OPPONENTS Opponents Big 12 Composite Schedule REVIEW 2007 Season Review Results Big 12 Recap...

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1 MEDIA Quick Facts...2 Media Information...3 Media Outlets...4 Staff Directory Roster Schedule...7 Season Preview Why Oklahoma?...10 PLAYERS Lacy Barnes...12 Bridget Laplante...13 Taylor Harbster...14 Jackie Fotu...15 Francie Ekwerekwu...16 Chrissy Disarro...17 Jasmine Powell...18 Sarah Machen...18 Megan Bess...18 Brianne Barker/Suzy Boulavsky...19 Kylie Cowan/Danielle Alva...19 Caitlin Higgins/Sarah Freudenrich...20 Stephanie Puckett...20 STAFF Santiago Restrepo Kelly Files...24 Sam Ojie...25 Nicki Green...26 Support Staff...26 President David Boren...27 A.D. Joe Castiglione...28 Athletics Administration...29 Head Coaches...30 OPPONENTS Opponents Big 12 Composite Schedule REVIEW 2007 Season Review Results Big 12 Recap...42 HISTORY Year-By-Year Results All-Time Series Records RECORDS Coaching History...64 USA National Team Members...65 Player Honors...66 All-Conference Selections...67 Academic All-Conference Selections...68 Individual Match Records...69 Team Match Records...70 Single Season Records...71 Career Records...72 Postseason History...73 Big 12 Records Big 12 Annual Leaders...77 Letterwinners...78 UNIVERSITY The University Academics Excellence Tradition Oklahoma Spirit Community Media Attention Strength/Sports Medicine Facilities McCasland Field House Big 12 Conference Norman, Oklahoma SoonerSports.com...108

2 QUICK FACTS GENERAL INFORMATION School...University of Oklahoma Location... Norman, Okla. Founded Enrollment... 29,721 Conference... Big 12 Colors...Crimson and Cream Nickname...Sooners Volleyball Arena...McCasland Field House Capacity... 2,000 President... David L. Boren Athletics Director...Joe Castiglione Associate AD/SWA...Stephanie Rempe COACHING STAFF Head Coach...Santiago Restrepo Alma Mater... East Stroudsburg, 1986 Career Record (Nine years) Record at OU (Four years) Assistant Coaches Kelly Files...Southern Miss, 2002 Sam Ojie...Tulane, 2003 Director of Operations Nicki Green...Southern Miss, 2003 TEAM INFORMATION 2007 Record Big 12 Record (Finish) (4th) 2007 Final AVCA Ranking...NA Letterwinners Returning/Lost...9/6 Starters Returning/Lost... 2/4+Libero Newcomers... 6 TEAM HISTORY Oklahoma All-Time Record First year of volleyball NCAA Tournament Appearances... 5 Last NCAA Appearance MEDIA RELATIONS Main Office Phone Fax Address...McClendon Center for Intercollegiate Athletics 180 West Brooks, Suite 2525 Norman, OK Web Site... Senior Associate AD/Communications...Kenny Mossman ... kmossman@ou.edu Assistant Director (Volleyball Contact)... Cassie Gage ... cassie@ou.edu Cell Phone Office Phone Associate Director... Mike Houck Associate Director...Jared Thompson Assistant Director...David Bassity Assistant Director... Craig Moran Publications Director...Debbie Copp Graphics Design Director...Scott Matthews Graduate Assistant...Phillip Rogers Graduate Assistant... Mitch Heckart Graduate Assistant...Danny Sexton CREDITS The 2008 volleyball guide was designed and produced by the Oklahoma Athletics Department in Norman, Okla., using Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop. A total of 700 copies were printed by Transcript Press of Norman at no cost to the taxpayers of the state of Oklahoma. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution (August 2008). GUIDE DESIGN Cassie Gage, Assistant Director and Craig Moran, Assistant Director COVERS Scott Matthews, Graphic Design CONTRIBUTORS Kristin Conder, Debbie Copp, Tim Letcher, Jessica Summers, Jennifer Van Tuyl and Matt Wilson PHOTOGRAPHY Jerry Laizure, Simon Hurst, Shevaun Williams and Associates, Ty Russell, Mark Kraus, Lisa Hall and the Oklahoma media relations files Nike is the official sponsor of the University of Oklahoma volleyball program. 2

