Post by FIUPantherFan on Sept 18, 2007 9:42:56 GMT -5
As it appears in the Miami Herald
BY PETE PELEGRIN
It seems like 2004 is a distant memory for the Florida International volleyball team.
Three years ago, the Golden Panthers endured their worst season, slumping to a 3-23 record, but since then FIU has been on the rise, winning the Sun Belt Conference last season and earlier this month knocking off No. 20 Missouri.
The Golden Panthers are 5-2 this season after winning the Stetson Invitational last weekend in DeLand.
FIU's turnaround began in 2005 with a 15-13 season after the three win-season the previous year.
FIU reached the pinnacle of the Sun Belt last season, going 24-8 and winning the conference title.
''We realized there were some tough seasons here before,'' sophomore All-American Yarimar Rosa said in Spanish. ``But there was nothing we could do about that. We just focused on each of us getting better. Our defense got better and our serve and serve receive improved the last few years, and now we're seeing the results.''
Coach Danijela Tomic has a roster of players from Eastern Europe, South and Central America and South Florida. Five seniors, two juniors and five underclassmen comprise the 12-player squad. Among them, FIU has the Sun Belt's past two Newcomers of the Year in Keila Oliveira and Anita Szymanska. The balance should help continue the success of the program.
''Our seniors have done a great job helping the program succeed,'' said Tomic, who was hired in 2005 after being an assistant at LSU. ``They've really helped the younger players out. We've got a good group of players here to help us continue building this program.''
• Long-time Division I assistant coach Kevin Fricke was added to the Golden Panthers men's basketball coaching staff.
Fricke spent the past 11 seasons with Sun Belt Conference member Arkansas-Little Rock. At UALR, Fricke's on-court emphasis was post players. Two 7-footers, Russell Hicks and Badara N'Diaye, make their Golden Panthers' debuts this season.
BY PETE PELEGRIN
It seems like 2004 is a distant memory for the Florida International volleyball team.
Three years ago, the Golden Panthers endured their worst season, slumping to a 3-23 record, but since then FIU has been on the rise, winning the Sun Belt Conference last season and earlier this month knocking off No. 20 Missouri.
The Golden Panthers are 5-2 this season after winning the Stetson Invitational last weekend in DeLand.
FIU's turnaround began in 2005 with a 15-13 season after the three win-season the previous year.
FIU reached the pinnacle of the Sun Belt last season, going 24-8 and winning the conference title.
''We realized there were some tough seasons here before,'' sophomore All-American Yarimar Rosa said in Spanish. ``But there was nothing we could do about that. We just focused on each of us getting better. Our defense got better and our serve and serve receive improved the last few years, and now we're seeing the results.''
Coach Danijela Tomic has a roster of players from Eastern Europe, South and Central America and South Florida. Five seniors, two juniors and five underclassmen comprise the 12-player squad. Among them, FIU has the Sun Belt's past two Newcomers of the Year in Keila Oliveira and Anita Szymanska. The balance should help continue the success of the program.
''Our seniors have done a great job helping the program succeed,'' said Tomic, who was hired in 2005 after being an assistant at LSU. ``They've really helped the younger players out. We've got a good group of players here to help us continue building this program.''
• Long-time Division I assistant coach Kevin Fricke was added to the Golden Panthers men's basketball coaching staff.
Fricke spent the past 11 seasons with Sun Belt Conference member Arkansas-Little Rock. At UALR, Fricke's on-court emphasis was post players. Two 7-footers, Russell Hicks and Badara N'Diaye, make their Golden Panthers' debuts this season.