Volleyball 2017 Season Preview

Aug 23 | Women's Volleyball

Creating a winning culture starts with work ethic, discipline and chemistry

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Aug. 23, 2017) – It's not an underdog story.

At the onset of the 2017 season, Rutgers volleyball is undergoing a culture change. It's a multifaceted approach in year four of the Big Ten Conference, a league that has proved a big challenge for the Scarlet Knights.

It's about a change in mentality.

"We know we may be the underdogs in every situation, but that doesn't stop each one of us from getting ready and focused to take on the best teams in the nation," said sophomore captain Karysa Swackenberg. "We go out there to compete and to win, rather than trying not to lose."

It's about a change in focus.

"It starts with discipline," said 10^th-year head coach CJ Werneke. "Our level of focus is going to be high, with an emphasis on commitment to our system and limiting unforced errors on offense. We gave away too many points in the past. To change that and turn it into positive momentum requires discipline."

The Scarlet Knights practiced what Werneke preached for two weeks at the historic College Ave. Gym, which will play host to eight American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 teams this season, according to the preseason polls. The 2017 schedule is a gauntlet of talented opposition, cross-country travel and perpetual self-growth. Rutgers volleyball could not be more ready.

"You feel a change in this team," said senior captain Talia Holze. "It's exciting to feel that we started something three years ago, and now with one more to go, we can be a part of something special. It's time to be competitive in the Big Ten and get some wins under our belt."

THE CORE
Holze and sophomore Megan Sharkey handled the setting duties last fall, and will continue to do so in 2017. Holze, a two-year captain, passed out 382 assists last season, while Sharkey led the team in the category as a rookie with 522.

On the receiving ends of those sets, Werneke welcomes back four letterwinners from the frontcourt, including second kill leader Meme Fletcher. With 214 last season, Fletcher enters her final year in Scarlet & White with 740 career kills. Earning a reputation as a workhorse, Fletcher rarely exits the court, and ranked second last season with 183 digs.

Redshirt senior Brooke Enners, and sophomores Jillian Duffin and Galia Nankin all return to the frontcourt with a year of Rutgers experience.

Swackenberg paced the squad in digs as a freshman with 309, and reprises her role as the primary libero with the added responsibility of serving as team captain. She also poses as the most dangerous serving threat with a team-high 27 aces one year ago. Junior defensive specialist Phallynn Hill returns to the backline following a 149-dig sophomore season.

Defensively, the experience comes from sophomore middle blocker Jasmine Stackhouse, whose 1.15 blocks per set (100 total blocks) led the Scarlet Knights in 2016.

THE NEW KNIGHTS
Five freshmen and two transfers make up the newest class of recruits to arrive "On the Banks."

Junior outside hitter Sahbria McLetchie and sophomore middle blocker Stasa Miljevic bring with them collegiate volleyball experience from Virginia Commonwealth and Florida State, respectively. Both have impressed early in preseason and have made a quick impact on the ever-changing culture of the team.

The five rookies hail from four different countries and include a decorated setter from Puerto Rico in Adriana Alejandro, a Tennessee State Volleyball Tournament MVP in opposite hitter Kamila Cieslik, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter from California in Claire Jackson, an international champion from Russia in outside hitter Yana Kamshilina, and a Serbian National Champion in opposite hitter Beka Kojadinovic.

"The transfers came in here with a new perspective and made a positive impact right away," Werneke said. "They are workhorses that want to put in the time and lead by example. They are buying into our system. The freshmen provide healthy competition at every position, and we haven't had that here in the past. Everyone is getting pushed."

THE PLAN
What started as a simple premise, morphed into a mantra: focus on the fundamentals. Werneke has lined up 12 non-conference contests during tournament season to hone the three aspects of the sport that every elite volleyball team does exceptionally.

"Serving, passing and defense," Werneke lists. "We can win a match, but if it's undisciplined in those areas, we're going to have a lot to work on before Big Ten play. The tournaments are there for us to perfect those areas, then the wins will come."

The lines in that blueprint have already been drawn. According to RU's headman, the team's collective work ethic, combined with a tight chemistry and willingness to learn allows the focus to remain on the aforementioned fundamentals.

THE FANS
Fans can follow along all season long on ScarletKnights.com, the main hub for previews, recaps, videos and statistics. Live stats and streaming video will be available for all home games at the College Ave. Gym. The volleyball schedule page will be up to date with live coverage links from road contests, including the two Big Ten Network matches at Maryland (Oct. 6) and Indiana (Oct. 20).

Follow Rutgers Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram (@RUvball) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersVolleyball). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter(@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), Snapchat (@RUAthletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics).

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