John Groce will begin his second season similar to the way he began his first - with plenty of new faces.
Every player was new to Groce in his first season as Ohio's coach, and next year he will have seven more new players.
My biggest concern heading into year two is that we grow as a team - our cohesiveness
our chemistry Groce said. As a head coach I sort of feel like we're starting from scratch a bit with seven new players.
Those seven players are headlined by point guard Armon Bassett, who will be eligible after sitting out last season because of transfer rules. He transferred from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Bassett never actually played for the Blazers,however. He last played at Indiana during the 2007-08 season.
Groce said that although Bassett has been with the Bobcats since Winter Quarter, he still is considered a new player.
Joining Bassett are freshmen D.J. Cooper, Marquis Horne, Reggie Keely, James Kinney and Ivo Baltic.
Groce hopes the summer gives these freshmen a chance to adapt.
With so many players joining the program the onus is on rising senior Kenneth van Kempen to lead the Bobcats. Groce said he has seen van Kempen take on a similar role that Jerome Tillman, Michael Allen and Justin
Orr did last season.
The biggest thing I've seen is a change in his commitment level Groce said. He's starting to see the fruits of his labor.
Groce will rely on van Kempen in the summer when his interaction with the coaching staff is limited.
In the summer months there's no question you can separate yourself
Groce said. If they've got self-discipline they can make significant gains on the competition.
One player who hopes to make significant gains in his level of play is guard Steven Coleman. As a freshman, Coleman's role increased as the season progressed.
It's a big offseason for Steve
Groce said. I've tried to emphasize to freshmen that they had no idea what you were like in year one.
With Steve, now they know he's a good player.
The final new player is forward Asown Sayles. Sayles redshirted last season after he had shoulder surgery.
Groce said Ohio's quarter system has greatly benefited Sayles' recovery.
I'm sure it's difficult, Groce said. I'm hoping this spring has helped bridge that gap as he comes closer to full strength.
Strength training has been an area that Groce has really worked on with his team this spring.
It's been as rigorous of training that they've had since I've been here, Groce said. We pound their bodies.",",2,Sports,Steve Gartner,",",",",",","
28584,2009-05-28 00:18:00,Volleyball: Young team utilizes spring training to recognize roles
improve for fall,Fresh off a Mid-American Conference Championship and his first NCAA Tournament appearance as coach at Ohio
Ryan Theis is eager to start again.,Fresh off a Mid-American Conference Championship and his first NCAA Tournament appearance as coach at Ohio
Ryan Theis is eager to start again.
Throughout the regular season
Theis preached that he wanted his team to play its best volleyball down the stretch in November.
An impressive run through the back end of their MAC schedule allowed the Bobcats to peak during tournament time.
Like teams before them
they added some more hardware to the collection.
The Bobcats are returning all of their starters next season
and Theis has used his team's six-week spring training period to build on last season.
The NCAA gives us about 20 hours a week to work with the players (during the six-week period), Theis said. We usually pick two or three things to work on as a team, and we watch those in step.
Graduating seniors do not participate in spring volleyball
