Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

Joshua Coffing is in only his first season as the head women’s volleyball coach at Rutgers-Newark, but he likes what he sees so far from junior right-side hitter Stephanie Touzan.

Coffing likes what Touzan brings to the court, but it’s the other aspects of Touzan’s game and approach that really impress him.

“She’s constantly asking questions,” Coffing said. “She knows a lot about the game and the skills of the game, but she’s really getting into the tactical stuff. She’s thinking on her own and where she has to be on the court. Stephanie comes up with logical questions, more tactical than technical and that’s great. You love having players like that.”

Instead of sitting and just listening to instructions, Touzan simply wants to learn more.

“She’s always the first to ask, `What if we did this instead?’ or ‘How about we try this?’” Coffing said. “She always knows when she’s made a mistake and she’s aware of what she’s done. It’s impressive to see her mental approach to the game.”

Touzan said that it’s just the way she’s always been, inquisitive when it comes to knowing and not knowing.

“I try to ask questions, because it’s the only way I can learn,” said Touzan, who was a standout at Memorial High School in West New York, NJ before she came to Rutgers-Newark. “I always try to ask questions because I want to learn. I do the same thing in the classroom.”

Touzan started a different approach to volleyball this season after reading a book given to her by Coffing.

“In the book, it says that you should try to visualize being on the court and picture where I want the ball to go,” Touzan said. “I think that’s the reason why I’ve improved. I can envision where I want the ball to go. I can visualize the play before it happens.”

The approach has paid off, because Touzan is one of the top players on the Scarlet Raiders’ roster. She has collected 125 kills and 26 assists in 21 matches, while also adding 15 blocks.

According to Coffing, her defensive play has improved dramatically.

“Within the last few weeks, she has become a much better blocker,” Coffing said. “That was one of her weaknesses, but she has gotten much better. I think a lot of the reason for her improvement is instinct. Her timing was good, but she wasn’t in the right place. We’ve worked on her location and following the blocking scheme. It’s worked well.”

Touzan realizes that she is improving as a player.

“I feel like I am getting better,” Touzan said. “Josh keeps telling me to work on my timing and that’s what I try to do on the court. We’ve actually changed our blocking routine and it’s paid off. It has made things easier for me. I block more instinctively now.”

Coffing just enjoys Touzan’s personality.

“I’d love to have about four more on the team like her,” Coffing said. “She’s become an offensive weapon and we want to be able to get the ball through her and Rachel (Witt). But Stephanie is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. She’s very sweet and very considerate. She’s very understanding of what has to be done and she’s very accommodating. She has her funny side as well. Over the last three weeks, she’s become a more well-rounded player and she’s starting to come up big.”

Having another 5-foot-11 physical presence at the net, along with Witt, who is also 5-11, has to help as well.

“She is a tall girl who reminds me a lot of Rachel,” Coffing said. “She’s able to get her hands on the ball.”

Touzan also has her hands on her career plans already. She’s majoring in social work and psychology and wants to do something to help children when she graduates. She may pursue a career with either the state or local departments of youth and family services.

Touzan already works at a day care center in Fairview near her home in West New York and deals with children with special needs and difficult situations at home.

“It’s sad to see what these kids have to go through,” Touzan said. “I want to be able to help them out.”

Much like the way Touzan is helping her teammates these days.

“I feel like we’re getting better as a team and we’re coming together, which is a huge help in volleyball,” Touzan said. “Getting along with your teammates is important, because in volleyball, you all depend on each other so much. I really think we have a good future and that everything will come together more.”

As long as the tall woman in the front keeps asking poignant questions in an attempt to get better.