3 covering Practice The Sooners will regularly practice at the Howard McCasland Field House, located directly north of the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Members of the media are asked to inform the media relations office when they will be attending practice. All those attending practice are asked to stay off the court. MEDIA RELATIONS Credential Requests Media credentials for University of Oklahoma home contests at Howard McCasland Field House should be requested one day prior to the event. Space is limited on press row and credentials will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests should be made to: Cassie Gage (cassie@ou.edu or ). kenny mossman Senior Associate AD MIKE HOUCK Associate Director JARED THOMPSON Associate Director Game Day Media Services Weekly OU and Big 12 media releases are provided to media covering home volleyball matches prior to the start of the contest. The Oklahoma media relations staff uses StatCrew to provide box scores immediately following the completion of each match. After a brief team meeting following the match, all coaches and players will be available for interviews. Media relations staff will also provide a game summary which will be ed to all local media and those outlets that request it. INTERVIEWS Media members wishing to interview head coach Santiago Restrepo and players must call Media Relations contact Cassie Gage for availability. Players and coaches are generally available prior to practice. DAVID BASSITY Assistant Director CASSIE GAGE Assistant Director Volleyball Contact CRAIG MORAN Assistant Director SoonerSports.com For the latest information on OU volleyball, including schedule, results, rosters, stats, game notes, standings, interviews and photos, visit the official web site of University of Oklahoma athletics at The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department was proud to go live with a revamped and enhanced SoonerSports.com on July 1, The new SoonerSports.com is hosted by CBS College Sports. Video Feeds SoonerVision will broadcast the majority of OU's sporting contests live on the O- Zone. The O-Zone is the premium portion of SoonerSports.com and features exclusive access to audio, video and content related to Sooner athletics. DEBBIE COPP Publications Director SCOTT MATTHEWS Graphic Design Director OPPONENT MEDIA RELATIONS DIRECTORY SCHOOL CONTACT ADDRESS OFFICE PHONE NUMBER WEBSITE Baylor Jon Brown jonathan_brown@baylor.edu Cal Poly Chris Giovannetti cgiovann@calpoly.edu Colorado Linda Poncin linda.poncin@colorado.edu Creighton Rob Anderson randerson@creighton.edu Hofstra Stephen Gorchov stephen.a.gorchov@hofstra.edu Iowa State Matt Shoultz mshoultz@iastate.edu Kansas Christine Dieckmann cdieck@ku.edu Kansas State David Wiechmann dwiech@ksu.edu Michigan State Shawn Davis sdavis@ath.msu.edu Missouri Tom Lewis lewistv@missouri.edu Nebraska Shamus McKnight smcknight@huskers.com Rice Jay Jameson jj7473@rice.edu San Diego Chris Loucks cloucks@sandiego.edu Southern California Jason Pommier pommier@usc.edu Stephen F. Austin Ben Rikard rikardbenja@sfasu.edu Texas Spencer Kitley spencerkitley@athletics.utexas.edu Texas A&M Debbie Darrah ddarrah@athletics.tamu.edu Texas-Pan American Bernie Saenz TBA Texas Tech Brandon Ireton brandon.ireton@ttu.edu Wichita State Tami Cutler tcutler@goshockers.com

