WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- The Whitman College women’s volleyball team is brimming with youthful promise on the eve of its fall 2004 season.
After a very successful 2003 campaign (15-10 overall, 10-6 NWC) that put Whitman in the midst of other top Northwest Conference contenders, the Missionaries look to re-load after losing two of the strongest players in the program's recent history.
Last year Whitman relied heavily on two four-year standouts, NWC first-team middle blocker Jill Huber and the 2003 NWC Player of the Year, outside hitter Denise Kirstein. With both players graduated, the Missionaries turn to a pair of senior co-captains and a fleet of youngsters.
Now in his ninth year at the helm of Whitman volleyball, head coach Dean Snider is guardedly optimistic about the upcoming season. “I think this will be a fun year,” Snider says. “We lost two of the most prominent players in the conference, so we will be counting on our youth this season. We are more athletic than we have been in years. I think we can wear teams down with our physical play, too.”
Snider’s two senior captains, outside hitter Lyndsay Buckingham (Issaquah, Wash.; Skyline HS) and middle blocker Laura Williams (Eugene, Ore.; Churchill HS), anchor the young squad. “I look forward to their leadership,” Snider says.
“Lyndsay is an outstanding ball control player and very positive on the court. She gives all she has in terms of effort and attitude. Laura has a very strong mental game and has been a strong contributor blocking and at the service line. These two will set the tone for the team.”
The Missionaries also feel secure about returning setter Kate Borsato (White Rock, B.C.; Semiahmoo HS). Borsato, the only freshman named to last season’s All-NWC Team, averaged 11.61 assists in conference matches -- the second highest average in the NWC.
“Kate was an outstanding setter as a freshman,” Snider says. “She is still getting better. Kate has tremendous ability, and she plays hard and smart. She will be a key leader for this year’s team.”
Whitman’s other key returnees are all sophomores: outside hitter Natalie Kramer (Vallecito, Calif.; Bret Harte HS), middle blocker Emily Seider (Eugene, Ore., South Eugene HS), middle blocker Erin Pounds (Spokane, Wash.; Ferris HS), setter/defensive specialist Annie Kuvinka (Wilson, Wyo.; Jackson Hole HS) and outside hitter Karna Williams (Petersburg, Alaska; Petersburg HS).
Seider played in every match of her first season and managed 90 kills. “Emily started on the right side as a freshman,” Snider says. “She is a skilled player and a positive influence.”
Neither Kramer nor Pounds played much in 2003, but Snider expects each to play a more prominent role this fall. “Natalie did not play much last year, but she is a very powerful attacker and a strong ball control player,” he said. “Her athleticism will turn some heads this season. Erin is showing steady improvement. She has been working hard to develop more power in her game and could be a versatile player for us.”
A back-up setter a year ago, Kuvinka will fill the same role this fall, and probably mix in as a defensive specialist, as well.
Whitman’s newcomers include a handful of players that have their coach abuzz. “We have added some really good talent to a strong returning core,” he says. “We should have a more balanced attack and should be much more physical than in the past. This will be a young team, so I expect there will be much improvement as the season progresses.”
At the heart of Snider’s recruiting class is Leslie Compean (Everett, Wash.; Cascade HS), a 6-foot middle blocker in high school who is making the transition to outside hitter. “Leslie is a big kid, really physical and strong,” Snider says. As a senior at Cascade, Compean was team captain and made the All-Wesco Class 4A First Team as a middle blocker.
Snider’s other top recruits are outside hitters Lydia Hayes (Boise, Idaho; Bishop Kelly HS) and Kaelyn Merkel (Anacortes, Wash.; Anacortes HS) and middle blocker Christine Irvine (Lake Oswego, Ore.; Lakeridge HS).
“Lydia should find her way onto the right side,” Snider says. “She has a great arm-swing and can hit with power and control. Look for her to make an immediate impact.
“Christine is a strong athlete and skilled player,” he says. “She comes with good experience.”
“Kaelyn is a super athlete. She is very mobile and is a powerful jumper.”
Merkel also played in recent years on the Mount Baker club team with Whitman setter Kate Borsato. “Kaelyn and Kate are friends already, so they should have a good connection right off the bat,” Snider says.
Other newcomers to the squad include Laura Chapman (Bellevue, Wash.; Newport HS), Margaret Clark (Portland, Ore.; Oregon Episcopal School), Hayley Hillman (Olympia, Wash.; Deerfield (Mass.) Academy), and Kristen Marshall (Reno, Nev.; Reno HS).
Whitman opens its season on Wednesday, Sept. 1, with a 7 p.m. home match against Eastern Oregon University. The Missionaries then travel to Salem, Ore., for the Willamette Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 3-4. The tourney opposition includes Cal State Hayward, ranked No. 11 in the AVCA preseason coaches poll, and the host Bearcats, who are ranked 30th in the national preseason poll.
“The tournament in Salem will be a tough start to the season,” Snider says. “There will be plenty of quality competition, but I’m excited to see what we can do. Everyone buys into the program this year, and we all want to win.”
Whitman’s non-league slate also includes a Sept. 10-11 trip to the University of California-Santa Cruz Slugfest Invitational. The Missionaries open NWC action on the road against last year’s conference champion, Linfield College, Sept. 17.