2008 Woodie Awards
Volleyball moving forward
HSU Sports Information
Issue date: 8/22/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
With a core group of returners and one year of California Collegiate Athletic Association play under its belt, the 2007 Lumberjack volleyball squad is prepared to take another step forward this fall.
"I think we were a little shell-shocked last year because the CCAA, as a whole, is much stronger than the GNAC," said first-year interim head coach James Kealalio. "Our system has stayed the same but we now know that we need to play consistently at a higher level."
Kealalio has stepped in to lead the Lumberjacks while head coach Sue Woodstra serves as an assistant coach to the U.S. Women's Volleyball National Team through the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. Jessica Murray, a star outside hitter for HSU from 2001-04, has come on board as the Jacks' assistant coach.
Despite the coaching changes, this year's team, which features nine returning letterwinners and a trio of newcomers, is quickly gelling together and finding its team chemistry.
"It's been a lot easier with a smaller number of newcomers," said Kealalio. "Last year we were working six new players into the system and this year we have just three."
Senior leadership is key for the 'Jacks squad, and leading the way are outside hitters Katie Norkunas and Olivia Solomon.
Norkunas, a 5-8 native of Milwaukie, Ore., has led the Lumberjacks in kills per game for the past two seasons and will once again be a go-to offensive threat this season.
"Katie is an aggressive, high-intensity player who is always working hard," Kealalio said of the team's lone four-year senior.
Solomon, a 5-9 native of Kelseyville, worked her way into the rotation last season, averaging 2.33 kills per game, after transferring in from Santa Rosa Junior College.
"Olivia is athletic and can hit the ball really hard," said Kealalio. "She is more comfortable with our system this year and is becoming a smarter player because of it."
Two others players seeking time at the outside hitter position are 5-11 sophomore Marissa Galletly and 5-9 freshman Poerava Gantt.
After spending a year away from the court, Galletly saw action in just one game in 2006.
"Marissa trained hard all off-season and has come back in great shape this fall," said Kealalio.
Gantt hails from Kapaa High School in Kapaa, Hawaii where she was a three-time Kauai Interscholastic Federation all-star selection and a two-time Hawaiian High School Athletic Association all-state honorable mention selection.
"Skills-wise, Poe is right where she needs to be," Kealalio said. "She still needs to learn the system and become comfortable playing at the collegiate level."
On the right side, 6'-1" junior Mallory Briney and 6'-0" junior Lynsey Adams are currently fighting for the starting position, though both should see ample court time.
Briney averaged 1.78 kills per game in 2006 and is the Lumberjacks' top returning blocker, collecting 10 solo blocks and 60 block assists a year ago.
Adams also had a strong sophomore season, averaging 1.86 kills per game along with 0.53 blocks per game.
"Mal has gotten stronger and improved her hitting in the off-season," said Kealalio. "Her defense and big block will be a key factor for us this season.
"Lynsey has a very strong arm and has also been working on a jump serve. She has increased her confidence level this season and should make a major contribution on the right side."
In the middle, the 'Jacks lost senior Kristen Kinzer to graduation, but have three returners with ample experience in 5'-10" senior Megahn Berndt, 5-10 sophomore Danielle Wells, and 6'-0" sophomore Toni Kroeker.
"Our three middles are pretty good," said Kealalio. "Danielle and Meg shared court time last year and that experience has really helped them."
Berndt averaged 1.19 kills and 0.71 blocks per game in 2006 while Wells contributed 1.28 kills and 0.91 blocks per game, including a team-high 11 solos.
"Meg has the most experience and her confidence makes her stand out." Kealalio said, "Danielle got a lot of valuable experience last year and has become a smarter player. She understands the system, is in good shape and is ready to go."
Kroeker saw limited action in 2006, but has returned ready to go in 2007.
"Toni is in good shape and her hitting and timing have really improved," said Kealalio. "Her block is also going to be huge for us."
Perhaps one of the biggest holes to fill will be at the libero position where Maya Domoto held down the fort for the past three years. With Domoto, who holds three of the top four single-season dig totals in HSU's record book, as well as the career record, gone to graduation, senior transfer Kelly Catherina and redshirt-freshman Emily Nuss are vying for the starting defensive position.
Catherina, a 5'-6" transfer from Vanguard University, averaged 2.22 digs per game and a .927 reception percentage for the Lions in 2006. The Mariposa native also attended Santa Rosa Junior College prior to her year at VU where she was a teammate of Solomon and Berndt.
"Kelly joined the team in the spring, so she got a jumpstart on working out with the team," said Kealalio. "She has good ball control and sets the ball well. Her aggressive play will give us a lot of second chance opportunities."
Nuss, who redshirted the 2006 season, was a two-time all-league selection at Tokay High School.
"Emily has gotten a lot stronger and her serve-receive is steadily improving," said Kealalio of the 5'-6" defensive specialist. "She is becoming more comfortable playing at this level and we expect good things out of her."
At the setter position, 5'-6" junior Liz Shannon returns for a third season while 5'-7" freshman Joliann Arzadon will also be vying for court time.
Shannon averaged 5.01 assists per game as a sophomore playing in the Lumberjacks' 6-2 rotation, but will be looked upon for further leadership in 2007 as Kealalio expects to run a 5-1 rotation.
"Liz has been working hard to improve herself and the team," said Kealalio. "She is becoming more vocal and is getting the team to gel together offensively. She is comfortable with the hitters and vice versa which is invaluable to the team's chemistry."
Arzadon, like Gantt, hails from Kapaa High School in Kapaa, Hawaii where she was a three-time Kauai Interscholastic Federation all-star and a two-time Hawaiian High School Athletic Association all-state honorable mention selection.
