Starting her junior season, Christen Casey has a new position, a larger role on the Syracuse volleyball team and a new uniform.

The changes for Casey, a defensive specialist from Long Beach, Ind., come because of a new NCAA rule introducing the libero position to women’s volleyball. The Orangewomen will need quality defensive play from Casey as they face their first major competition of the season at the JMU/Days Inn Volleyball Classic in Harrisonburg, Va.

Used for years in international competition, the libero position allows one defensive player on each team to ignore normal substitution rules and remain on the court for most of the game. The libero is not allowed to serve, block or attack but allows a team to have its top defensive player on the court for nearly the whole match.

The libero also must wear a different-colored jersey from her teammates while on the court.

As a result, Casey’s playing time has nearly doubled.

‘I was always a defensive player, and now I have more time on the court,’ Casey said. ‘It gives our whole team the advantage of having an all-time defender on the court.”

In her first action as the libero during the Big Orange Tournament last weekend, Casey picked up 34 digs while being named to the all-tournament team. The rule change allowed her to be on the court in key situations, when in the past she would have been sitting on the bench.

Assistant coach Alexis Dankulic believes the rule change was primarily made for fans. Dankulic said the libero helps produce longer rallies and more exciting play.

‘We were ready for (the libero), and as a team we are really looking forward to it,’ Dankulic said.

For head coach Jing Pu, the 2002 season will be his first experience coaching with the libero rule in place. He said it has been simple and easy to integrate into the game plan.

The rule change comes at a good time for Syracuse because it already has an experienced defensive player.

‘It’s good for us because we have a quality defensive specialist,” Pu said, “and her playing time has almost doubled.”

Defense played a key role in Syracuse’s three wins in as many games of last week’s tournament. Pu believes it will remain a strength through the season.

‘The libero will enhance our ball control and back-row defense,’ Pu said.

The Orangewomen will compete today and tomorrow against Maryland, tourney host James Madison, and Campbell.

Maryland is off to a 3-0 start, winning the Maryland Invitational with victories against Binghamton, George Washington and Maryland-Baltimore County. Terrapin junior outside hitter Lynnsy Jones led Maryland, totaling 42 kills while winning the tournament’s most valuable player award.

James Madison is 1-3 heading into its first home games at Sinclair Gymnasium. It’s the season debut for Fighting Camels.

Dankulic, the Syracuse assistant, feels this weekend’s tournament will provide the Orangewomen with significantly tougher competition. She feels it will be a good early-season test for the young Orangewomen.

Said Dankulic: ‘If our kids step up we should be fine.”

Published on September 5, 2002 at 12:00 pm