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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Setters Ready To Lead Rebels In Season Opener
8/27/2010 | Volleyball
Aug. 27, 2010
This is the fourth article of four looking at each position on the 2010 Rebel Volleyball team leading up to today's season opener against UT-San Antonio.
OXFORD, Miss. -- The position of setter could hold the most answers when it comes to the success achieved by the Rebels in 2010. With a senior and a sophomore, it wouldn't normally be thought of us a "young" position. But in many ways, the position is relatively young.
That won't keep the two setters on the squad from taking the court with confidence in the season opener against UT-San Antonio today at 4:30 p.m. The Rebels are competing in the Rice Invitational this weekend and will face UT-San Antonio, Texas Tech and Rice over the weekend.
Returning to the lineup is Emily Kvitle, a senior who has been a yeoman of sorts in her career as she has played three positions in her time with the Red and Blue. A year ago, Kvitle made the transition from back row to setter, splitting time in the starting role.
As a setter in 2009, Kvitle came up with a team-leading 578 assists and averaged 6.49 assists per set. She also put down 20 kills and came up with 165 digs as the versatile athlete settled into her new role with the team.
With a year under her belt, the Rebels are expecting big things from the senior who possesses an incomparable work ethic.
"Emily has been a utility player and developed into a very nice setter," Getzin said. "She's put in a ton of time with the position and it really shows. What separates her from others is her willpower and her competitive spirit. Now that she feels comfortable she is really showing how competitive and cagey she is.
"I think a year of having setting experience has really helped her. She is much more comfortable running the offense and that will help greatly. It's tough to be thrown into your third role, but she's always accepted doing whatever it takes to make her team successful. She's a bright kid and has a good volleyball IQ. Setting is a very skilled position that takes a lot of repetition. She is very committed and we've seen tremendous growth in her."
Joining Kvitle at the setter position is sophomore transfer Amanda Philpot. Philpot comes to the Rebels after a freshman season at Georgetown College where she helped lead her team to the NAIA National Championship Match, finishing as the national runner-up. She was also an All-Conference selection in her season at Georgetown College.
"Amanda comes to us as a true setter, having played the position her whole life," Getzin said. "She's a little smaller, but I've been impressed that her size isn't a factor. She plays big at the net and is a very experienced setter. I think she's caught up to the speed of our game and it's been a seamless transition for her."
