Post by Surfin D Beach on Dec 31, 2002 21:27:08 GMT -5
2003 Men's Volleyball Season Preview
The Long Beach State men's volleyball program has enjoyed over a decade of rich history and tradition, having won a national championship in 1991, and as a two-time NCAA finalist in 1990 and '99. As a member of the '91 squad that won it all, third year head coach Alan Knipe knows what it takes to build a winning program. His blueprint for success this season, centers on talented youth and veteran leadership.
The 2003 roster features nine new faces. And with several new players, comes several new challenges. However, Knipe still passes down to his team simple fundamentals to be successful: serve and pass well, block and solid floor defense, and continue to grow and improve collectively as the season matures.
This season, Knipe and his coaching staff will shape and develop a team that features eight freshman, seven of which were named to Volleyball Magazine's "Fab 50" list. The list is compiled based on the impact they are expected to make in college volleyball. This years freshman class will make a significant impact on our teams success. They are a talented and highly competitive group and that can only result in good things for our program.
Of the eight freshman on the roster, Knipe expects Duncan Budinger, Tyler Hildebrand, and Beau Peters to see the most playing time. Budinger, who hails from La Costa Canyon HS (Encinitas, CA), helped his team earn back-to-back CIF championships and was selected to the 2002 US Junior National team that will train in Colorado Springs. Hildebrand, who comes to The Beach from Red Mountain HS (Mesa, AZ), won the Volleyball Co-Player of the Year award in Arizona his senior year. Finally, Peters, who joins LBSU after graduating from Marina HS (Huntington Beach, CA), led his team to four consecutive Sunset League titles.
"Duncan Budinger will help our squad in the middle," said Knipe. "His physical presence at the net will help us sideout and score points. Beau Peters is a very gifted setter, he runs the court well brings a lot of intensity to the court. His jump serve and all around volleyball skill gives our team a big upgrade. Tyler Hildebrand is a very gifted athlete and an even better competitor. Beau and Tyler are two of the most talented athletes we have ever had at the setters position."
To help balance the youth with consistency and leadership, Knipe has five returning starters, including co-captains, Jeff Wootton and David Lee. "(Jeff and David) are bigger, stronger, and more confident," said Knipe. " We expect great things from them this year."
Wootton, last season, led the team with 3.26 kills per game and posted double-figures in kills 22 times. Lee had a tremendous sophomore season, averaging 2.64 kills per game. His .353 hitting percentage, 94 block assists, and 18 block solos placed him in the top-5 in the sophomore season record book.
Rounding out the returning starters is Matt Meine and Scott Touzinsky, both of whom will be called upon to bring extra firepower to the outside hitter position. "Scott has made huge strides in his overall strength since last year," commented Knipe. "He has had a great fall, he has developed into one of the best blockers we've had. Combined with his serving, Scott will generate a lot of points for us."
"Matt Meine is one of the most competitive players in our gym," said Knipe. "His ability to train at a real high level is contagious to his teammates. He will help us at Opposite and Outside Hitter." Meine appeared in 101 games as a freshman, averaging 2.18 kills per game. His 17 service aces placed him No. 5 all-time for a freshman.
Touzinsky matched his freshman ace total once again his sophomore season with 43. His 43 aces were both sophomore single season and team single season records. Touzinsky also averaged 3.02 kills per game, second best on the team.
Yassir Sliti, will play Opposite and Middle. Knipe feels that Sliti has shown a lot of improvement this fall. One of the players definitely to watch this season will be Phillips White. "Phillip is the epitome of Long Beach State Volleyball," said Knipe. "He plays with his heart on his sleeve and he brings it to the court everyday."
Rounding out the rest of the returning players are Paul Munoz, Robert Kijewski, and Dan Samuelson. Munoz, who played on the USA Junior Nation Team last summer, will bring "the experience of playing internationally to our team this season," commented Knipe.
"Robert is a player that wears many hats," said Knipe. "He as played every position for us at one time or another. He is a very valuable piece of the puzzle."
cont...