4 MEDIA OUTLETS PRINT Associated Press Jeff Latzke Central Park One, Suite 202 Oklahoma City, OK Phone Fax Daily Oklahoman Mike Sherman, Sports Editor P.O. Box Oklahoma City, OK Phone Fax Tulsa World John Klein, Sports Editor P.O. Box 1770 Tulsa, OK Phone Fax Norman Transcript Clay Horning, Sports Editor P.O. Drawer 1058 Norman, OK Phone Fax Oklahoma Daily 860 Van Vleet Oval, Room 126 Norman, OK Phone Fax Lawton Constitution Joey Goodman, Sports Editor P.O. Box 2069 Lawton, OK Phone Fax Daily Ardmoreite David Seeley, Sports Editor P.O. Box 1328 Ardmore, OK Phone Fax SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR Fred Fehr, Sports Editor P.O. Box 1688 Shawnee, OK Phone Fax DALLAS MORNING NEWS Mark Konradi, College Sports Editor P.O. Box Communications Center Dallas, Texas Phone Fax FORT WORTH-STAR TELEGRAM Mike Jones, Big 12 Writer (thejonz@ .com) 400 W. 7th St. Fort Worth, TX Phone Fax television OKLAHOMA CITY STATIONS KFOR (NBC Channel 4) Bob Barry, Jr., Sports Director 444 E Britton Road Oklahoma City, OK Phone Fax KWTV (CBS Channel 9) Dean Blevins, Sports Director P.O. Box Oklahoma City, OK Phone Fax TULSA STATIONS KJRH (NBC Channel 2) Al Jerkens, Sports Director P.O. Box 2 Tulsa, OK Phone Fax KTUL (ABC Channel 8) Jack Bunds, Sports Director P.O. Box 8 Tulsa, OK Phone Fax KOCO (ABC Channel 5) Mark Rodgers, Sports Director P.O. Box Oklahoma City, OK Phone Fax kokh fox 25 (fox channel 12)) Myron Patton, Sports Director 1228 Wilshire Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK Phone Fax KOTV (CBS Channel 6) John Holcomb, Sports Director P.O. Box 6 Tulsa, OK Phone Fax KOKI (FOX Channel 23) Rob Loeber, Sports Director 2625 South Memorial Tulsa, OK Phone Fax RADIO KNTL/WWLS (104.9 FM/640 AM) Randy Heitz, Sports Director 4045 N.W. 64th, Suite 600 Oklahoma City, OK Phone Fax KOKC (1520 AM) Randy Renner, Sports Director 400 East Britton Road Oklahoma City, OK Phone Fax KTBZ/KAKC (1430/1300 AM) Chris Plank, Sports Director 5801 E. 41st, Suite 900 Tulsa, OK Phone Fax CAMPUS SERVICES SoonerVision Brandon Meier, Director 180 West Brooks Norman, OK Phone KREF (1400 AM) T.J. Perry, Sports Director 2020 E. Alameda Norman, OK Phone Fax KTOK/WKY (1000/930 AM) Kim Post, Sports Director 50 Penn Place Oklahoma City, OK Phone Fax KRMG (740 AM) Rick Couri, Sports Director 7136 South Yale, Suite 500 Tulsa, OK Phone Fax Television & Satellite Services Chris Turner, Special Production Coord South Jenkins Norman, OK Phone

5 ATHLETICS DIRECTORY xx ADMINISTRATION Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione Executive Associate Athletics Director Larry Naifeh Senior Associate AD/Academics & Student Life Dr. Gerald Gurney Senior Associate AD/Communications Kenny Mossman Senior Associate AD/CFO Greg Phillips Senior Associate AD/SWA Stephanie Rempe Senior Associate AD/Compliance Jason Leonard Senior Associate AD/Administration Gloria Nevarez Assistant AD/Business Affairs Robert Smith Assistant AD/Development Deren Boyd Assistant AD/Ticket Operations Billy Ray Johhnson Assistant AD/Equipment & General Manager of Lloyd Noble Center Greg Tipton Assistant AD/Psychological Services Dr. Nicki Moore Special Assistant to the AD Merv Johnson Special Assistant/Executive Director Varsity O Association Joe Washington department heads Accounting Beth Kelly Brand Development Suzanne Staley Broadcasting/SoonerVision Brandon Meier Facilities Danny Davis Films/Video Brian Martin Graphic Design Scott Matthews Internet Services Jason Matheson Information Systems Casey Bookout Publications Debbie Copp Sooner Club Matt Roberts Sports Enhancement Jerry Schmidt Sports Medicine Scott Anderson HEAD COACHES Baseball Sunny Golloway (Oklahoma Christian, 1984) Basketball (Men) Jeff Capel (Duke, 1997) Basketball (Women) Sherri Coale (Oklahoma Christian University of Science & Arts, 1987) Cross Country/Track & Field Martin Smith (Bridgewater College, 1974) Football Bob Stoops (Iowa, 1983) Golf (Men) Jim Ragan (Mississippi State, 1990) Golf (Women) Carol Ludvigson (Oklahoma, 1982) Gymnastics (Men) Mark Williams (Nebraska, 1980) Gymnastics (Women) K.J. Kindler (Iowa State, 1992) Rowing Leeanne Crain (UCLA, 1988) Soccer Nicole Nelson (Oklahoma City, 1997) Softball Patty Gasso (Long Beach State, 1984) Tennis (Men) Paul Lockwood (Oklahoma, 1976) Tennis (Women) David Mullins (Fresno State, 2001) Volleyball Santiago Restrepo (East Stroudsburg, 1986) Wrestling Jack Spates (Slippery Rock, 1975) 5

