2009 Georgia Bulldogs Volleyball

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The Georgia Lady Bulldogs are not a prototypical last place team. In fact, they are probably in the top half of the SEC overall when it comes to overall talent and general competitiveness. However, the Lady Bulldogs are a victim of their own geography, and it is a result of that geography that the Lady Bulldogs are slotted into the SEC East division, which is far and away the stronger of the two divisions when it comes to SEC volleyball.

2008 in Review: 2008 was, generally speaking, a successful season despite the last place finish in the SEC's Eastern division. The team finished with a 17-14 overall record, and finished a competitive 10-10 record in SEC conference play. The team played well at home, finishing with an 8-5 record on its home hardwood, but struggled on the road, only amassing a 5-9 record when travelling.

What to Look for in 2009: Job number one for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2009 is to compensate for the loss of its two graduating seniors, two key cogs of their roster. The loss of senior Anjelica Partridge should be easy enough to accommodate as she was a role player. However, the loss of Maria Taylor may be more problematic. Taylor was the most important attack player on the Bulldogs roster in 2008, and her loss will need to be accommodated.

Taylor's 3.50 kills per game will be hard to make up for. It will be entirely on the returning attack squad for the Lady Bulldogs to make up for her absence. The burden will fall on Erika Clark (2.55 kills per game), Lindsay Gehan I2.29 kills per game), and Valentina Gonzalez (1.88 kills per game). The ability of these 3 to make up for the loss of Taylor is essential for the ability of this team to try to move out of the cellar of the SEC East.

Defensively, the team should return from the 2008 season with barely a blip, as nearly all key personnel is returning for the 2009 season. Up front, the leading blockers are all going to be back. Those leading blockers include Gonzalez (1.01 blocks per game) and Ann Dylla (0.94 blocks per game). Lindsay Gehan may also be looking to step up her game (0.60 blocks per game). This unit should be one of the strengths of the Lady Bulldogs squad.

Georgia Bulldogs Volleyball

Georgia Bulldogs Volleyball.
Thanks to http://www.briggsphoto.net at flickr.com for the picture.

Another strength of the Lady Bulldogs team in 2009 will be the diggers. On careful analysis, the top 4 players from 2008 in digs are all returning to the team for 2009. Those include the dynamic dig duo of Erika Clark (3.25 digs per game) and Carla Tietz (3.23 digs per game), and are supported by Markia Taylor at 2.23 digs per game, and Kathleen Gates, at 1.60.

Georgia Volleyball dig

Georgia Volleyball dig.
Thanks to http://www.briggsphoto.net at flickr.com for the picture.

2009 Predictions: Simply put, last place in the SEC East. This is a solid squad, and I think it may win a game or two more this season even with the loss of Taylor. But the division is just too good to advance much farther in one season.

Georgia Bulldogs Volleyball
Georgia Bulldogs Volleyball

You can read more about last year's Georgia Bulldogs Volleyball at 2008 Georgia Bulldogs Volleyball Team.

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2009 Georgia Bulldogs Volleyball