UAB volleyball garners respect from C-USA
Marlon Glenn, Sports Writer
Published On: 09/ 8/2008
R-E-S-P-E-C-T is how the Aretha Franklin classic goes, but the UAB volleyball team has earned it. UAB’s 24-10 overall record and 10-4 conference record last season, garnered some well-deserved recognition for the squad, who won the 2006 Conference USA tournament.
For starters, UAB was picked to finish second behind Tulane. Although, they were not picked to win it all, it still speaks volumes about being predicted to contend for the conference title.
“We’re really appreciative and excited,” said senior Ivana Bozic. “We would’ve liked to be No. 1, but that’s okay.”
Next, seniors (outside hitter) Ivana Bozic, (middle blocker/setter) Lily Domingos and (setter) Nevena Stefanov were chosen to the all-conference preseason team.
“It means a lot. It means the other teams are watching us carefully because we’re a strong team,” said Bozic. “It’s flattering, and gives me expectations to live up to.”
Bozic, who hails from Serbia, averaged 4.35 kills, 0.57 aces, 3.80 digs and 0.39 blocks per game. Domingos, from Franca, Brazil, averaged 2.23 assists and 1.43 digs per game. She also had a 0.311 attacking percentage, which was tops on the team last season. Serbia native Stefanov averaged 12.74 assists, 0.45 aces and 2.04 digs per game.
“We have a lot of new players and a lot of seniors,” said Bozic. “This season gives us time to make up the loss of last year’s players, and build on the success.”
The team has four new freshmen, a junior college transfer and a familiar face in Aley Tallman, who transfers back to the Southside from Nova Southeastern.
“This should be a great year because we have so many players who bring something new. They are so far ahead after a few weeks,” said Stefanov. “The freshmen look up to the seniors, and if we play well, I’m sure they will. We have a chance to do some big things this year.”
As far as pressure is concerned, the players feel there isn’t any. In fact, Stefanov calls it positive pressure.
“I wouldn’t call it pressure. We have certain expectations, and you have to reach them,” said Stefanov. “This is more of a positive pressure, and we have a chance to win the conference tournament, and go to the NCAA tournament. We have enough talent on the team to do it.”
The team faced pressure last year when trying to repeat as Conference USA tournament champions. Pressure just comes with the territory with this team.
“There’s pressure every year of course. It’ll be kind of expected. We’re expected to do well this year. This will give us a chance to prove to others what we’re about,” said Bozic.
According to Stefanov, the team’s awards and success are due in part to a combination of hard work and respect.
“All of the awards are built up. We’re confident. We’re getting more respect and more stats are seen,” said Stefanov. “Sometimes there are teams that work hard, but don’t get respect. It’s a combination of hard work and respect.”
Bozic feels the recognition is a combination of the cohesiveness of the team and the other teams’ fear of them.
“It just means we’re working together as a team, and other teams are afraid of us,” said Bozic. “They’ll try to find a weakness and use them against us. We have great players and coaching staff, and hopefully we’ll prove it.”
Both Stefanov and Bozic are fired up for the season to begin. Bozic is really fired up after missing nine months due to shoulder surgery.
“I’m just excited to be back with the team. I watched the conference championships last year. I’m just excited after being out nine months, as are other players and coaches,” said Bozic.
Fans will have to wait to see the Blazers on the Southside because the first eight games are on the road. UAB opened their campaign with a 3-1 loss to Florida.
The Blazers tasted defeat once more in the “O Dome” losing to Western Michigan the following day. Western Michigan swept three straight sets, 25-17, 25-16, 25-22.
Despite the setback, the Blazers responded well with a sweep of Ole Miss and a hard-fought victory against Creighton at Jacksonville State’s Holiday Inn Express and Suites/Hampton Inn and Suites Gamecock Invitational on Friday.
The Blazers beat Ole Miss 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-20) in the day game, and managed to squeak by the Blue Jays 3-2 (25-19, 24-26, 22-25, 25-18, 16-14) in the night cap.
The Blazers wrapped the tournament with a sweep (25-13, 25-18, 25-19) of the tournament’s hosts, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.
Once again, Bozic and Stefanov dominated with double-doubles. Bozic had 13 kills and 14 digs. Stefanov added 30 assists and 10 digs for the Blazers.
There were plenty of heroes for UAB. Stefanov tallied 94 assists, with 54 against Creighton, during the doubleheader. Bozic posted 19 kills and 20 digs against Creighton. Senior middle blocker Casey Dent totaled a team high 13 kills against the Rebels. Senior outside hitter Aleksandra Vujovic led UAB with 14 digs.
What will it take for the team to be number one in Conference USA? Hard work and a team effort are two of the main ingredients.
“It’ll take a lot of sacrifice, focus, time, effort, and energy. It won’t be easy because a lot of teams are on that level. It’s going to take all of our team to be number one,” said Bozic.
Stefanov says the team needs hard practices, positive energy, belief in themselves, and sacrifice to be number one in the conference.
“If we get along with our coaches and teammates, and practice with good energy, nothing will get in our way,” said Stefanov.
To win the conference championship in their senior season would be a memorable moment that the players could remember for the rest of their lives.
“It would mean a lot to win the conference championship,” said Bozic. “It would be great to come out of college with a conference championship, and make it to the NCAA tournament.”
Email: mjglenn@uab.edu