6 TEAM ROSTER NUMERICAL NO. NAME POS. HT. CL. HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOL) 1 Brianne Barker S 5-9 Fr. Amarillo, Texas (Amarillo HS) 2 Suzy Boulavsky RS/OH 6-1 Fr. Houston, Texas (Clear Brook HS) 3 Kylie Cowan S/DS 5-10 Fr. Odessa, Texas (Odessa HS) 4 Megan Bess OH 6-0 Fr.-RS Farmington, Mo. (Farmington HS) 5 Lacy Barnes DS/LB 5-8 Sr. Rose Hill, Kan. (Rose Hill HS) 6 Danielle Alva DS/LB 5-6 Fr. Arlington, Texas (The Oakridge School) 7 Jasmine Powell OH 5-9 So. Norman, Okla. (Norman North HS) 8 Sarah Machen MB 6-1 Fr.-RS Mobile, Ala. (McGill-Toolen HS) 9 Bridget Laplante OH 6-0 Jr. Houston, Texas (Klein Oak HS) 10 Caitlin Higgins OH 6-0 Fr. Amarillo, Texas (Tascosa HS) 11 Francie Ekwerekwu MB 5-11 So. - RS Arlington, Texas (Arlington HS) 12 Chrissy Disarro MB 6-1 So. Plano, Texas (Plano East HS) 13 Sarah Freudenrich MB 6-4 So.-TR Broken Arrow, Okla. (University of Arkansas) 15 Taylor Harbster DS/LB 5-9 Jr. -TR Grand Prairie, Texas (Southeast Missouri ) 16 Stephanie Puckett OH 5-10 So.-TR Allen, Texas (Texas State University) 17 Jackie Fotu OH 6-1 Jr. -TR Alpine, Utah (College of Southern Idaho) COACHING STAFF Head Coach Santiago Restrepo (East Stroudsburg, 86); fifth season at Oklahoma Assistant Coaches Kelly Files (Southern Miss, 02); fifth season at Oklahoma Sam Ojie (Tulane, 03); second season at Oklahoma Director of Volleyball Operations Nicki Green (Southern Miss, 03); second season at Oklahoma ALPHABETICAL NO. NAME POS. CL. 6 Danielle Alva DS/LB Fr. 1 Brianne Barker S Fr. 5 Lacy Barnes DS/LB Sr. 4 Megan Bess OH Fr.-RS 2 Suzy Boulavsky RS/OH Fr. 3 Kylie Cowan S/DS Fr. 12 Chrissy Disarro MB So. 11 Francie Ekwerekwu MB So. 17 Jackie Fotu OH Jr.-TR 13 Sarah Freudenrich MB So.-TR 15 Taylor Harbster DS/LB Jr.-TR 10 Caitlin Higgins OH Fr. 9 Bridget Laplante OH Jr. 8 Sarah Machen MB So. 7 Jasmine Powell OH So. 16 Stephanie Puckett OH So.-TR PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Suzy Boulavsky Kylie Cowan Chrissy Disarro Francie Ekwerekwu Jackie Fotu Sarah Freudenrich Bridget Laplante Sarah Machen Sam Ojie Santiago Restrepo boo-lov-skee COW-ann diss-are-o ek-wreck-wu Fo-chu Freud-IN-rich la-plant Match-in O-Jay reh-strep-oh BY YEAR Seniors...1 Juniors...3 Sophomores...5 Freshmen...7 First Row (l-r): Brianne Barker, Danielle Alva, Lacy Barnes, Stephanie Puckett, Taylor Harbster, Jasmine Powell, Kylie Cowan and Megan Bess; Second Row (l-r): Bridget Laplante, Caitlin Higgins, Suzy Boulavsky, Jackie Fotu, Sarah Freudenrich, Chrissy Disarro, Sarah Machen and Francie Ekwerekwu BY LOCATION Alabama...1 Kansas...1 Missouri...1 Oklahoma...2 Texas...10 Utah...1 6

7 TEAM SCHEDULE DATE DAY OPPONENT SITE TIME AUG. 29 FRIDAY! MICHIGAN STATE NORMAN 0 A.M.! WICHITA STATE NORMAN 8 P.M. AUG. 30 SATURDAY! CAL POLY NORMAN P.M. Sept. 4 Thursday & at Southern California Los Angeles, Calif. 5 p.m. Sept. 5 Friday & vs. San Diego Los Angeles, Calif. 3 p.m. Sept. 6 Saturday & vs. Hofstra Los Angeles, Calif. 