LEARNING ON THE FLY

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2009
SEASON PREVIEW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2008-09 CW Tournament placing: 2nd
2008-09 CIS Tournament placing: 5th
2008-09 Overall Record: 24-9
2008-09 Conference Record: 14-6
Last CW Title: NA
Last CIS Title: NA

LEARNING ON THE FLY

LANGLEY, British Columbia – How the Trinity Western University women’s volleyball team fares by the end of season will depend in a large part on how well the team performs after graduating almost half of their starting line-up that was 14-6 in Canada West, finished second in the Canada West play-offs and fifth at last  year’s CIS national championship.

“As usual this year will be no different than other years as to the high level of competition in Canada West.  There are some teams, ourselves included, that have graduated a heavy senior class. But I feel that it will not slow many teams down,” commented TWU head coach Ryan Hofer.  “Each year it is a battle to make the final four and then move to nationals, that is our goal and what we are working towards.”

The Spartans graduated starting All-Canadian and national team middle Dayna Jansen Van Doorn, middle Julie Koepke and outside hitter Danielle Foth from last year’s line-up.

Despite the change in the middle the Spartans should be solid in all other parts of the line-up.

Running the offense will be third year and Canadian national team setter Lauren O’Reilly (5-11, Langley, B.C.) and third year setter Chelsea Hudson (5-11, Winnipeg). Last season O’Reilly led the Spartans with 8.83 sets per game, while Chelsea Hudson averaged 6.79 sets per game. O’Reilly and the rest of the Spartans will benefit from her experience this summer where she was the starting setter for Canada when they won the NORCECA tournament and qualified for next year’s world championship. “I believe we are going to be stronger in our setter department.  We have two talented setters that are going to push each other to be better,” said Hofer. And Lauren playing with the senior national team was very good for her and for us.”  
 
The Spartans defense will be anchored by returning Libero’s fourth year Andrea Ball (5-8, Abbotsford, B.C.) who averaged 3.41 digs per game and third year Jodi Neufeld (5-3, Surrey, B.C.) who averaged 0.47 digs per game. “We are going to be solid in the Libero position as well, Andrea is doing a great job of running our back court,” said Hofer.

The outside attack will come from fifth year rightside Kim Klassen (5-11, Abbotsford, B.C.) who averaged 2.54 kills per game, fourth year outside Kara Jansen Van Doorn (6-0, Langley, B.C.) who averaged 2.55 kills per game, fifth year outside Carmen Dyck (5-10, Creston, B.C.) who averaged 2.17 kills per game and second year outside Amy Leschied (6-0, East Selkirk, B.C.) who averaged 0.75 kills per game. “It is my hope that we will be stronger on the wings then in the past due to players getting more experience and improvement.  Even though we graduated a senior player in that position I believe we have the depth to be solid,” said Hofer.  

The returning middles will learn on the fly as they are thrown into the deep end of the Canada West pool. Looking for more time on the floor will be third year Ismay Schon (6-1, Langley, B.C.), second year Amy Leschied (6-0, East Selkirk, B.C.) and second year Nicole Bazin (6-0, Winnipeg) who averaged 0.85 kills and 0.55 blocks per game.  

With the loss of the middle’s from last year, it will be up to the rest of the Spartans to carry the load until the new middles get adjusted and the team gels as a unit. “Graduating Dayna and Julie has left us with new bodies in the middle.  We are young but I believe talented,” commented Hofer. “It is going to take some time but I believe we are going to be solid in this position in the very near future.  We just need to gain some experience.”

New to this year’s team are middle Lindsay Dykman (6-2, Terrace, B.C.), libero Chelsea Fitchette (5-9, Walnut Grove, B.C.) and outside Chelsea Wand (6-0, Langley, B.C.).
“Right now our recruits have added depth to our team.  They are pushing our more senior players and improving,” commented Hofer.  

The young Spartans will be put to the test early with a tough Canada West schedule if they hope to make it back to the CIS Championship.

“This semester is a bear.  Every game is big,” commented Hofer. “It is going to be a grind with some great volleyball.  I am excited and looking forward to it.”

Whether the Spartans rise to the challenge and return to nationals or are scraping for a Canada West play-off spot down the stretch only time will tell. But the answer probably lies somewhere in the middle.

-TW-

Last Updated: 2009-10-23
Author: Scott Stewart
Email: ssstew@twu.ca