2007 Volleyball Preview
For
the last two seasons, Head Coach Chris Stanley believed that his Pacific
volleyball team has been good enough to compete with any team in the Northwest
Conference.
A sweep of defending Northwest Conference champion Whitworth and an exciting five-game road win over Whitman proved to be steps in the right direction. The challenge, the fifth year head coach says, is to bring that high level of play to the courts against all of their 2007 opponents.
He believes that the 2007 edition of Boxer Volleyball, however, might have what it takes. "We've identified several specific areas of the game that we know we can focus on," Stanley said. "Areas where we can say 'If we focus on this, we will win.'"
Much of that knowledge comes from experience. Stanley returns a core of nine players who have endured a pair of 9-17 seasons, led by two-time All-NWC setter Anela Iseke (Sr., Hauula, Hawaii). A nine-player freshman class, which Stanley describes as his strongest since coming to Pacific in 2003, has allowed the team to move forward at a more rapid pace.
"Our large freshman group is playing at a high level," Stanley said. "We haven't had to start slow. We've been able to move right into our team systems without having to worry about the individual skill development."
While those freshmen will need to gain critical college game experience as the year progresses, they will make an immediate impact by providing needed depth at every position. "We're better off everywhere on the floor," Stanley said. "We've got three legitimate starting middle blockers and with having all of our hitters back, our setter back, our libero back and one of our middles back, we should be significantly better."
SETTERS
Once again, Stanley will look to Iseke to set the pace. The Boxers' lone
setter in 2006, Iseke earned All-NWC honors after finishing fourth in the
NWC at 10.03 assists per game and netting a Pacific single season record
933 assists.
Iseke will continue to be an all-around threat and one who has grown into a strong leadership position. "She knows that she's good, but she's still humble," Stanley said. "I think she's going to be the best setter in the conference."
Unlike past years, the Boxers enjoy the presence of impact freshmen as back-up setters. Lia Nishikura (Fr., Mililani, Hawaii) brings refined experience to the position, having earned high school all-conference honors in Hawaii. Brooke Toy (Fr., Drain, Ore.) will convert from hitter to setter, but enters with a high level of athleticism. A three-sport standout in high school, Toy was a three-sport all-state selection.
Stanley believes that while both Nishikura and Toy will be the team's setters of the future, they have the ability to contribute immediately. "If we had a situation where we wanted to sub Anela out of the front row, we would have a setter that could come in right now and play," Stanley said. "If we had an injury, we wouldn't be in trouble."
MIDDLE
BLOCKERS
After two years learning the college game, Joanna Delanty (Jr., Washougal,
Wash.) is in position to become one of the top middle blockers in the conference.
Delanty broke nearly every blocking record on the books last year despite
playing primarily in a reserve role. Her 1.01 blocks per game in just 68
games was third best in the conference.
Last year's experience has helped Delanty transition from a tentative performer to a mature upperclassman. "It's almost a situation where I start to take her for granted," Stanley said. "I see her do things and I think 'That's what we expect from that person.' She still has some growth to do, but she is ready to lead the team in the middle."
Kayleen Mitchell (Jr., Nyssa, Ore.) will have a serious look at starting time after seeing spending her first two years in a reserve role. Mitchell excels on the block, making 21 stops at the net in 51 games.
Newcomers Kelsey Carter (Fr., Escondido, Calif.) and Ali Prince (Fr., Tillamook, Ore.) speak for the strength of the freshman class as they too will challenge for starting positions. Carter brings a solid club-playing background in addition to high school experience. Prince should be a developing talent after earning all-conference honors in her junior and senior seasons.
OUTSIDE
HITTERS
Pacific's most experienced position, the Boxers return five outside hitters
in 2007, including four with starting experience. Melissa Dunn (Jr., Sonoma,
Calif.) comes back as a third-year starter and led Pacific last year with
378 digs and finished second with 241 kills. Jill Peacock (Sr., Baker City,
Ore.) led the team with 284 kills and will provide leadership with her
high level of energy.
Caitlin Gollehon (Jr., Bozeman, Mont.) and Sarah Braun (Jr., Bainbridge Island, Wash.) will vie for the starting spot on the right side after seeing spot starting time during their sophomore campaigns. Gollehon blossomed toward the end of the season and scored a pair of critical 10-kill performances against Southwestern and Whitman. Braun proved steady throughout the year, notching an 11-kill performance late in the year against George Fox.
Experience will be the difference for the starters, leaving five others to learn in a reserve role. Erica Drake (Jr., Yreka, Calif.) will see an enhanced role off of the bench as she develops more power as a hitter. Drake played in all 26 matches in 2006 and started in one match late in the season.
Lana Carter (Fr., Lahiana, Hawaii), Nicole Smith (Fr., Wailuku, Hawaii) and Christiana Chandler (Fr., Wahiawa, Hawaii) all provide a high level of experience as incoming freshmen. Smith has been the surprise of the preseason for Stanley, proving her mettle as a member of four conference championship teams in high school. "Every now and then I see the untrained freshman side of her," Stanley said, "but when I see her up-side I see a player who can come on the court and win matches for us."
Lana Carter (no relation to Kelsey Carter) brings great potential and energy to the program, while Chandler brings experience as a Hawaii all-state selection with four years of varsity playing time.
LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST
Alyssa Finn (So., Salem, Ore.) gained a great measure of experience as
a freshman, moving into the starting libero spot after Jamie Furutani injured
her wrist early in September. Finn matured quickly, finishing eighth in
the NWC with 4.01 digs per game while appearing in 91 of the Boxers' 93
games. "Alyssa is our lock at libero," Stanley said. "She matured considerably
and is starting to lead at practice."
As at every other position, Finn is complemented by a pair of competent freshmen. Stefany Doering (Fr., Burlington, Wash.) earned Washington all-state honors in the defensive spot, while Dara Otness (Fr., Ketchikan, Alaska) excelled as an all-conference selection. "As freshmen, they are at a higher level than we have ever had before," Stanley said. "Our practices are going to be a lot better, a lot more challenging."