2 p.m. Sept. 12 Friday # vs. Rice Nacogdoches, Texas 11 a.m. # at Stephen F. Austin Nacogdoches, Texas 7 p.m. Sept. 13 Saturday # vs. Creighton Nacogdoches, Texas 11 a.m. # vs. Texas-Pan American Nacogdoches, Texas 4 p.m. Sept. 17 WEDNESDAY * MISSOURI NORMAN 7 P.M. Sept. 21 Sunday * at Texas A&M College Station, Texas 2 p.m. Sept. 24 Wednesday * at Baylor Waco, Texas 7 p.m. SEPT. 27 SATURDAY * TEXAS TECH NORMAN TBA OCT. 1 WEDNESDAY * TEXAS NORMAN 7 P.M. Oct. 4 Saturday * at Iowa State Ames, Iowa 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8 Wednesday * at Nebraska Lincoln, Neb. 7 p.m. OCT. 11 SATURDAY * KANSAS STATE NORMAN TBA OCT. 15 WEDNESDAY * COLORADO NORMAN 7 P.M. Oct. 18 Saturday * at Kansas Lawrence, Kan. 7 p.m. OCT. 25 SATURDAY * NEBRASKA NORMAN 7 P.M. Oct. 29 Wednesday * at Texas Austin, Texas 6:30 p.m. NOV. 2 SUNDAY * BAYLOR NORMAN 2 P.M. Nov. 5 Wednesday * at Kansas State Manhattan, Kan. 7 p.m. Nov. 9 Sunday * at Missouri Columbia, Mo. 1 p.m. NOV. 12 WEDNESDAY * KANSAS NORMAN 7 P.M. Nov. 15 Saturday * at Texas Tech Lubbock, Texas 7 p.m. NOV. 19 WEDNESDAY * TEXAS A&M NORMAN 7 P.M. NOV. 22 SATURDAY * IOWA STATE NORMAN TBA Nov. 26 Wednesday * at Colorado Boulder, Colo. 6:30 p.m.! Hilton Nike Invitational (Norman, Okla.) & Trojan Invitation (Los Angeles, Calif.) # SFA Tournament (Nacogdoches, Texas) * Big 12 Conference games All times Central and subject to change 2008 NCAA Tournament Dates and Sites FIRST AND SECOND ROUNDS Dec. 4-7, 2008 Campus Sites TBD REGIONALS Dec Sites: Fort Collins, Colo.; University Park, Pa.; Austin, Texas and Seattle, Wash. SEMIFINALS AND CHAMPIONSHIP Dec. 18 & 20 Qwest Center (Omaha, Neb.) 7

8 SEASON OUTLOOK Junior Outside Hitter Bridget Laplante BUILDING BLOCKS oklahoma looks to the future to guide the team in the present When Santiago Restrepo came to Oklahoma five years ago, he set out to make the Sooners a national power in women s volleyball. Half a decade later, not only is OU on the map but the Sooners have the pieces in place to be successful for a very long time. Three years ago, the squad surprised the conference and nation. Now, everyone knows Oklahoma is here to stay. The manner in which the Sooners have risen may have amazed some, but not those who know Restrepo s style first hand. He is intense and aggressive on the floor and expects a great deal out of his players on and off the court. His expectations each year are simple make it to the NCAA Tournament. As with any team, OU s main goals are to win the Big 12 and a national championship. There is no question; the Sooners are on their way. With two starters returning from a year ago, the 2008 OU team features one senior, three juniors, five sophomores and seven freshmen. In all, the Sooners roster has seven newcomers five true freshmen and two transfers. With more weight being placed on the younger players this season, the time for the future in Norman is found in the present. It is always tough going into a season with the unknown, Restrepo said. That is how we are approaching this year. We have some very good players coming in, but we have returners who are very good and experienced. We only have one senior, but if we mesh right away, we will not miss a beat. All of the returners have worked extremely hard over the summer break. We know what some of them are capable of doing on the court. We had some of them play during the spring, and they did a good job. In each of the last two seasons, the Sooners were selected in the bottom half of the conference standings during preseason voting. During each of those years, Oklahoma finished in the upper tier of the league second in 2006 and fourth in This season, once again, OU was picked near the bottom of the Big 12, finishing eighth in the preseason voting. Only time will tell if the Sooners can break the barrier again, but Restrepo believes his team has a necessary ingredient to be successful. We are a team that relies on the team, Restrepo said. It does not rely on a specific person. My niece gave me a quote that stuck in my mind We are not