British Women's Volleyball Roster for the 2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympics marked a significant moment for British volleyball. Under the guidance of head coach Audrey Cooper, the women's national team assembled a diverse roster of athletes, combining collegiate talent from the United States with experienced professionals playing in European leagues.
The squad featured a range of specialized roles, including the libero—a defensive specialist who can substitute for any back-row player—and the team captain, who provides leadership on the court. The physical profiles of the athletes varied significantly, with heights ranging from 1.68 m to 1.95 m, allowing the team to balance agility with powerful net presence.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Head Coach: Audrey Cooper.
- Tallest Player: Ciara Michel at 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in).
- Highest Spike: Ciara Michel reached a spike height of 320 cm (130 in).
- Highest Block: Ciara Michel recorded a block height of 302 cm (119 in).
- Team Captain: Lynne Beattie.
- Libero: Maria Bertelli.
Detailed Athlete Profiles
The roster was composed of 13 athletes with varying strengths in spiking (the act of hitting the ball over the net into the opponent's court) and blocking (deflecting the ball back into the opponent's court at the net).
The Power Hitters
Ciara Michel stood out as the most physically imposing player on the team, leading the squad in both spike and block heights. Other significant offensive threats included Savanah Leaf and Elizabeth Reid, both of whom achieved spike heights of 314 cm or higher.
Defensive and Tactical Specialists
Maria Bertelli served as the team's libero, focusing on reception and floor defense. The team's leadership was anchored by captain Lynne Beattie, who brought a balanced combination of height (1.82 m) and jumping ability to the court.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]2012 Roster Summary
| Name | Height | Weight | Spike | Block | 2012 Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savanah Leaf | 1.83 m | 68 kg | 316 cm | 289 cm | University of Miami |
| Lucy Wicks | 1.73 m | 60 kg | 285 cm | 274 cm | Alemannia Aachen |
| Rachel Laybourne | 1.78 m | 65 kg | 299 cm | 279 cm | Silesia Volley Myslowice |
| Jennifer Taylor | 1.79 m | 74 kg | 287 cm | 278 cm | TFM/DOK Dwingeloo |
| Maria Bertelli | 1.71 m | 64 kg | 279 cm | 263 cm | VBC Köniz |
| Rachel Bragg | 1.85 m | 74 kg | 300 cm | 283 cm | VT Aurubis Hamburg |
| Joanne Morgan | 1.68 m | 62 kg | 278 cm | 271 cm | TFM/DOK Dwingeloo |
| Lynne Beattie | 1.82 m | 64 kg | 305 cm | 287 cm | CV Las Palmas |
| Elizabeth Reid | 1.80 m | 76 kg | 314 cm | 300 cm | University of Georgia |
| Janine Sandell | 1.80 m | 84 kg | 305 cm | 283 cm | CV Albacete |
| Grace Carter | 1.83 m | 84 kg | 304 cm | 291 cm | Olympic Terville Florange |
| Ciara Michel | 1.95 m | 70 kg | 320 cm | 302 cm | Alemannia Aachen |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the head coach of the British women's volleyball team in 2012?
The team was led by head coach Audrey Cooper.
Who served as the team captain for the 2012 Olympics?
Lynne Beattie served as the captain of the squad.
Which player had the highest vertical reach for spiking?
Ciara Michel had the highest spike reach at 320 cm (130 in).
Who was the designated libero for the team?
Maria Bertelli was the libero for the British roster.
Which players were representing US universities in 2012?
Savanah Leaf (University of Miami) and Elizabeth Reid (University of Georgia) were the players from US universities.