Aug. 16, 2007
The South Carolina volleyball team is nearly one week away from opening the season at the Delaware/Asics Invitational over Aug. 24-25 in Newark, Del. To learn more about the 2007 Gamecocks, read on for a look at this year’s middle blockers. Click HERE if you would like to read the previous outlook on South Carolina’s outside hitters.
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
With the loss of Crystal Johnson and Kujundzic’s move to outside hitter, the Gamecocks do not possess the same depth at middle blocker they have at outside hitter. Somera will rely on his lone returnee and a key freshman addition to make an immediate impact for South Carolina at the position.
Redshirt junior Belita Salters made dramatic strides during her sophomore year, playing in all 32 matches and starting 29 after seeing action in just 13 contests as a freshman. Salters, who is noted for her ability to energize the team, led Carolina in blocks per game with a 0.91 average and also posted 1.77 kills per game while hitting at a 23 percent clip. The most gifted athlete on the team, Salters will have to maintain her intimidation of opponents at the net and continue developing her offense in 2007.
“Belita is the top dog for the middle,” Somera said. “She started most of last year, and she’s returning with a lot of confidence based on how she played and from the winter and spring. There are not that many athletes who can physically match up with her. She’s one of the quickest players in the conference.
“We’re trying to expedite our volleyball knowledge to her as much as possible, as quickly as possible. She can now hit a variety of sets, but her bread and butter will still be the slide. Belita can adjust to the quality of passes much better, and her trust in her own skill level will be much different this year.”
Megan Laughlin, who stands 6 feet 1 inch tall, comes in as one of South Carolina’s most highly touted recruits this year. Laughlin was a unanimous first-team All-Conference selection her final three years of high school and made the All-Area First Team as well. She earned the Pantagraph’s Player of the Year award in 2006 and following her senior year was chosen as the newspaper’s Female Athlete of the Year. Laughlin earned numerous honors as a basketball player and was an accomplished track and field athlete for Flanagan High School in Cornell, Ill. She qualified for the state meet in the triple jump each year of high school and contributed the most individual points for her school at the 2004 and 2005 meets.
“Megan comes in with a lot of skills,” Somera said. “She handles the ball well for a middle blocker and has a lot of athleticism. Defense at the net in college volleyball will be the biggest eye-opener for her.
“People get to play a lot more out-of-system volleyball at the club level, and the teams are in system more in college so the reads have to be a lot better. Megan should have the IQ to pick it up, and if she becomes more physical she should be a very good player.”
The other true freshman listed at middle blocker is Jordan Kennedy, the twin sister of Erin Kennedy. Jordan’s senior year at West Ashley was cut short by a torn ACL, and she is hoping to be completely rehabilitated by the time the season begins. Like her sister, Jordan made the All-State Teams and garnered All-Region Team accolades as well.
Letterwinner Christine Hauer returns for her sophomore year, as does Channing Cantrell after redshirting her freshman year. Both players will add depth as middle blockers.
