Cal Lutheran Volleyball 2010 Season Preview
Regals look for balanced attack to spark deep playoff run
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - A healthy
mix of veteran leadership and young talent make up the Cal Lutheran volleyball
team for the upcoming season. Thirteen returners, five newcomers and a head
coach eager to win her first conference crown have provided great expectations
and high hopes for the 2010 campaign.
"This team is as deep and athletic as
we have ever been," said fifth-year Head Coach Kellee Roesel. "We have a great
balance of talent, experience and athleticism which is exactly what we are
looking for."
Roesel has taken the Regals to the
NCAA postseason in three of her four campaigns including an Elite Eight
appearance during her first season in 2006. This year all members of the
coaching staff and team are optimistic about going deep into the playoffs.
"I definitely think we should be the
favorites to win the SCIAC, to win the conference tournament and possibly the
region," stated Roesel. "There are definitely tough teams in our region but our
ultimate goal is to make it to the Elite Eight and I think we have the squad to
do it."
It will be a tough start to begin
the season as 2009 American Volleyball Coaches Association all-American Erin
Exline will be sidelined for a few matches. The senior hit .291 with over 300
kills and 70 blocks as a junior.
"It is something we are going to
have to deal with, but we have players that can step up and fill in while she
is out."
The top candidates includes
returning sophomore Lesley Smith and freshman Lauren Rohach (Moorpark,
Calif./Moorpark HS).
Likely major contributors to supply
offense throughout the year will be senior middle Allison Kerr and outside
Megan Thorpe. The duo combined for over 600 kills and will likely be guiding
forces for this year's squad on-and-off the court.
Second-year Regal Rachel Smith led
the team in kills as a freshman with 347 in 2009. While gaining invaluable
experience and becoming another offensive threat last year, she is now
well-known among the opposition and will hope to continue her success this
season.
"We've expanded on her hitting and
she will need to be strong this season. Rachel does everything great and we
have expanded on her hitting...but with the opposition's block focusing more attention
on her she will need to stay tough mentally," Roesel said.
The CLU coaching staff will enjoy
having a host of familiar faces to supply offense when needed including Casy
McWhirk. The junior right side provided timely points in crucial situations off
the Regals bench last year and hopes to increase her role in her third year.
"Last year she came into some tough
situations and performed every single time," said Roesel. "(Casy) has earned
the chance to start and it will be interesting to see how she does in that
role."
The depth is truly a good problem
to have as CLU newcomer Melina Keaton has impressed the coaching staff early
on. "(Melina) does a lot of good things and makes very few errors. I am excited
to see what she can do once she learns our system."
Other returning CLU team members include
Erin Hedrick (Eagle Point, Ore./Eagle Point HS) and Caitlin Gusa (Mount Vernon,
Wash./Mount Vernon HS). Newcomers include Hayley Verner (Oak Park, Calif./Oak
Park HS) and Hayley Tamagni (Salinas, Calif./Notre Dame HS).
Feeding the ball to this group of
hitters will likely be another 2009 freshman standout in setter Jackie Russell.
After taking over as the primary starter mid-season she flourished becoming
only the second Regal in program history with over 1,000 assists in a season,
doing so in her first collegiate campaign.
"Last year at this time we didn't
know who our setter or other outside hitter was...that's like not knowing who is
going to be your starting quarterback and running back," as Roesel reflected on
the opening tournament at Trinity (TX) University to begin 2009.
CLU will boast a trio of setters
including sophomore Nicole Tracy and senior Cara Ihde.
"Any of these kids could start for
us...(Jackie) has a year under her and performed well as a freshman, (Nicole)
came into this season in great shape and could start on most teams, and Cara
knows the system well as a fourth-year senior."
There will be a new primary libero
for the Regals in 2010 with Jacki Richards, Taryn Williams and newcomer Hannah
Swaney (Placentia, Calif./Valencia HS) competing for the spot.
"After this weekend we need to have
more answers than questions. We're looking for a player to take over the libero
position and someone to step up while (Exline) is out," said Roesel. "It's not
all about wins this weekend. We are playing three top-14 nationally ranked
teams, a different style of volleyball and a preview of what we may see if we
reach our goal."
The Regals will begin their season
on the road Friday, Sept. 3 at the Wittenberg Invitational in Ohio before
returning home to host the first of a pair of two-day tournaments next weekend.
"Most importantly we don't have to
travel and miss class," stressed Roesel about the advantages to hosting big events. "It helps build up the conference not
only playing several in-region games, but also most of the SCIAC schools will
participate and get to check out the competition before conference season
begins."
Cal Lutheran will open its
conference schedule on the road Sept. 21 at Whittier and play its conference
home opener on Sept. 24 against La Verne.
Since Roesel joined the Regals
coaching staff Cal Lutheran has finished runner-up in the regular season
conference standings each of her four seasons. CLU is looking to capture its
first conference title since earning a share of the trophy in 2005.