Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Odom sets his sights on 2002 PHOTO BY ROBERT GRUEN/THE GAMECOCK Dave Odom is entering his second season at South Carolina. BY J. KEITH ALLEN THE HAMECOCK After leading the USC Men’s Basketball team through the longest season in school history (37 games), Head Coach Dave Odom is on the eve of assembling the squad for his second season in Columbia. Odom spoke about his return ing players, new signees and the benefits of last season’s postsea son appearance in a SEC summer teleconference call Thursday. Odom sensed a change in his team as it makes off-season prepa rations for the 2002-2003 campaign. “The difference this year is the players’ attitudes,” said Odom. “We didn’t have to search them out and encourage them this sea son, and our run to the NIT finals helped.” After losing to Memphis in the NIT finals in March, Odom thought the team is using the de feat as off-season motivation. “They tasted it and wanted more, they made themselves avail able to the strength coach and played a lot of pickup ball.” Odom added, “Plus, our players have worked on their skills as well. Last year at this time, it was more difficult for the players to see why these types of things are nec essary.” Odom feels confident about his returning players and is especial ly pleased by the late season hero ics of Tony Kitchings and Rolando Howell. Kitchings has kept in shape over the summer months, but Odom said the rising senior has focused on things beyond basket ball. “He’s been working hard aca demically and wants to put him self in place for graduation, plus he’s getting married August 3, so it’s a big summer for Tony,” Odom said. The Gamecocks will have to make up for the leadership and outside shooting supplied by the departed Jamel Bradley and Aaron Lucas. Odom will look to rising senior Chuck Eidson to as sume more of a pivotal role after coming back from a knee injury last season. “Chuck is stronger, has more confidence and his knee is just fine and getting stronger,” Odom said. “He is going to assume the role of leadership that Lucas had last year.” While Odom believes Eidson will develop into a floor'leader for Carolina, he was reluctant to dub him starting “point-forward,” a position Odom experimented with last year. “Playing Chuck at the point is a fail-safe option, “ Odom said. “[But] I’m not convinced putting him at the point will help the team by putting a ceiling on everyone else.” In an effort to replace Bradley, USC’s all-time leader in three point shooting, Odom signed guards Jarod Gerald and Terance Kinsey. Gerald may split time with Michael Boynton at the point guard position while Kinsey is looked at as more of a pure scor er. Odom closed his teleconference with a reflection on the differences between this offseason at Carolina as opposed to his days at Wake Forest. “In the ACC, they’d recite re cruiting classes and report when a coach sneezed, and that was a product of the proximity of the schools,” Odom said. “I like it the way it is now, because I don’t wor ry about the other teams.” "Comments on this story?E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail.com Volleyball ready to vie for SEC Championship BY-MATT ROTHENBERG THE GAMECOCK The 2002 version of the South Carolina Lady Gamecock vol leyball team should be just as fierce, if not more so, than any other team in the program’s his tory. With six returning seniors, the veteran bunch will once again make themselves a force throughout the Southeastern Conference and the nation. The output of the seniors combined with the production from the younger players gives USC a well-balanced squad, resulting in a team to be reckoned with. Megan Hosp and Cally Plummer, both All-Region and All-SEC first timers, are at the core of a strong group of upper classmen. Plummer, a right side hitter, led the team last year in total kills and kills per game with 339 and 3.68 respectively. One of three Lady Gamecocks to appear in all 92 games, Plummer also contributed solid defense, lead ing USC in digs with 256, while notching a team high 50 service aces. Hosp was the top setter last season, with 1,113 assists to her credit. With 2.47 digs per game, she also proved to be a capable leader on defense. Returning seniors and All SEC honorees Berna Dwyer and Nadia Sefferovich bring addi tional punch to the volleyball court. Dwyer, a three-time All-SEC middle blocker, had 189 kills in 2001 while chipping in with 54 blocks and 28 service aces. Sefferovich, an outside hitter, placed second on the team with 297 kills while leading with 32 receptions on the season. Sam Alban and Yajaira Cadet round out the senior class. Alban is a force along the net, with 67 blocks in 2001 and just under two kills per game. Cadet, an outside hitter, was among team leaders in several cate gories last season. The lone junior on this year’s team is Mariana Branquinho, a 6-2 outside hitter from Sao Paulo, Brazil, who saw limited action in 23 games last year. Branquinho should see more playing time this season, having gained additional experience over the past two years. Niece Curry, Amy Pratt and Bridget White form the sopho more class in 2002. Curry teamed with Dwyer and Alban to form a veritable brick wall in side. The middle blocker emerged with 58 blocks — 0.82 per game this past year — while notching 169 kills as well. Pratt will spend time backing up Hosp once again this year as setter. She had 81 assists in 2001. White takes the reins as top defensive specialist this season, accumulating 152 digs, 23 recep tions and 20 service aces in 83 games. Four freshmen join the Lady Gamecocks for 2002: Nicole Miller, Sarah Morgan, Lynae VanderHull, and Amy Benson. Miller and Morgan will add depth at the middle blocker and outside hitter positions, while VanderHull will step in on the right side. Benson is a libero - a new position on the NCAA lev el - and could see a good deal of playing time this year. USC will begin its run for a sixth NCAA appearance in eight years on August 30th in Lansing, Mich, at the Michigan State Tournament before re turning home the following weekend to host the Carolina Classic. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail.com PHOTO BY AARON HARK/THE GAMECOCK Volleyball team hits the court August 23 at MSU Tournament. FOOTBALL Student Ticket Distribution Season starts early, so get yourself ready Student Distribution Schedule New Mexico State Aug. 26,27,28 r Georgia Sept. 3,4,9,10,11,12 \ Temple Sept. 3,4,9,10,11 \ Mississippi State Sept. 23,24,25,30, \ Oct. 1,2 \ Arkansas Oct. 21,22,23,28,29,30 \ Tennessee Oct. 21,22,23,28,29,30 ) / Monday, September 2 - Labor Day > No Classes Monday, Tuesday October 14,15 - Fall Break - No Classes Date Coupon Book Sales - Aug. 26,27,28 UPPER LEVEL 5EC ROW SEAT 26U B 2 a __ : jig S 55 iwj Block Seating Schedule Georgia & Temple Sept. 3,4,9,10 Mississippi State Sept. 23,24,25,30,0ct.1 Arkansas & Tennessee Oct. 21,22, 23, 28,29 Students must have your I.D. Card with you to get into the Stadium with a Student Ticket. The Student Section is located in the North Section of the Stadium Sections 21 -34. L..I For more complete information about student tickets, pick up a copy of the Student Football Information Book at the Russell House lobby information Desk. Student Tickets will be distributed at the Russell House, room 205 9am - 4pm I Students are not guaranteed a student ticket to each game, only the right to a ticket as long as student tickets are available. Handicapped or disabled students can get assistance by calling 777-6742.