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Bruins Look to Improved Defense in Effort to Keep Climbing in NWC in 2010
NEWBERG, Ore. – After climbing from seventh place in the Northwest Conference in 2008 to a tie for third last year, the George Fox University Bruins hope to continue their ascent up the conference ladder, with an improved defense as the key, in the upcoming 2010 women’s volleyball season.
“Our whole pre-season emphasis has been a preparation to take that next step,” stresses veteran coach Steve Grant, who enters the season with a 556-365 (.604) record in 28 years at the helm of the George Fox program. “We believe we have plugged the holes left by our departed players, for the most part, but whether or not the team is able to put together the statistical changes necessary for significant improvement remains to be seen. We have the potential to do well with an improvement in our defense, which gives us hope that we might be able to make up that difference between us and the top teams in our league.”
George Fox posted a 17-7 overall record in 2009, its best record in seven years, and finished in a deadlock for third in the conference with Lewis & Clark College, both at 10-6. Seven letterwinners, including two starters and the first-string libero, return, along with seven newcomers, as the Bruins seek to close the gap between them and the teams above them, NWC champion Pacific Lutheran University and the runner-up University of Puget Sound.
“This is a tough conference in which almost everyone will be improved, so we will definitely have to show improvement if we are to remain competitive with the best in the NWC,” says Grant.
Gone from last year’s group are four starters: First Team All-NWC outside hitter Lyndsey Hovee, who ranked sixth in the conference with 2.99 kills per game; middle blocker Kaitlyn Maddams, an honorable mention All-NWC honoree who was fifth in the league with 0.98 blocks a game; outside hitter Jennifer Panico, who finished sixth in career digs at George Fox with 1,357; and right side hitter Sarah Crossfield, now a Bruins’ assistant coach, who was ninth in career blocks with 156.
Middle Blockers
Leading the returnees is 6-3 middle blocker Eliza Pledger (Jr., Wilsonville, Ore. / Wilsonville HS), who paced the conference in blocks (1.30 bpg) while hitting .261, seventh in the NWC, with 1.92 kills a game. She was a Second Team All-NWC selection and received honorable mention for NCAA Division III All-West Region honors.
“Eliza had a great season last year both offensively and defensively as a blocker,”says Grant. “She set the tone for our defense with her blocking, and is an important offensive weapon for us. She has very focused goals this year and knows what she needs to produce to help us win. If she can accomplish those goals, she should earn even more recognition this season.”
Stepping in alongside Pledger will be 6-1 Isabel Valentine (Fr. West Linn, Ore. / West Linn HS), who comes from a highly-respected high school program and has plenty of club team experience as well.
“Isabel was well-coached and has a good sense of the middle,” notes Grant. “She is working on her jumping and is a much-improved blocker. Offensively, she will help us as well.”
Pleger and Valentine are the only true middles the Bruins have, though Grant can call on a couple of others if needed whose strengths lie elsewhere. “The best thing for our team,” admits the coach, “is for those two to stay healthy all season.”
Outside Hitters
Grant has four players he can call on to play the outside left front on offense in Carley Johnson (Sr., Gladstone, Ore. / Gladstone HS), who was the team’s starting libero in ’09; Kristin Knaupp (Jr., Salem, Ore. / Santiam Christian HS); Betsy Wilhelm (So., West Linn, Ore. / West Linn HS); and newcomer Amanda White (Fr., Vancouver, Wash. / Union HS). Johnson was fourth in the NWC in digs (4.16 dpg), while Knaupp averaged 0.38 kills and Wilhelm 0.81 kills per game in limited action last year.
“Carley was slowed by a shoulder injury last year that kept us from using her on offense,” points out Grant, “but she showed her versatility and proved to be a great defensive player as a libero. Fully healthy, she will be a huge asset who will make a difference whenever she is in the game as a left front, a left back, and even a middle if needed.
“Kristin is a smart hitter who just couldn’t break into the starting lineup her first two years but has a real shot at contributing this year. She is much stronger, has a variety of shots, and is developing consistency in her passing. Betsy worked hard during the summer and has shown much more power and consistency; her playing time should definitely increase this season. Amanda has tremendous potential; she plays with passion and will be a welcome addition to our attack.”
