Like the movie Moneyball, here’s how Auburn volleyball plans to replicate the production of Liz Markovska in the aggregate
It could take several pieces for Auburn to recreate the production of a major departure, but the Tigers could do it with returning offensive firepower and a slew of talented, incoming defenders.
Most everyone in the sports world has seen the movie, or at least seen the clip.
Auburn volleyball this season is tasked with filling the void left by graduated outside hitter Liz Markovska. Markovska was second on the team in kills last season, she changed the game for Auburn’s offensive attack by giving the Tigers a strong back-row hitter when she transferred in from Cal Poly, and Auburn thought so highly of her leadership in her one season with the team that she’s now on staff as an assistant coach since her eligibility expired.
So, when it comes to a player that valuable in that many ways, Auburn head coach Brent Crouch has to go to the quote from the movie Moneyball: ‘We can’t replace her. We can only re-create her, in the aggregate.’
Auburn volleyball is wrapping up its summer now. Players officially report for preseason practice Aug. 4, and Auburn’s preseason exhibition with Georgia Tech is Aug. 20. The regular season opens Aug. 28.
And as soon as players and coaches can hit the practice court together on Aug. 4, this is one of the key questions they’ll be tasked with answering before live balls are flying: How do they re-create Markovska’s production?
Here’s a look at the players Auburn hopes to use to do just that: