Aggie volleyball team looking for more offense in 2011

One of the benefits of having an entire starting lineup return is familiarity. It doesn't take long in training camp to recognize where the most work needs to be done.

Texas A&M volleyball coach Laurie Corbelli pointed to offense as the reason the Aggies suffered through a 13-17 season in 2010, and she and her staff, which includes John Corbelli and new assistant Steve Greene, went immediately to work on it when all seven starters and 13 letterwinners opened practice earlier this summer.

"We were one of the top dig teams," Corbelli said. "Our block never wavered. We blocked better in our losses than our wins, so it was all our offense. When we lost we produced half the kills we produced in our wins and our attack percentage [in losses] was half that of when we won. It was just all our offense."

A&M placed seventh in hitting percentage and eighth in kills in the Big 12 last season.

So upon returning for 2011, the Aggies began on their attack, working on quickness in an offense predicated on execution and deception over sheer power.

"We are trying to speed up our combinations," Corbelli said. "We are working a lot on vertical [deception], especially with middle blockers."

With so many players returning, the onus is on them to show improvement after placing eighth in the Big 12 at 7-13.

Corbelli is confident the players, only three of which had more than a handful of starts going into last season, have put in the work.

"I'd like to think that because the team stayed here all summer, lifted, ran, played on their own all the time, that they decided they were going to come back in the best shape they've ever been in," Corbelli said. "Watching them I would say we are far ahead of where we normally are. It's a group that is really hungry, and you can feel the urgency."

Last season A&M had trouble finding someone to complement All-Big 12 outside hitter Kelsey Black on the attack. For much of the season, Black led the Big 12 in points and kills, and she finished fourth and fifth, respectively, doubling every other Aggie in kills.

But the load proved to be too much for one player.

"She got worn down," Corbelli said. "It was really somewhat unfair to her last year, and I realized it but she was really the option that worked, one of the only options that was working consistently."

Middle blocker Stephanie Minnerly maintained a solid hitting percentage, and Lindsey Miller had some big matches in the middle in A&M's biggest victories, but finding another outside hitter and right-side hitter remains the Aggies' primary objective.

"We'd like to know we can survive without going to Kelsey for the first 10 points," Corbelli said. "We'd like to have them not wait on Kelsey. We are getting to that point where we can."

That means 6-foot-4 junior right-side hitter Alisia Kastmo will have to play a big part as will 6-2 senior Elise Hendrickson, 6-foot senior Chelsea Ringel and perhaps Tori Mellinger. Kastmo started part-time last season, while the 5-10 Mellinger started at libero for two seasons but has shown the ability to attack and block.

Corbelli has the luxury of considering Mellinger at outside hitter because the Aggies have depth at libero with senior Sarah Grace, sophomore Kelsey Kinley and Nebraska transfer Megan Pendergast vying for playing time.

"Kastmo has improved a ton, and she is what you call the X factor for us," Corbelli said. "We debated putting her on the left and training her there, but we've got plenty of left sides and what a great block she is on the right. She continues to get better at it, and we want to get the ball to our right side a lot more often."

That responsibility comes down to second-year setter Allie Sawatzky, a preseason All-Big 12 selection. Sawatzky handled the quarterback position for most of her freshman season. Her 6-2 presence is an asset on the front line in blocking as is her left-handed attacks on second touches.

Allie Freiwald, a 6-2 sophomore, and 5-11 junior Markie Malone make the setter position the Aggies' deepest.

"You are only as good as your backup setter, which sounds like a football coach about the quarterback, but when I read those quotes from coaches in other sports I can certainly relate," Corbelli said. "Right now backup setter is a competitive race. Both have their assets."

With most of the lineup returning, A&M's three newcomers are Pendergast and outside hitters Cinthya Roberto and Hannah Hood.

The 6-foot Roberto from Brazil was a junior college All-American as an outside hitter at Blinn and has transferred to A&M via Florida, where she played libero. A shoulder injury has slowed her chances to play for the moment.

Hood is an undersized outside hitter at 5-9 but through the first week of practice has earned the praise of Corbelli with her hitting efficiency.

A&M will open the season against Creighton at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Reed Arena in the A&M Invitiational. A&M will face Texas-San Antonio at 7:30 p.m. before facing Creighton again at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Creighton beat Iowa State in the second round of the NCAA tournament last season.

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NOTES -- A&M struggled in five-set matches last season, finishing 2-7. The Aggies lost their last four five-setters.

What: A&M Volleyball/A&M Invitational

Where: Reed Arena

Schedule: Creighton vs. UTSA, 9:30 a.m. Friday; A&M vs. Creighton, 2:30 p.m. Friday; A&M vs. UTSA, 7:30 p.m. Friday; A&M vs. Creighton, 12:30 p.m. Saturday.