Aug. 21, 2007

The Gamecock volleyball team is just three days 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 defensive specialists and liberos. Also, check out previously posted outlooks on South Carolina’s MIDDLE BLOCKERS, OUTSIDE HITTERS and SETTERS.

DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS & LIBEROS

Despite the loss of a solid utility player in 2006 senior Alexcis Thomson, the Gamecocks have a pair of talented defensive specialists with junior Dinelia Concepcion and sophomore Sarah Cline. Which of the two holds down the responsibilities of libero is still uncertain, but regardless of the outcome both players will see time on the court together because of their excellent passing and digging skills.

Dinelia Concepcion is entering her junior year and is expected to be South Carolina’s top defensive threat in the back row.

Concepcion appeared in all 32 matches last year and missed out on just one of Carolina’s 123 games. She averaged 2.36 digs per game and started at libero in 10 contests and played in the position 11 times overall. Concepcion hit double figures in digs a dozen times and notched a career-high 28 against Alabama, the most by a Gamecock since 2002. In addition to her defense and passing, Concepcion was the Gamecocks’ most accurate server with a 97.8 percent success rate. Additionally, she returned 93.8 percent of the serves that fell her way, and she made only one ball-handling error the entire season.

“Dinelia played libero at the end of last season and played it well,” Somera said. “Having played two seasons, she’s comfortable taking on the pressure. Players will outwardly show a little more confidence when they get older because they’re no longer the little kids in the program. Dinelia has things figured out, and she knows where she’s going and what she wants to accomplish in the gym. There is a focus and directness about her play that is allowing her to play to her potential.”

Cline saw the most playing time of any Gamecock freshmen in 2006 by appearing in all 32 matches. She made 11 starts and was the starting libero for another four tilts. Cline was fourth on the team in total digs with 214 and averaged 1.86 digs per game, a figure that increased to 2.16 in SEC matches. She reached double figures in digs during eight matches and finished second to Concepcion in serving accuracy with a 95.2 percent clip. The Rock Hill, S.C., native had equal success returning serves with a 94 percent figure.

“Sarah didn’t fumble through her freshman year too much,” Somera said. “I could see her being a captain because she has the ability to speak up.

“I would love to have both Sarah and Dinelia on the court at the same time; it didn’t happen too much last year. No matter who wins the libero position, there’s a good chance they will still see each other on the court for three rotations.”