Even when they are expected, growing pains can be difficult. After consecutive Northwest Conference titles and trips to the NCAA Division III volleyball tournament in 2001 and 2002, the Whitworth College volleyball team knew there were going to be growing pains in 2003. After all, the Pirates had only one upperclassman on the roster and no seniors. The entire starting six and the libero had graduated from the 2002 team. So the team struggled through ups and downs to a 10-18 overall record and a 4-12 mark in the difficult Northwest Conference.

But sixth-year head coach Steve Rupe believes that the pains of 2003 will bear fruit in 2004.

"With all of our key players back, plus a strong incoming class, we should be stronger and deeper at every position," he said.

The mix of experience and incoming talent should give Rupe more options in 2004.

"We will be able to display more offensive power this year," said Rupe. "On defense we should be considerably faster and will be able to keep the ball in play longer."

The team will be directed by returning setter Bekah Hornor (5-9, Jr., Spokane, Wash. - Mead HS). Hornor displayed the kind of talent that could make her the premier setter in the conference after averaging 9.75 assists and 1.6 kills per game in 2003. Taryn Smith (5-3, Fr., Ellensburg, Wash. - Ellensburg HS) will provide back-up this season.

The Pirates will also be very strong in the middle. Katy Schrader (5-11, Sr., Spokane, Wash. - Shadle Park HS) will be Whitworth's only senior and returns after earning honorable mention All-Northwest Conference in 2003 when she led the team in blocks (0.83 per game) and added 2.6 kills per game. She will be joined by newcomer Natalie Danielson (6-0, Jr., Kennewick, Wash. - CC of Spokane), who was the NWAACC Eastern Division MVP last fall after leading the Sasquatch to the NWAACC title.

Carey Guhlke (5-10, Jr., Davenport, Wash. - Christian Heritage HS) gives the Pirates outstanding depth in the middle after she earned considerable playing time in 2003. Jeri Hedlund (6-0, Fr., Tonasket, Wash. - Tonasket HS) could be a factor this season with her height.

Tamra Stark (5-11, So., San Diego, Calif. - Mt. Carmel HS) could move into a starting position on the right side. She will battle with Chris Nolan (5-11, Fr., Spokane, Wash. - St. George's HS) for playing time.

Angie Florence (5-8, So., Yucaipa, Calif. - Yucaipa HS) was a breakthrough performer for the Pirates last season and will challenge for a starting position at outside hitter again this year. She led the Pirates in kills per game (3.1) and attacks. Also returning at outside hitter is Brittney Bower (5-7, Jr., Onalaska, Wash. - Onalaska HS), who used explosive jumping ability to average over two kills per game last fall.

Julie Marsh (5-10, Jr., Cheney, Wash. - WWU) is a potential wildcard at outside hitter for the Pirates. Marsh earned considerable playing time as a freshman on the 2002 NWC champion Pirate squad before transferring to Western Washington University for her sophomore season. She has returned to the Pirates for this fall.

Holly Coleman (5-8, Jr., Spokane, Wash. - Mt. Spokane HS) and Nicole Vander Meulen (5-8, So., Mt. Vernon, Wash. - Mt. Vernon Christian HS) are a pair of versatile players who provide significant depth at many positions, including outside hitter.

Freshmen Holly Tomlin (Kirkland, Wash. - Bellevue HS) and Danielle Ansotigue (5-8, Auburn, Wash. - Faith Christian HS) will give the Pirates added depth on the outside this season.

Whitney Murphy (5-11, Jr., Spokane, Wash. - Mead HS) is one of the Pirates' most versatile athletes, who will like take on the role of defensive specialist/libero this fall. She averaged nearly three digs per game in 2003. Kirsten Funrue (5-5, So., Silverton, Ore. - Silverton HS) played in seven matches last year. Freshmen Cassie Moore (5-6, Spokane, Wash. - Mead HS) and Monica Chestnut (5-6, Moses Lake, Wash. - Moses Lake HS) are also slotted as potential defensive specialists.

The Pirates will open the season by renewing the Whitworth Invitational on September 3rd and 4th. The Bucs will return to California for the third straight year to play in the Whittier College Invitational the following weekend. Northwest Conference play begins September 17th at Pacific. Pacific Lutheran and Willamette have been tabbed as early favorites for the conference title, according to the NWC preseason coaches' poll. Rupe believes that Whitworth will be ready to not only improve on last year's seventh place finish, but challenge for the conference title as well.

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