"Jo is a strong, athletic setter with good movement and good hands," Kealalio said. "Once she gets used to the team and the level of play she will make a solid contribution to the team."
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"I think we were a little shell-shocked last year because the CCAA, as a whole, is much stronger than the GNAC," said first-year interim head coach James Kealalio. "Our system has stayed the same but we now know that we need to play consistently at a higher level."
Kealalio has stepped in to lead the Lumberjacks while head coach Sue Woodstra serves as an assistant coach to the U.S. Women's Volleyball National Team through the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. Jessica Murray, a star outside hitter for HSU from 2001-04, has come on board as the Jacks' assistant coach.
Despite the coaching changes, this year's team, which features nine returning letterwinners and a trio of newcomers, is quickly gelling together and finding its team chemistry.
"It's been a lot easier with a smaller number of newcomers," said Kealalio. "Last year we were working six new players into the system and this year we have just three."
Senior leadership is key for the 'Jacks squad, and leading the way are outside hitters Katie Norkunas and Olivia Solomon.
Norkunas, a 5-8 native of Milwaukie, Ore., has led the Lumberjacks in kills per game for the past two seasons and will once again be a go-to offensive threat this season.
"Katie is an aggressive, high-intensity player who is always working hard," Kealalio said of the team's lone four-year senior.
Solomon, a 5-9 native of Kelseyville, worked her way into the rotation last season, averaging 2.33 kills per game, after transferring in from Santa Rosa Junior College.
"Olivia is athletic and can hit the ball really hard," said Kealalio. "She is more comfortable with our system this year and is becoming a smarter player because of it."
Two others players seeking time at the outside hitter position are 5-11 sophomore Marissa Galletly and 5-9 freshman Poerava Gantt.
After spending a year away from the court, Galletly saw action in just one game in 2006.
"Marissa trained hard all off-season and has come back in great shape this fall," said Kealalio.
Gantt hails from Kapaa High School in Kapaa, Hawaii where she was a three-time Kauai Interscholastic Federation all-star selection and a two-time Hawaiian High School Athletic Association all-state honorable mention selection.
"Skills-wise, Poe is right where she needs to be," Kealalio said. "She still needs to learn the system and become comfortable playing at the collegiate level."
On the right side, 6'-1" junior Mallory Briney and 6'-0" junior Lynsey Adams are currently fighting for the starting position, though both should see ample court time.
Briney averaged 1.78 kills per game in 2006 and is the Lumberjacks' top returning blocker, collecting 10 solo blocks and 60 block assists a year ago.
Adams also had a strong sophomore season, averaging 1.86 kills per game along with 0.53 blocks per game.
"Mal has gotten stronger and improved her hitting in the off-season," said Kealalio. "Her defense and big block will be a key factor for us this season.
"Lynsey has a very strong arm and has also been working on a jump serve. She has increased her confidence level this season and should make a major contribution on the right side."
In the middle, the 'Jacks lost senior Kristen Kinzer to graduation, but have three returners with ample experience in 5'-10" senior Megahn Berndt, 5-10 sophomore Danielle Wells, and 6'-0" sophomore Toni Kroeker.
"Our three middles are pretty good," said Kealalio. "Danielle and Meg shared court time last year and that experience has really helped them."
Berndt averaged 1.19 kills and 0.71 blocks per game in 2006 while Wells contributed 1.28 kills and 0.91 blocks per game, including a team-high 11 solos.
"Meg has the most experience and her confidence makes her stand out." Kealalio said, "Danielle got a lot of valuable experience last year and has become a smarter player. She understands the system, is in good shape and is ready to go."
Kroeker saw limited action in 2006, but has returned ready to go in 2007.
"Toni is in good shape and her hitting and timing have really improved," said Kealalio. "Her block is also going to be huge for us."
Perhaps one of the biggest holes to fill will be at the libero position where Maya Domoto held down the fort for the past three years. With Domoto, who holds three of the top four single-season dig totals in HSU's record book, as well as the career record, gone to graduation, senior transfer Kelly Catherina and redshirt-freshman Emily Nuss are vying for the starting defensive position.
Catherina, a 5'-6" transfer from Vanguard University, averaged 2.22 digs per game and a .927 reception percentage for the Lions in 2006. The Mariposa native also attended Santa Rosa Junior College prior to her year at VU where she was a teammate of Solomon and Berndt.
"Kelly joined the team in the spring, so she got a jumpstart on working out with the team," said Kealalio. "She has good ball control and sets the ball well. Her aggressive play will give us a lot of second chance opportunities."
Nuss, who redshirted the 2006 season, was a two-time all-league selection at Tokay High School.
"Emily has gotten a lot stronger and her serve-receive is steadily improving," said Kealalio of the 5'-6" defensive specialist. "She is becoming more comfortable playing at this level and we expect good things out of her."
At the setter position, 5'-6" junior Liz Shannon returns for a third season while 5'-7" freshman Joliann Arzadon will also be vying for court time.
Shannon averaged 5.01 assists per game as a sophomore playing in the Lumberjacks' 6-2 rotation, but will be looked upon for further leadership in 2007 as Kealalio expects to run a 5-1 rotation.
"Liz has been working hard to improve herself and the team," said Kealalio. "She is becoming more vocal and is getting the team to gel together offensively. She is comfortable with the hitters and vice versa which is invaluable to the team's chemistry."
Arzadon, like Gantt, hails from Kapaa High School in Kapaa, Hawaii where she was a three-time Kauai Interscholastic Federation all-star and a two-time Hawaiian High School Athletic Association all-state honorable mention selection.
"Jo is a strong, athletic setter with good movement and good hands," Kealalio said. "Once she gets used to the team and the level of play she will make a solid contribution to the team."
LINKS
HSU Athletics
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