a team of superstars. We are a superstar team. We do not want to have a superstar we rely on. We depend on the team. We have to understand that it is not a specific individual carrying the team. It is the team carrying the team. It will take the contributions from that team if OU is to be successful this year. Playing what is considered one of the toughest schedules in the country, the Sooners will be tested early. OU begins the year at home with the Hilton Nike Invitational and every team participated in the NCAA Tournament a year ago. The following week, Oklahoma travels to Southern California for the Trojan Invitational. After another non-conference road tournament, OU opens Big 12 play at home against Missouri on September 17. The non-conference schedule is extremely tough, Restrepo said. It was done that way because we knew we were going to start at least one freshman maybe two or more. They have to realize the choice they made (to come to Oklahoma) comes with some pressures. This is a very high intensity level of the game. We wanted to give them the experience of playing in that environment right away. It should prepare us for conference play and the NCAA Tournament. They will have to get their feet wet in a hurry for us to be successful. 8

9 Senior Defensive Specialist/Libero Lacy Barnes OUTSIDE HITTERS Returning Players: Bridget Laplante Jackie Fotu Megan Bess Jasmine Powell Newcomers: Caitlin Higgins Stephanie Puckett Suzy Boulavsky Again this year, the outside looks to be one of OU s deepest positions. It is the most obvious strength of the team and returns a very experienced player in junior Bridget Laplante. Sophomore Jackie Fotu also saw playing time last year and, with the introduction of high school standout Caitlin Higgins, the outside hitters are poised to be big-time difference makers. Last season, Laplante tallied 15 double-doubles, averaging 3.08 kills per game and 3.28 digs each time out. Poised to be a go-to player, the Sooners will look to Laplante to lead with good reason. The team carries a 75 percent winning percentage when she is on the floor. Bridget is very mature for her age, Restrepo said. She manages her time well. She is very strong mentally and we rely on her a lot because she comes through in clutch times. She s also been successful the last two seasons. When she has been on the floor, we have a record. We are going to rely on her a lot because we know she is capable of carrying the weight. Higgins was named the west team s Most Valuable Player of the 2008 Texas Girls Coaches Association 5A All-Star game. After earning first team all-state honors as a junior and senior, she comes to OU with several highly regarded awards. Caitlin has a very good knowledge of volleyball, Restrepo added. She is going to contribute and we have other players who could get some playing time in those positions like (transfer) Stephanie Puckett. We could also use Jackie on the outside. MIDDLE BLOCKERS Returning Players: Francie Ekwerekwu Chrissy Disarro Sarah Machen Newcomers: Sarah Freudenrich One of the league s top middle blockers, Ekwerekwu returns to pick up where she left off last season. A preseason All-Big 12 selection this year, Ekwerekwu finished last season as a member of the Big 12 All-Freshman team. Francie is coming back from surgery on both knees (she redshirted her true freshman season), Restrepo said. Last year, she played hurt. I cannot wait to see what she is capable of at 100 percent. Just a year ago, on those hurt knees, Ekwerekwu averaged 2.61 kills per game and had a.344 hitting percentage against Big 12 schools. She emerged during the later part of the season, recording double-digit kills in 13 of the last 20 matches. Sarah Freudenrich