Coming off a 24-7 season and a tie atop the Mountain West Conference standings, Utah volleyball could have a challenging time improving on last season.
Gone are offensive weapons Lyndsey Henderson and Liana Bortoto, but head coach Beth Launiere has brought in one of her best recruiting classes ever, adding Airial Salvo, Shannon Krug, Lori Baird and Kathryn Lovell.
The end result figures to be a team that goes through some growing pains at the start, but peaks at the end.
"You want to be better at the end of the season than the beginning," Launiere said. "I think this year more than anything, we are going to develop as a team."
One factor that will go a long way to determining whether 2005 ends in success or failure will be the health of 2004 MWC Libero of the Year Connie Dangerfield. The junior tore her rotator cuff during off-season training, and Launiere estimates her return at 50/50.
While losing Dangerfield would be a big blow, the team did get some good news on the injury front. Sophomore middle blocker Carlee Kulovitz has fully recovered from a knee injury that kept her sidelined all last season and should be ready to play come the beginning of the season.
Considering the amount of gelling that will need to occur in the young team, Launiere eased up on scheduling a little this year. Last season saw the Utes play several top-10 teams, but this one will feature only a few top-25s.
"I downgraded our schedule a little bit this year purposefully because I knew we were going to be young," Launiere said. "It's tough enough to get us ready for conference, but gives us enough breathing room to get our feet under us."
Leading the charge offensively will be senior outside hitter Shelly Sommerfeldt. The two-time All-MWC spiker is the most experienced of the front line players and should continue to dominate on the outside.
Sophomore Emillie Toone should see an expanded role, as she has seen some offseason time in the middle, as well as her customary opposite position.
jbeatty@chronicle.utah.edu
