing the love and chemistry along with the Village dorms played a big role in me coming here too!

SFAVolleyBlog.net: This time last year, when I was watching practices, it was clear that you had really improved a great deal between the end of your sophomore and the beginning of your junior year. Going into this season, what areas are you looking to make the greatest strides in?

Ari: I think there's always room for improvement in all aspects of my game but blocking would remain at the top of my list. It's gotten better but still not where I feel its capable of being. I'd really like to see us all step up a great deal against Central Arkansas this year. We're capable of beating any and every team that we play. I just can't sit well with the thought that they are an undefeatable team. That should be us.

SFAVolleyBlog.net: Last year, you had some of your very best games against some of the conference’s toughest opponents. You had a career high 19 kills vs. UCA at home and hit .522 with a team-high 14 kills against Texas State. Are you someone who looks forward to being at the center of things in big matches? Are you someone who wants to get set the ball at crunch time or get a block at just the key point in a big match?

Ari: Yes, I always want to get the ball and I always want my teammates to have the confidence in me that I can and will get the job done when we need it.

SFAVolleyBlog.net: As a senior, you are now in a position to have a big impact on the underclassmen that are coming in after you. Which former players were the biggest help to you while they were upperclassmen and you were just getting started?

Ari: I would have to say Ashley Bailey had the biggest impact on me, on and off the court. She was my friend, my teammate and my "mother away from home"...and at other times was more like a big sister. There are times I sit and think "I don't know what I would have done without her". I still call her on a regular basis to talk or for her to keep me sane. But any issue I had or anytime I needed advice about volleyball, or class, she was the first person I'd call because I knew she'd tell me exactly what I needed to hear whether I wanted to hear it or not.

SFAVolleyBlog.net: Finally, in Lo’s interview, she claimed you have the title of “prankster” on the team. The readers were told of an incident at McNeese where you help barricade a door so coaches couldn’t get in. Do you admit to the title of "prankster"? Are there any other famous pranks that you can recall that are able to be printed? Do you have any “partners in crime” on these pranks or do you work alone?

Ari: Yes, I have to admit to it!. But I rarely act alone. Usually if it wasn't me alone, then [former Ladyjack]Emily Franklin had a part in it. There was a night when me, Emily, and [former Ladyjack] Amber Doolittle were at the Village playing Guitar Hero: We would invite teammates over one by one to "see Emily's Halloween costume" and when they went to open the closet door we had someone hiding inside with a water gun and a camera at the top of the closet recording the entire thing. We scared everyone on the team but I think scaring Maddie was probably the funniest.

[Ed. Note: I playfully ask for the video that goes along with this prank, but something tells me... I ain't never gonna get it.]

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Remember: Baylor Tournament this weekend and home opener against ULM on Tuesday night at the Coliseum. In case you want to read back over the previous player profiles, here are the links. We have three to go & they will appear in this order: Allison Gideon, MC Bottles and then Kelsey Owens will wrap this series up before going to an all-freshmen Q&A.

Finally. The Season. Let's rock and roll.

Carrie Hahn
Laurel Kuepker
Melissa Miksch
Maddie Hanlan
Sabrina Burns