MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Steve Hendricks sat in his office in the tiny quarters nestled behind Barry University’s shiny refurbished Health & Sports Center gym floor, envisioning the possibilities.
It was the start of academia season. It was also the start of the volleyball season – the fourth to be specific for Hendricks and the Buccaneers.
“Our volleyball IQ and experience level is much higher than it’s been in the past,” Hendricks said.
The past is in the past – a yesteryear memory dissipating. It was a season where Barry finished 11-17 overall, 4-12 in the Sunshine State Conference. Now what lies ahead is a season of hope – one where a new look and new outlook hint that by November the Buccaneers can have accomplished something to feel good about.
“(Assistant coach) Katie (McCrath) and I are most excited about the maturity and experience we have on the roster,” Hendricks said. “We’ve worked really hard at recruiting better players and athletes, and I think that’s starting to show. In the past where we’ve had to compete against teams in the conference that have juniors and seniors, we will now have juniors and seniors that can fire back and play at that level.”
EXPERIENCE ON THE OUTSIDE
Of the 16 players on the roster, 12 have suited up in a collegiate match. Two are seniors – one who’s never played college volleyball, but has a decorated resume on the international stage. Of the six newcomers, two are accomplished junior college players, another was an All-American in another sport and one spent a year examining Division II competition from the sidelines while redshirting at another school.
Senior outside hitter Jayla Trombley is the lone holdover completing her final year of eligibility. Held back for a year-and-a-half before she was finally given clearance to swing away midway through last season, the New Mexico transfer had 162 kills, 194 digs, 25 blocks and 14 service aces in 2013.
“Jayla is a competitor,” Hendricks said of a player he also coached in the Land of Enchantment. “It will be hard to keep her off the court. She’s probably our most fiery player right now.”
Junior hitter Tashalyn Begon enters her third season in Buccaneer red and black. Last year, after also being limited in the early portion of the season, she became the fifth player to bang out over 100 kills, becoming one of the more primary attack options in the latter part of the season after being fully cleared. She, too, was steady in the back row, having eclipsed 100 digs.
Junior college transfer Victoria Fajardo, a Phoenix, Arizona, product was a National Junior College Athletic Association Second-Team All-Region selection at Scottsdale Community College. Another outside hitter, she led the respected Arizona Community College Athletic Conference in hitting percentage (.307), kills (292) and kills per set (3.44). Former rowing All-American Kristina Boncheva, who played for Bulgaria’s junior national and national teams, will complete her undergraduate studies with her first swing at college volleyball – a sport she devoted 10 years to before turning her attention to oars in the water. Redshirt freshman Eva Raat, who appeared in four matches a year ago before suffering a season-ending injury, also returns with something to offer on the outside.
“We’re deeper in the outside hitting position, and we’re more mature, which is a great thing,” Hendricks said. “We wanted more depth in the outside hitting position, and we did that with Victoria and Eva being healthy. Eva’s got a very fast arm. Victoria’s a very mature player on the court. She sees things for what they are. She’s very consistent. She gets her body in position to hit most sets. Even if it’s a poor set, she’ll find a way to get an attack. She hits the ball almost every time.”
MAINSTAYS IN THE MIDDLE
Juniors Laine Cielena and Katie Dooley enter their third seasons in the system – both capable middle attackers who know their way around the Bucs volleyball culture. Cielena had 219 kills and 59 blocks a season ago. She was one of two regulars who hit over .200 last year. The other was sophomore middle Ivana Didanovic, whose .290 attack percentage topped the team. Didanovic also led the Bucs in blocks with 71. Dooley matched a career-high with six blocks in a couple matches as a sophomore.
Freshman Anita Oppenauer is a capable blocker, who possesses the ability to terminate in different ways. She is one seven players who stands 6 feet or taller. Cielena, Didanovic and Oppenauer are all international products.
“They’ve got size, the speed is good and experience connecting with our setters outside of Anita, and she’s catching up quick with that,” Hendricks said. “Anita’s a great addition in the middle. She can dominate the net with blocking.
“Laine’s strengths are she’s just a very talented volleyball player. She’s good in the middle, great on the right side. She’s very intelligent. She’s a low-error hitter, a low-error player. Ivana has size and a great swing. She’s a great worker. Kate’s a good athlete. She gets up high. If she keeps the ball in front, she can hit extremely well. She’s a big block.”
SETTING THE STANDARD
Junior Jasmine Serna and sophomore Jenny Trinidad shared time quarterbacking the offense a year ago. Combined, the two setters were responsible for 941 of the 1,009 assists the Buccaneers distributed in 2013. Both could see shared time on the floor in mixing up the offense.
“They’re just commanding more of the court, which is what we need our setters to do,” Hendricks said. “Jasmine is just a very gifted athlete who can play just about any position outside of middle. Jenny came back with a lot better touch and just a great attitude. She had a great attitude last year, but she’s just going after it, and playing at a much higher level.”
DEFINING THE DEFENSE
With improved ball control and passing skills in the back row, Barry appears ready to extend rallies. Junior college transfer Brittany Jaco, who will have two years with the Bucs, was another NJCAA All-Region selection. She set a school record at State College of Florida-Manatee with 555 digs. Sophomore Kristen Reid will spell Jaco as a libero or back row specialist, as may Serna, who occupied the position on a full-time basis midway through the season last year. Sophomore Amanda Brill, Paola Buitrago and Samii Wong – the latter two newcomers – are all battling for time in the back row.
“Brittany is very, very talented in the back row,” Hendricks said. “She reads well, has a good touch, and is very quick. I think Brittany’s going to cover that position very well if Jasmine’s not in it. Kristen and Amanda are both in their second year (in the system). Kristen has some experience, and is doing a good job.
“We wanted more ball control, serving and passing. We definitely got stronger in that area.”
COMPETITIVE JUICES FLOWING
With flexibility in full flux on this team, the Buccaneers are constantly battling themselves – in a good way. Depth and determination define this year’s team. Yes, the Bucs are deeper at every position. Yes, they are determined to improve upon last year’s growing pains.
That was apparent the first day of practice.
“Nobody’s position is safe,” Hendricks said. “That was a little different last year. Everybody knows there’s a little fire under them, and they have to keep working hard to keep their starting spot. Our middles can go right side. Our outsides can go to the right side. There’s a lot of options.”
Those options begin Friday as the Buccaneers open the season at the Hyatt Place Classic at Palm Beach Atlantic in West Palm Beach against Barton for a 12:45 p.m. start.
“With a year of experience and a spring season behind us, and with the addition of Victoria, Brittany, Anita, Samii and Paola … we’re better,” Hendricks said. “We’re just talking about things aren’t personal when the intensity picks up and we yell or shout or fight for things. I think they’re pretty motivated.”