Post by swingaway on Jan 5, 2007 14:31:10 GMT -5
www.presstelegram.com/sports/ci_4954197
LBSU is ready to move on
49ers open with news stars about to emerge.
By Frank Burlison, Staff writer
Article Launched: 01/05/2007 12:00:00 AM PST
LONG BEACH - The Long Beach State men's volleyball team opens its 2007 season this afternoon with a match against Cal State Northridge during the Elephant Bar Tournament at UC Santa Barbara.
Three players who deserve a significant amount of credit for 90 victories, an NCAA championship runner-up position and two other trips to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament finals will not be in uniform for the 49ers for the first time in five years.
But Long Beach State coach Alan Knipe isn't expecting to spend any time waxing nostalgic this afternoon or tonight during his team's second competition in the three-match even that wraps up Saturday.
The loss to graduation of All-Americans Tyler Hildebrand, Robert Tarr and Duncan Budinger last spring is something Knipe came to grips with months ago.
"It's not like it's just been the past few days in which we haven't seen them in the gym," Knipe said of the trio. "When we started working out in the fall, they weren't there. So it's been awhile. But that's college sports - guys (athletes) aren't around forever.
"It's part of the process. And you do miss them more than just as `players.' When you spend that much time around them, they become
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more than that to you."
And, like Hildebrand, Tarr and Budinger, the program - beginning its seventh season under the guidance of Knipe - has moved on, as well.
"We've lost a lot after the previous two years as well," Knipe said. "But at least we're not rebuilding an entire team."
A survey of Mountain Pacific Sports Federation coaches projected the 49ers to finish in a tie for seventh place (with Cal State Northridge) while the College Sports TV/American Volleyball Coaches Association national top 15 poll had them 10th - following the Matadors.
Knipe has no bones to pick with his peers' preseason analysis of his team.
"That's probably pretty accurate right now, as far looking who has what coming back and whatnot," he said. "That's fine. But it really means nothing (on the court)."
As Knipe mentioned, he's not rebuilding squad by scratch.
Middle blocker Teddy Liles was an honorable mention all-MPSF selection as a junior, when he finished sixth in the conference in blocks and had a .397 percentage en route to 150 kills.
Senior Tyler Caldwell led the team in digs and was second in assists (to three-time All-American setter Hildebrand) in his first season as a starting libero.
Junior outside hitter Paul Lotman, a Los Alamitos High graduate, was third on the team in total kills (behind Tarr and Budinger) in his first season as a starter.
Norm Hutton, a junior from Fountain Valley High, started the final six matches of last season and has evolved to the point where Knipe believes he can be one of the nation's best opposites.
In Liles, Caldwell and Lotman, "we have tri-captains for the first time," Knipe said.
"When he is disciplined with his footwork, he (the 6-foot-8, 237-pound Liles) is as good as a blocker as anyone in the country," Knipe added. "And he's a great `team guy' who is outspoken in a positive way."
Caldwell "got better and better last season," Knipe added. "He is so quick and aggressive and has a nose for where the ball is going to be. He has the ability to change games and that's rare to find in a libero."
With the departure of Tarr, Lotman could be the team's most dangerous scorer.
"He's come a long way since he walked on (with no scholarship) here," Knipe said.
"He's jumping a lot better and playing with a lot of confidence. He's a good passer and doesn't give up anything at the net (defensively)."
Redshirt freshmen Dan Alexander (who underwent back surgery in August) and Dean Bittner (a Lakewood High graduate) are in contention for extensive playing time as middle blockers, as is sophomore Luke Shea.
Sophomores Gavin Christensen (Wilson High) and Daniel Fabry will press for action as outside hitters.
As for who is stepping in for Hildebrand - the best setter and, arguably, the best player in the country last season - Knipe isn't ready to anoint a full-time starter just quite yet.
"Adam Schlesinger (a junior from Newport Beach), Michael Iandolo (a redshirt freshman from Orlando, Fla.) and Connor Eaton (a freshman from Santa Margarita High) all played well in the fall and each gives us something, right now, that the others don't."
