LA Tech Volleyball Position Breakdowns: Opposite Hitters

RUSTON, La. – As Louisiana Tech’s volleyball team enters its second season under head coach Amber McCray, the team wanted to feature its 20 student-athletes. The third position group profiled will be the team’s opposite-side hitters – seniors Elena Takova and Molly Watkins and redshirt sophomore Elizabeth Sandoval.

In McCray’s first year, the Lady Techsters improved their hitting percentage by 3.8% from the previous season. LA Tech, however, will have to replace its top two hitters in terms of kills – 2019 seniors Madeline Davis and Kaitlyn Adams – during the 2020-21 season.

Davis paced the team with 257 kills while Adams ranked second with 224 kills. The 2019 senior duo also combined for 85 total blocks.

“We have a large group of hitters this year who have the versatility to play on either pin, but our three primary opposites will be seniors Elena Takova and Molly Watkins joined by newcomer Liz Sandoval,” McCray said. “Each of these three attackers brings a different skill set to the position that will allow us the flexibility to adjust match by match based on what we need most at that time.

“They also all have the ability to be effective blockers for us, which is a critical component to their position, especially with so many talented outside hitters in our league.”

Elena Takova | Senior | Sofia, Bulgaria
In 2019, Takova played in 54 sets across 22 matches during her first season with the Lady Techsters. The former Hutchinson Community College standout delivered a season-high 11 kills against Charlotte on Nov. 8. Takova tallied a season-best three blocks against No. 19 WKU on Nov. 14. The senior also hit above .300 three times while logging at least 10 attack attempts. Off the court, Takova earned a spot on the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Molly Watkins | Senior | Bozeman, Mont.
Watkins moved to the right side during her junior season and played in 31 sets across 12 matches. The Bozeman, Montana native finished the season with 18 total kills, notching a season-best of four against Mississippi Valley State. Watkins’ set a career-high with six blocks at Middle Tennessee on Nov. 3. Off the court, Watkins earned a spot on the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Elizabeth Sandoval | Redshirt Sophomore | Uruapan, Mexico
Sandoval enters her first season in a LA Tech uniform after earning Panhandle Conference Player of the Year honors as a sophomore at Florida State College at Jacksonville. The right-side hitter was named to the FCSAA All-Region Team this past season after averaging 3.13 kills per set while hitting .229. Sandoval also placed second at the U-18 Mexican Nationals in high school and won the Mexican National League championship with her club team – Nuevo Leon.

Coach McCray on Takova:
“Elena Takova is our lone lefty on the team, and with that comes an ability to hit a variety of shots you don’t typically see with right-handed players in the position. She has also really worked to become more dynamic over the past year and is now attacking the ball with the most power we have seen her generate in her time here at Tech. She is consistently finding a number of different ways to score in practice, and we are excited to see that translate into making her a valuable part of our offense this season.”

Coach McCray on Watkins:
“Molly Watkins is a player who we felt was poised to make a major impact on our team a year ago before seeing her season riddled with injuries. She has maintained a toughness through it all that is admirable, and the leadership she provides both as an experienced senior and as a bridge to our underclassmen is invaluable. Her blocking prowess is what stands out most, but her ability to contact the ball at a high point allows her to hit shots that can prove very effective for us offensively this year as well. Molly is one of our student-athletes we believe has grown the most in our time here, and we can’t wait to see that all come together for her senior season.”

Coach McCray on Sandoval:
“Liz Sandoval also brings a different look to this position as a true six-rotation player who has significant experience on both pins. As an outside hitter her talents earned her the Player of the Year title for her conference last season, allowing us to utilize her in a variety of different situations we don’t typically get to use our opposites for. She has also quickly proven herself to be one of the hardest hitting players in the gym who can score from nearly everywhere on the court, and we are thrilled to add her power to our offense.”

Keep up with the Lady Techsters throughout the 2020-21 season by following @LATechVB on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.