Aug. 28, 2002
On Thursday, UNC volleyball coach Joe Sagula hit chat to answer user questions. The 2002 Tar Heels return five starters from last season's squad that captured a third consecutive ACC title and finished 24-9. Sagula, entering his 13th year at UNC, is third in most career ACC titles by a head coach with three. The Tar Heels, preseason conference favorites, open the 2002 season this Friday against New Mexico State. This is what he had to say:
Maggie (Palmyra): What are your goals for this season? Were you satisfied with your performance in last year's NCAA Tournament?
Joe Sagula: The goals for this season are, the most obvious and common is, the ACC Championship again. The senior class has the opportunity to go out with four ACC titles. But even moreso, establishing ourselves nationally is a major goal. To get to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament is the main challenge for this team right now. This team just wants to be nationally competitive, and that's going to mean beating some top-ranked teams. Laura (Virginia Beach): What are your expectations for your freshmen class?
Joe Sagula: This year's freshman class is going to provide a high level of depth, a high level of play in some key positions. We have not had two experienced setters on our team in quite some time, and they will help in that spot. As an outside hitter, Dani Nyenhuis gives us a very strong performer coming off the bench. She should be able to step in at any time on the court. And McKenzie Byrd, as a setter, will allow our team to compete in practice on both sides of the net. And Taylor Rayfield is an outstanding ballhandler and will add great ball control with poise early in the season. Pauline (Raleigh): You only lost two seniors from last season. How do you think that their loss will affect the 2002 team?
Joe Sagula: Every senior brings something special to the team, and losing those two will be a loss. However, the core of this team was last year's junior class, and they are all now seniors. So, I think we should not have much of a dropoff because of that. This is a veteran team with four senior starters. We have plenty of experience. Clint (Greensboro): What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of your team based on their performances in practice?
Joe Sagula: The strenghts of the team right now are our outside hitters. (Laura Greene, Malaika Underwood and Molly Pyles.) Those three are performing at a very high level day in and day out. And secondly, the depth of our middle hitting is a huge strength. With such an experienced team, it's hard to see a lot of weaknesses. What we really need is our team to jel, especially between our setters and our middles. As we get better in our quick attack, we will have an even greater balance in our offense. Defensively, we're solid, but we will have to make big plays. Jessica (Queens, NY): You get to play in Carmichael Auditorium, which is a well-known venue for many sports. How great is that atmosphere for your team to play in?
Joe Sagula: Carmichael is an awesome place. The tradition, the intimacy opf a 10,000-seat arena is amazing, and when we have our band and our Carolina Fever there, it's a great homecourt advantage. As a volleyball venue, it's one of the best in the country. In the last five years, we have a great home record, losing only about four or five matches. Obviously, we love playing at home. Steve (Charlotte): Should you win the 2002 ACC title, you will tie the league record for most consecutive conference titles. Is there any pressure to attain that goal?
Joe Sagula: That is our goal. And yes, any time you do something back-to-back, you compound it. And winning a second one is more difficult that winning the first one, so I think there is pressure, but we welcome it. It's important for us to take each day, one match at a time. Peter Martin (Cary): With the new libero rules for this season ... what differences can spectators expect to see?
Joe Sagula: People will expect to see, number one, substition happening much faster so the flow of the game will be much faster. Number two, if your team has one great defensive players, they will be able to stay on the court all six rotations. So defenses, because of that, should be stronger. The only downside is that you won't see a libero serving. Overall, it should make for better volleyball. David(Winston-Salem): Hello Coach!! Truthfully, has Laura Greene turned out to be a much better "all-around" volleyball player than you though when you signed her out of high school?
Joe Sagula: We always thought Laura had great potential. We saw something special in her having seen her play so often in-state. But I agree, she has improved tremendously due to her commitment and work ethic. These are the types of players that coaches love to develop. Josie Williams (Memphis): Looking ahead at the ACC volleyball race ... how do you see things playing out?
Joe Sagula: Looking at the ACC, every year I legitimately say that any one of five or six teams can win the conference. First thing is, the team that finishes up has to stay healthy, and secondly, usually one or two teams hit a hot streak, and right now, it's hard to predict that. In 2002, ACC returns a number of veteran players along with UNC, so I think it's going to be challenging each week. I feel like Duke, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Clemson and Maryland return veteran teams as well and will all compete for the ACC title. Moreland (Michigan): Coach Sagula - You are so big time! How do you think the ACC will fair nationally this season? Good luck this year...
Joe Sagula: I'm hoping that the ACC will have at least two teams nationally ranked at some point. I think the conference is demonstrate that and everyone in the conference plays a tough non-conference schedule, so I'm hoping every ACC team beats all their non-conference opponents which will just help solidify our position nationally.
Ed: Coach, would you, if a great opportunity came along, leave Chapel Hill or do you plan to finish your career as a Tar Heel? Best of luck this season!
Joe Sagula: I love Chapel Hill. I have no plans of leaving. The traditions of UNC academically and athletically make this a great place. And now with the volleyball program being nationally competitive, I'd be crazy to want to leave. The next thing for me is retirement, and that seems to be off for a few years, I hope. Josh (Durham): What will make or break your team?
Joe Sagula: Staying healthy is always important, and to continue developing good team chemistry is a must. And getting off to a good start on our opening weekend and how we play is always a good measuring stick, even though it's a long season with about 30 matches ahead of us. Joe Sagula: That is all the time I have for now. Thanks for all the questions, and I hope to see you all at our season-opening match against New Mexico State in Carmichael tomorrow night.