LBSU is ready to move on
49ers open with news stars about to emerge.
By Frank Burlison, Staff writer
Article Launched: 01/05/2007 12:00:00 AM PST
LONG BEACH - The Long Beach State men's volleyball team opens its 2007 season this afternoon with a match against Cal State Northridge during the Elephant Bar Tournament at UC Santa Barbara.
Three players who deserve a significant amount of credit for 90 victories, an NCAA championship runner-up position and two other trips to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament finals will not be in uniform for the 49ers for the first time in five years.
But Long Beach State coach Alan Knipe isn't expecting to spend any time waxing nostalgic this afternoon or tonight during his team's second competition in the three-match even that wraps up Saturday.
The loss to graduation of All-Americans Tyler Hildebrand, Robert Tarr and Duncan Budinger last spring is something Knipe came to grips with months ago.
"It's not like it's just been the past few days in which we haven't seen them in the gym," Knipe said of the trio. "When we started working out in the fall, they weren't there. So it's been awhile. But that's college sports - guys (athletes) aren't around forever.
"It's part of the process. And you do miss them more than just as `players.' When you spend that much time around them, they become
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
more than that to you."
And, like Hildebrand, Tarr and Budinger, the program - beginning its seventh season under the guidance of Knipe - has moved on, as well.
"We've lost a lot after the previous two years as well," Knipe said. "But at least we're not rebuilding an entire team."
A survey of Mountain Pacific Sports Federation coaches projected the 49ers to finish in a tie for seventh place (with Cal State Northridge) while the College Sports TV/American Volleyball Coaches Association national top 15 poll had them 10th - following the Matadors.
Knipe has no bones to pick with his peers' preseason analysis of his team.
"That's probably pretty accurate right now, as far looking who has what coming back and whatnot," he said. "That's fine. But it really means nothing (on the court)."
As Knipe mentioned, he's not rebuilding squad by scratch.
Middle blocker Teddy Liles was an honorable mention all-MPSF selection as a junior, when he finished sixth in the conference in blocks and had a .397 percentage en route to 150 kills.
Senior Tyler Caldwell led the team in digs and was second in assists (to three-time All-American setter Hildebrand) in his first season as a starting libero.
Junior outside hitter Paul Lotman, a Los Alamitos High graduate, was third on the team in total kills (behind Tarr and Budinger) in his first season as a starter.
Norm Hutton, a junior from Fountain Valley High, started the final six matches of last season and has evolved to the point where Knipe believes he can be one of the nation's best opposites.
In Liles, Caldwell and Lotman, "we have tri-captains for the first time," Knipe said.
"When he is disciplined with his footwork, he (the 6-foot-8, 237-pound Liles) is as good as a blocker as anyone in the country," Knipe added. "And he's a great `team guy' who is outspoken in a positive way."
Caldwell "got better and better last season," Knipe added. "He is so quick and aggressive and has a nose for where the ball is going to be. He has the ability to change games and that's rare to find in a libero."
With the departure of Tarr, Lotman could be the team's most dangerous scorer.
"He's come a long way since he walked on (with no scholarship) here," Knipe said.
"He's jumping a lot better and playing with a lot of confidence. He's a good passer and doesn't give up anything at the net (defensively)."
Redshirt freshmen Dan Alexander (who underwent back surgery in August) and Dean Bittner (a Lakewood High graduate) are in contention for extensive playing time as middle blockers, as is sophomore Luke Shea.
Sophomores Gavin Christensen (Wilson High) and Daniel Fabry will press for action as outside hitters.
As for who is stepping in for Hildebrand - the best setter and, arguably, the best player in the country last season - Knipe isn't ready to anoint a full-time starter just quite yet.
"Adam Schlesinger (a junior from Newport Beach), Michael Iandolo (a redshirt freshman from Orlando, Fla.) and Connor Eaton (a freshman from Santa Margarita High) all played well in the fall and each gives us something, right now, that the others don't."