comes to OU with a year of experience playing in the Southeastern Conference. A transfer from the University of Arkansas, Freudenrich averaged 1.70 kills and 1.45 blocks for the Razorbacks. She also earned All-Southeastern Conference Freshman team honors. SEASON OUTLOOK SETTERS Newcomers: Brianne Barker Kylie Cowan The position that appears to be most untested for the Sooners will be one considered the most important on the floor. The Sooners have just two players at this position, Brianne Barker and Kylie Cowan, both of whom are new to the program. At least one of these two players will have to step up early if OU expects to contend. Barker comes to OU with many high school accolades, including being named Texas Gatorade Player of the Year and an American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American. Her high school team won back-to-back state titles and with a resume like Barker s, she knows what it takes to win. Cowan comes to Oklahoma from Odessa, Texas, and has several honors to her credit, as well. This is a tough position with everyone being new to our program, Restrepo said. It is a position I think both Brianne and Kylie can play. Brianne can run the offense the way I want it run. Kylie needs a little work, but that is what we are here for to work hard to make players better. DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS/LIBEROS Returning Players: Lacy Barnes Taylor Harbster Newcomers: Danielle Alva Despite just two returners, the Sooners are deep at the defensive specialist/libero position. Lacy Barnes, the only senior on this season s squad enters her final season with experience from last year. Barnes possesses an impressive work ethic and Restrepo expects to see it carry over to the court during games. A year ago, she averaged 1.70 digs per game. After transferring from Southeast Missouri State two years ago, junior Taylor Harbster finally has one Sooner season under her belt. She saw action last season, mainly to serve at key points. We are very deep in some positions, and this is one of them, Restrepo said. Lacy brings experience to the table and has gotten better with her serve, passing and defense. She contributed a lot last year. This year, she will contribute in a different capacity, but I know she can carry the load. We have others like Taylor, Jasmine and Danielle who are all very good defenders. It is going to be good to see a competitive practice. WE ARE A TEAM THAT RELIES ON THE TEAM. IT DOESN T RELY ON A SPECIFIC PERSON. MY NIECE ONCE GAVE ME A QUOTE THAT STUCK IN MY MIND - WE ARE NOT A TEAM OF SUPERSTARS. WE ARE A SUPERSTAR TEAM. WE DON T WANT TO HAVE A SUPERSTAR WE RELY ON. WE DEPEND ON THE TEAM. WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT S NOT A SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL CARRYING THE TEAM. IT S THE TEAM CARRYING THE TEAM. oklahoma HEAD COACH SANTIAGO RESTREPO 9

10 WHY OKLAHOMA? I wanted to play for Oklahoma because of Coach Restrepo s good reputation and strong passion for the game. He knows how to be serious and to have fun at the same time while creating a positive atmosphere. - Chrissy Disarro I chose Oklahoma because it is a great school and has excellent athletic programs. I have always wanted to play in the Big 12 and OU seemed like the perfect fit for me. - Caitlin Higgins Oklahoma felt like the perfect fit for my personality. I love the school spirit, which apparently OU has. It was one of those moments where from the time I stepped foot on the campus, I knew it was for me. - Suzy Boulavsky OU has a great academic and athletic program with a great environment. I came to Oklahoma because I loved the feeling that the people at OU and in Norman gave me. - Jackie Fotu 10