The volleyball team is hampered by injuries, meaning more playing time for freshmen and less time to prepare.
Freshmen Daniela Romero and Lauren Leaumont have seen significant playing time for the Tigers so far this season. Coach Fran Flory is impressed with the way the freshmen have handled the pressure of starting immediately.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for freshmen to be here right now,” Flory said. “Not only are they going to get a chance to play, they’re going to get a chance to carry a pretty big role for us.”
Romero replaced injured junior setter Beth Cowley, who is sidelined with a wrist injury. Cowley received offseason surgery on her wrist, but it continues to plague her ability to practice and participate in
competition.
Despite the injury, Cowley is second on the team with 56 assists and was the projected starting setter for the team this season.
“We’re going to give her a break now and see how she recovers,” Flory said about Cowley’s current status. “We’re going to do some more diagnostic tests and make sure there’s not something more severe wrong. She’s on a wait-and-see basis.”
The Tigers received another setback with the loss of middle blocker Megan Heinz against Tulane last weekend. Heinz injured her shoulder and Flory said she is expected to see a doctor this week but did not know the magnitude of the injury. Heinz ranks fourth on the team with 40 kills and second with 17 blocks.
“It may just be an overuse thing,” Flory said about Heinz’s shoulder. “We’re up in the air with both (Cowley and Heinz). We don’t really know how we’re going to fill places. It may mean we start five freshmen this weekend.”
But the freshmen have responded well so far this season. Romero replaced Cowley at setter and ranks first on the squad with 207 assists and third on team with 64 digs. She recorded 12 digs and 43 assists against the University of New Orleans last weekend in Cowley’s absence.
“Daniela is a veteran in a freshman’s body,” Flory said. “She understands the game, she understands how to run an offense and she understands what needs to happen to be successful.”
Lauren Leaumont ranks second in digs with 65 and kills with 55 and fourth on the team with 13 blocks.
“Leaumont is probably the best example of a freshman coming in and playing a role that she didn’t anticipate,” Flory said. “She’s been a nice surprise and she’s done a really good job.”
Probably the most important development currently on the team is the emergence of junior Regan Hood as team leader. Flory said Hood’s consistent play and dominance on the court earn the respect of her teammates, elevating her into a leadership role.
“Regan is a work horse,” Flory said. “I was really proud of her, I thought she played outstanding all weekend. She did the things that we needed her to do to be successful.”
Flory said although the offense lacks consistency, Hood’s emergence as leader is a beacon of hope for the future of the program.
“She’s not used to having to carry the whole load, so this is a huge learning experience for her,” Flory said. “It’s not a role that she’s super comfortable in, but it’s a role that she’s more than capable of playing.”