WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Carolyn Papineau may be embarking on her first season as the women’s volleyball coach at Whitman College, but starting from scratch she is not.
"We have a lot of talent and experience returning with this group," Papineau says. "We also have several players who have good leadership abilities. From top to bottom, this is a strong team."
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Whitman returns four seniors, two juniors and a sophomore from a team last fall that posted a solid 14-10 record, which included a 10-6 mark and fourth-place finish in the Northwest Conference.
Had it not been for a string of tough five-set losses, the Missionaries might have finished much higher in the final 2006 standings. Whitman won three of its first four conference matches but then lost four straight decisions, three by 3-2 margins, to drop from title contention. But there was no quit in the Missionaries, who helped outgoing coach Dean Snider wrap up his coaching career with victories in eight of his last nine matches.
Snider, now the full-time athletic director at Whitman, turned over the volleyball program to Papineau, a former University of Washington player with coaching experience at the college, club and high school ranks.
Papineau has nothing but praise for the way her players have handled the coaching transition. "The seniors in particular have stepped up in a big way to make the transition easier for all of us," she says. "This team is doing a great job in terms of rising to the challenge of having a new coach and embracing our new systems of play.
"All of the players have been very enthusiastic and positive. They are dedicated and committed to doing the work we need to do. With every day that we get better, the players get a better understanding of how far our potential can take us. Our goal is to win the conference title."
Papineau has two holes to fill in her line-up, given the graduation of four-year starters Kate Borsato, an all-conference setter, and Emily Seider, a middle blocker whose .325 hitting percentage was the second-best mark in the NWC.
Kristan Brown, a 5-foot-9 junior and Borsato’s backup the past two seasons, hasn’t missed a beat in sliding into the primary setter’s role. "Kristan looks like she’s been in that role for years," Papineau says. "She’s smart, competitive and understands the game. She takes control of the offense, sets the tone for effort and focus, and has good leadership skills."
Brown, pegged as one of the team captains this fall, made the most of her limited setting opportunities a year ago. Her 56 assists in a four-game victory over Willamette was the highest number of assists in the NWC last season in a four-game match.
To replace Seider, Papineau is moving 5-foot-10 senior Lydia Hayes from the outside to the middle. "Lydia has some great volleyball skills, and she’s one of the players leading the charge in terms of adapting to new roles and a new style of play. For someone who hasn’t played in the middle, she looks very natural there. She has the quickness and movement we need in the middle, and she’s a good blocker."
Hayes, who earned all-conference honorable mention honors as a sophomore, has been one of the NWC leaders in kills over the past two years. Her three-season total stands at 837 kills. She also led her teammates in service aces last fall with 41.
Hayes joins Rosa Brey, a dynamic 5-foot-10 junior, to give the Missionaries a potent one-two punch in the middle. Brey, serving her second season as a captain, led Whitman in total kills in 2006 while averaging 1.04 blocks per game, which ranked her second in the NWC in that statistical category. She twice earned NWC Player of the Week honors, and she was named to the All-NWC Second Team – the only sophomore or first-year player to make either of the first two conference squads.
"We’re going to stretch the offense, which will create plenty of opportunities for both Lydia and Rosa," Papineau says. "Rosa will have more options and a little more freedom on offense than she’s had in the past. She plays much bigger than she is, and we want to utilize her athleticism as much as we can. There are no limits to what Rosa can do in her final two seasons."
Leslie Compean, a 6-foot senior, remains one of the top Missionary threats on the outside. She led Whitman in kills in her first season, earned All-NWC honorable mention recognition as a junior, and has amassed 752 career kills.
"Leslie is doing a great job of adapting to new skills that should make better use of her height and strength," Papineau says. "She’s one of our top players, and she’s also a wonderful influence on her teammates. She keeps everyone positive."
Kaelyn Merkel, a 5-foot-7 senior, sees most of her court time as a defensive specialist. "Merk has strong passing and ball-control skills," Papineau says. "She also has a great attitude and provides lots of energy and leadership on the court."
Merkel led the Missionaries in digs as a sophomore, averaging 3.15 per game, when she filled the libero’s role. She has a team-high 518 digs over the past two seasons.
Meg Clark, a 5-foot-8 senior, gives Whitman more depth on defense. "Meg will challenge for time in the back court with her ball-control and serve-receive skills," Papineau says. "She also gives us another solid presence on the court, and her work ethic is great."
Alex Graves, Whitman’s only sophomore, made an immediate impact and is primed for a more prominent role this season, Papineau says. Graves, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter, averaged 2.96 digs and 2.04 kills in her first year, and she contributed 37 service aces.
"Alex will have a different role as our main go-to player at outside hitter," Papineau says. "She’s very consistent on the outside, and her passing and ball-control skills are very strong. She’s also a great competitor."
Whitman’s offensive options will be many, Papineau says. "We’re working very hard right now on our serve-receive game, and that’s where our most significant improvement is going to be. That will allow us to run a much quicker offense, and we certainly have the athletes to do that."
A handful of first-year players, led by 5-5 libero Kelsie Butts (Kennewick, Wash.; Southridge HS) and 5-foot-7 outside hitter Katie Richards (Indianola, Wash.; North Kitsap HS), round out the Missionary roster.
"Kelsie had a very good high school career as a libero," Papineau says. "I look forward to having her here for four years. She’s having to learn a whole new system, but we’re going to see great things from her."
"Katie is a very good athlete who can challenge for time all over the court," Papineau adds. "She’s been setting a little bit, and as a lefty, she’s shown a good feel for the right side. I’ve wondered if there’s anything she can’t do."
Rounding out the first-year class are Emily Nickels (Seattle, Wash.; Roosevelt HS) , a 5-foot-9 outside hitter; Caitlin Petruska (Littleton, Colo.; D'Evelyn HS) , a 5-foot-8 middle blocker and outside hitter; and Natalie Doughty (Mount Vernon, Wash.; Burlington-Edison HS), a 5-foot-6 defensive specialist.
"Emily has a solid set of skills and she’s going to be a definite contributor as she matures as a player," Papineau says. "Caitlin is athletic and very quick, and she keeps improving with each practice. Natalie, who adds maturity and great effort to the back row, will help us defensively."
"Whitman opens its season on Friday, Aug. 31, and Saturday, Sept. 1, with four matches against NCAA Div. III teams at the Las Vegas Blast Tournament. One of those matches will be against NWC rival Whitworth University.
After a second tournament at Colorado College on Sept. 7-8, Whitman begins conference play at home with matches against George Fox and Pacific on Sept. 14-15.
Dave Holden, Whitman Sports Information,
(509) 527-5902; holden@whitman.edu