On the right side, Stephanie Kerr (Jr., Brookings, Ore. / Brookings-Harbor HS) steps in after averaging 1.95 kills a game as the Bruins’ first player off the bench.
“Actually, in the 6-2 system we run, I consider Stephanie a ‘starter’ anyway,” says Grant. “She had a great year offensively, and gives us a powerful hitter on the right side. She is constantly working on her defense and honing her fundamentals. A very team-oriented and unselfish player, she has offered to play the middle sometimes if needed, knowing we are a bit shallow at that position, and is capable of being a good blocker.”
Newcomer Cassie Irwin (So., Vancouver, Wash. / Prairie HS) joins the Bruins after transferring from Point Loma Nazarene University and will also work on the right side.
“Cassie is not exceptionally tall for an opposite at 5-10, but she is a smart hitter and is also capable of great defense,” observes Grant. “If we were to play a 5-1, she could easily play all the way around.”
Setters
Ali Toedtemeier (Sr. Beaverton, Ore. / Southridge HS) returns at setter after averaging 6.52 assists per game, seventh in the conference, in the Bruins’ 6-2 system. She enters the season ninth in career assists at George Fox with 1,014.
“Ali is our undisputed floor leader by virtue of her experience, play calling, and decision making,” says Grant. “She runs our offense very well, and everyone is comfortable with her directing our sets.”
Grant is also pleased with his two new setters, Danielle Boyd (Fr., Medford, Ore. / North Medford HS) and Myriah Dombrowsky (Fr., Rainier, Ore. / Three Rivers Christian HS), for whom he predicts bright futures.
“Danielle is perhaps further ahead in her development than Myriah because of the challenges of playing at a higher classification with the North Medford program,” comments Grant. “She is left-handed and has good size for a setter at 5-9, which means we could utilize her well on the front in a 5-1 system. Myriah is a pure setter who only needs experience to become a good college player.”
Defensive Specialists/Liberos
With Johnson returning to offensive duties, Jenna Dohren (Sr., Medford, Ore. / North Medford HS) takes over as the Bruins’ most experience defensive specialist and the leading candidate to earn the libero spot. She averaged 3.68 digs per game in a reserve role last season.
“Jenna is an experienced veteran who will be a big contributor this season as either the libero or a defensive specialist,” says Grant.
Patti Reeves (Jr., Everett, Wash. / Archbishop Murphy HS) comes to the Bruins from Bellevue Community College, where she was named the league’s Most Valuable Player as a defensive specialist.
“Patti is a solid defensive player who gets the ball up well,” observes Grant. “She is very athletic and loves the game, playing with all-out intensity. She will challenge for plenty of playing time this year.”
Providing depth on defense for the Bruins are returnee Rachel Milligan (So., Arroyo Grande, Calif. / Coastal Christian HS) and newcomer Chelsea Wilson (Fr., Ewa Beach, Hawai’i / Campbell HS).
“Rachel had a great spring and is much improved with her serve receptions and defense,” notes Grant. “If she continues on the path she is going, she will get plenty of chances to play. Chelsea has been a good surprise; she is a solid player with a relaxed attitude who doesn’t let anything bother her. She passes, defends, and receives well, and will push the other defenders to be even better.”
Summary
“Our biggest improvement is on defense, but we are perhaps not as deep in certain areas as last year and must avoid injuries to key personnel,” Grant says. “We had an exciting season last year, remaining in the running for a possible playoff spot down to the last weekend, and if we are to do that again, we must play up to our potential each time out. One thing we have been stressing in workouts is that you cannot take a night off, ever, in the Northwest Conference.
“I want to add one more note concerning my new assistant coaches as well, Gina Kluver and Sarah Crossfield. Gina played setter for us a few years ago, and Sarah just graduated, with plans to enroll in our master’s program in the spring. They are serious students of the game who have already been a huge help to me, and have really done their part in coaching and getting players ready. I am very fortunate to have them.”
The season opens for the Bruins on Wednesday, Sept. 1, with a 7:00 p.m. home match in the Wheeler Sports Center’s Miller Gym against Warner Pacific College. The weekend of Sept. 4-5 will find the Bruins co-hosting the Northwest Conference Invitational Tournament at Lewis & Clark in Portland. George Fox will meet Northwest University at 11:00 a.m. and Evergreen State College at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, and Whittier College at 10:00 a.m. and Walla Walla University at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
