2009 Volleyball Preview
Make
every point count, no matter the opponent.
Head Coach Lena Chan’s goal for her second year leading Pacific volleyball is that simple. The strategy is focus on the Boxers’ own game rather than worry about who the opponent is, their ability or their ranking.
“Our goal is to never talk about the other team,” Chan said. “We’ll be going to McMinnville or Salem, not necessarily going to Linfield or Willamette. We need to worry about playing every point our way instead of worrying who is on the other side.”
That simple of a direction seems to be smart for what is a relatively young Pacific team. Despite an almost even split squad of seven returners and six freshmen, there are just three juniors on the roster and no seniors. That has not hindered progress in the preseason as those who gained a year of experience under Chan in 2008, led by First Team All-Northwest Conference middle blocker Kelsy Takashima (So., Kaunakakai, Hawaii), seem to be doing a good job of leading the newcomers.
“This group learns quickly,” Chan said. “The group that was here last year, the sophomores and juniors, are dictating the pace. That’s nice because in our spring practices you could really feel that difference in the gym.”
That leadership has created a fierce competitiveness on the court as both returners and newcomers vie for starting positions, but has also added a strong component to the team’s chemistry. The competitiveness, couple with a one point at a time mantra, has kept the team focused.
Chan won’t put a win count on what will make the season successful, instead choosing to focus on the idea of continuing to learn the game and take it one point at a time. “We will make some mistakes because of our age and our experience level,” Chan said. “That is fine, as long as we can learn from it.
“I can’t tell you where we will finish in the conference, but I think we have the potential to finish a lot higher than we have in the past.”
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
Pacific’s success on offense will revolve around Takashima, who became
the Pacific’s first ever freshman first team selection. In rather unassuming
fashion, Takashima notched 215 kills and a .279 attack percentage, second
best among NWC players.
Chan is confident that Takashima will continue to rank among the top middle blockers in the conference, if for anything but her work ethic. “She works hard every time she touches the ball,” Chan said. “She never takes advantage of a situation and never takes anything for granted. She works hard all of the time because she is never comfortable with herself. She can always do better.”
Returner Kelsey Carter (Jr., Escondido, Calif.) will also vie for a starting position at the net. Carter saw action in nearly half of the team’s matches in 2008, making four starts in the middle of the season. She made the most of her 24 sets, racking up 16 blocks.
Janna Kaopuiki (Fr., Moanalua, Hawaii) and Nia White (Fr., Dillingham, Alaska) will also compete for the blocking positions. Kaopuiki comes from a rich club background in Hawaii and earned honorable mention all-conference honors with her high school program her senior year. White, who Chan describes as a raw talent, comes to Pacific after leading her prep team in Alaska to three regional titles.
OUTSIDE HITTERS
Chan will look to a pair of hitters who gained a great deal of confidence
in the coach’s first year. Christiana Chandler (Jr., Wahiawa, Hawaii) slowly
built confidence while working her way into a part-time starter’s role
as a sophomore. After playing in 18 matches and gaining a year of maturity,
Chan believes that Chandler could be the team’s top hitter.
“Last year, I don’t think she felt comfortable being a full-time player,” said Chan. “This year she comes in as one of our top players. She plays within the system. She has worked hard for it.”
Keleigh Kremers (So., Beeville, Texas), meanwhile, stepped right into a starting role as a freshman and flourished, finishing fourth on the team in kills and fifth in digs.
Alexa Block (Fr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) comes to Pacific with the potential to provide some power that the Boxers have not seen in some time. A four-time prep all-conference performer, Chan believes she will be a force once she becomes comfortable with the system. “She is a heavy, heavy hitter,” Chan said. “She can hit over blocks and she can hit through them. Once she finds a rhythm, she will be unstoppable.”
Lauren Baum (Fr., Mill Valley, Calif.) rounds out the hitting staff. She brings another level of depth to the roster after leading her high school team to a pair of conference titles.
SETTERS
After
a strong freshman campaign, the bulk of the setting duties will fall to
Brittney Johnson (So., Beaverton, Ore.). Johnson emerged as one of the
top setters in the conference, finishing fifth in the league with 5.99
assists per set. She played in all 86 sets.
Sara George (So., Medford, Ore.) will serve as the second setter after
spending much of her freshman season learning the system. George appeared
in four matches in 2008.
LIBEROS/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
If
Chan were most confident in any one area, it would be in the defense. A
pair of returners and a pair of talented newcomers stand to give the Boxers
a steady presence in the back row. “Defensively we are way ahead of where
we were last year,” Chan said. “The system is pretty well in place.”
Mari Kondo (So., Ewa Beach, Hawaii) emerged midway through her freshman season as the Boxers’ choice at libero and made the most of the experience. Kondo finished second for the team in digs with 191 and 3.24 digs per set. Chan believes a year of experience has only added confidence. “Last year I think she was a bit intimidated by the older girls,” Chan said of Kondo, “but now she has come out of her shell.”
Kondo will compete for the libero position with newcomer Jade Thompson (Fr., Marysville, Wash.). An honorable mention all-state selection as a senior, Chan sees potential for Thompson to be a dynamic part of the Boxers’ program. “Jade is very energetic in the back row,” Chan said. “She doesn’t let anything fall. She is a very savvy player.”
After two years as part of Pacific’s setting corps, Lia Nishikura (Jr., Mililani, Hawaii) has moved to a defensive specialist role. Despite nursing an off-season foot injury, Chan says Nishikura has picked up the role well and has the potential to excel. Molly Trotter (Fr., Hillsboro, Ore.) will also compete for a defensive position.