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GO BEACH!!!
The Long Beach State men's volleyball program has enjoyed over a decade of rich history and tradition, having won a national championship in 1991, and as a two-time NCAA finalist in 1990 and '99. As a member of the '91 squad that won it all, third year head coach Alan Knipe knows what it takes to build a winning program. His blueprint for success this season, centers on talented youth and veteran leadership.
The 2003 roster features nine new faces. And with several new players, comes several new challenges. However, Knipe still passes down to his team simple fundamentals to be successful: serve and pass well, block and solid floor defense, and continue to grow and improve collectively as the season matures.
This season, Knipe and his coaching staff will shape and develop a team that features eight freshman, seven of which were named to Volleyball Magazine's "Fab 50" list. The list is compiled based on the impact they are expected to make in college volleyball. This years freshman class will make a significant impact on our teams success. They are a talented and highly competitive group and that can only result in good things for our program.
Of the eight freshman on the roster, Knipe expects Duncan Budinger, Tyler Hildebrand, and Beau Peters to see the most playing time. Budinger, who hails from La Costa Canyon HS (Encinitas, CA), helped his team earn back-to-back CIF championships and was selected to the 2002 US Junior National team that will train in Colorado Springs. Hildebrand, who comes to The Beach from Red Mountain HS (Mesa, AZ), won the Volleyball Co-Player of the Year award in Arizona his senior year. Finally, Peters, who joins LBSU after graduating from Marina HS (Huntington Beach, CA), led his team to four consecutive Sunset League titles.
"Duncan Budinger will help our squad in the middle," said Knipe. "His physical presence at the net will help us sideout and score points. Beau Peters is a very gifted setter, he runs the court well brings a lot of intensity to the court. His jump serve and all around volleyball skill gives our team a big upgrade. Tyler Hildebrand is a very gifted athlete and an even better competitor. Beau and Tyler are two of the most talented athletes we have ever had at the setters position."
To help balance the youth with consistency and leadership, Knipe has five returning starters, including co-captains, Jeff Wootton and David Lee. "(Jeff and David) are bigger, stronger, and more confident," said Knipe. " We expect great things from them this year."
Wootton, last season, led the team with 3.26 kills per game and posted double-figures in kills 22 times. Lee had a tremendous sophomore season, averaging 2.64 kills per game. His .353 hitting percentage, 94 block assists, and 18 block solos placed him in the top-5 in the sophomore season record book.
Rounding out the returning starters is Matt Meine and Scott Touzinsky, both of whom will be called upon to bring extra firepower to the outside hitter position. "Scott has made huge strides in his overall strength since last year," commented Knipe. "He has had a great fall, he has developed into one of the best blockers we've had. Combined with his serving, Scott will generate a lot of points for us."
"Matt Meine is one of the most competitive players in our gym," said Knipe. "His ability to train at a real high level is contagious to his teammates. He will help us at Opposite and Outside Hitter." Meine appeared in 101 games as a freshman, averaging 2.18 kills per game. His 17 service aces placed him No. 5 all-time for a freshman.
Touzinsky matched his freshman ace total once again his sophomore season with 43. His 43 aces were both sophomore single season and team single season records. Touzinsky also averaged 3.02 kills per game, second best on the team.
Yassir Sliti, will play Opposite and Middle. Knipe feels that Sliti has shown a lot of improvement this fall. One of the players definitely to watch this season will be Phillips White. "Phillip is the epitome of Long Beach State Volleyball," said Knipe. "He plays with his heart on his sleeve and he brings it to the court everyday."
Rounding out the rest of the returning players are Paul Munoz, Robert Kijewski, and Dan Samuelson. Munoz, who played on the USA Junior Nation Team last summer, will bring "the experience of playing internationally to our team this season," commented Knipe.
"Robert is a player that wears many hats," said Knipe. "He as played every position for us at one time or another. He is a very valuable piece of the puzzle."
cont...
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GO BEACH!!!
