FSU Volleyball: 2012 Preview

When it comes to fall college sports, usually people are most excited about the return of college football. While by the end of the summer I do begin to feel football deprived, I’m most excited for a fall sport that I feel is often times overlooked: FSU volleyball. The Seminole volleyball program has been on the road to greatness since Chris Poole became head coach four years ago. Last year, the Seminoles topped off an impressive season as ACC champions with a NCAA Final Four appearance for the first time in school history.

Photo by ga-kayaker via Flickr.com

The upcoming season hopefully promises more achievements. Coach Poole is making sure the team will compete against the best of the best in order to prepare for conference matches and continued success. The 2012 volleyball schedule was recently released. This season’s opponents include nine teams from the 2011 NCAA women’s volleyball championship, among them are Elite Eight opponents Iowa State, Pepperdine, and rival Florida.

The Seminoles return ten athletes from last year’s roster, only losing four seniors. Graduated outside hitters Jekaterina Stepanova and Visnja Djurdjevic and right side hitter Rachael Morgan leave big shoes to fill in the front row. However, rising senior Fatma Yildirim and rising junior Elise Walch will surely help fill the void along with some very talented hitters that have signed to play for FSU in 2012. Among them is Walch’s younger sister, Nicole Walch. The sisters will reunite as teammates on the court this fall. Transfers Taylor Simpson and Olivera Medic committed to FSU in the late signing period last spring. Both add experience and more options as front row players for the Seminoles.

Other standout returners include setters sophomore Sarah Wickstrom and senior Duygu Duzceler, who share setting responsibilities in the 6-2 Seminole offense. Wickstrom’s inaugural season at FSU was noteworthy. Totaling 217 digs, 642 assists, and averaging 4.98 assists per set is not a bad way to start your collegiate volleyball career. Duzceler’s run with the Seminoles has been equally impressive. The veteran boasts 787 assists and averaging 6.10 assists per set in last year’s commendable season.

Libero Katie Mosher will return for her third season this fall. The defensive specialist holds the school record for digs in a single season with 604 digs. Twin sisters Caroline and Laura Dadowski join the roster this year as defensive specialists/liberos. Coach Poole noted that these back row players add depth to the libero position, vital to FSU’s defense.

FSU ultimately fell to UCLA in three sets in the NCAA national semifinal to end the 2011 season. Although the loss was disappointing, not doubt, the season was incredible and only set the foundation for the Seminoles to do great things in 2012. Expectations for FSU volleyball are high to say the least. With last year’s season recorded in the history books, I can’t wait to see what this very talented team does on the court this fall.