The Whitworth College volleyball team hopes that experience makes the difference between a good season and a great one in 2005. With five starters and the top two liberos back from 2004, the Pirates believe they can
improve on last year’s 19-5 overall record and the 12-4 mark in the Northwest Conference. The team wants to return to the top of the NWC standings, a position it last held in 2001 and 2002. In two of the four NWC losses last year, the Bucs were serving for the match in the fifth game. In one other loss, to eventual champion PLU, Whitworth served three times to send the match to a fifth game. "Experience will be the biggest key for us, and motivation as well," said Whitworth Head Coach Steve Rupe, who is 102-54 in his first six seasons leading the Pirates. "Losing those three matches in the way we did last year did not sit well with us and we will not let those wins slip away again this year." First Team All-Northwest Conference hitter Julie Marsh (5-10, Sr., Cheney, Wash. - Cheney HS) will lead a talented set of hitters. She topped the Pirates in kills and digs last season, averaging 3.58 kills and 4.31 digs per game. Brittney Bower (5-7, Sr., Onalaska, Wash. - Onalaska HS) is the returning starter at the other outside position.
She averaged 2.63 kills in 2004. Angie Florence (5-8, Jr., Yucaipa, Calif. - Yucaipa HS) was a starter as a freshman, but an injury cost her eight matches last year. She will challenge to regain her position in 2005. Jill Solbrack (5-7, Fr., Colfax, Wash. - Colfax HS) will provide back up. Whitney Murphy (5-11, Sr., Spokane, Wash. - Mead HS) returns as the starting right side hitter. She contributed 1.01 kills and 2.77 digs per game in 2005. Nicole Vander Meulen (5-8, Jr., Mt. Vernon, Wash. - Mt. Vernon Christian HS) and Tamra Stark (5-11, Jr., San Diego, Calif. - Mt. Carmel HS) will challenge for playing time behind Murphy. Natalie Danielson (5-10, Sr., Kennewick, Wash. - CC of Spokane) returns to start at one middle position after earning Second Team All-NWC honors in her first season with the Pirates in 2004. She led the Bucs in hitting percentage (.284) and was second in blocks (0.88) last fall. Carey Guhlke (5-10, Sr., Davenport, Wash. - Christian Heritage HS) will likely move into the other starting spot after appearing in 17 matches a year ago. She will be challenged by Jeri Hedlund (5-11, So., Tonasket, Wash. - Tonasket HS) and Amy Newton (5-10, So., Upland, Calif. - Ontario Christian HS).
Returning to run the show for her third season as the starting setter is Rebekah Hornor (5-9, Sr., Spokane, Wash. - Mead HS). Horner earned Second Team All-NWC honors last season after dishing 11.24 assists per game. She also added 1.73 kills and 3.05 digs per game. Newcomer Ame Powell (5-8, Fr., Spokane, Wash. - Mt. Spokane HS) comes to Whitworth after redshirting her first year at Northwest Nazarene University. Holly Coleman (5-8, Sr., Spokane, Wash. - Mt. Spokane HS) and Cassie Moore (5-6, So., Spokane, Wash. - Mead HS) both played in all 24 matches last season, mostly as the Pirates’ libero. They each saw some action at outside hitter as well. Taryn Smith (5-2, So., Ellensburg, Wash. - Ellensburg HS) played in 11 matches and gives the Bucs solid depth at libero. She can also set, if necessary. Bethany Castilla (5-3, Fr., Kennewick, Wash. - Kamiakin HS) will give the Bucs another player in the back row. Whitworth will be tested early in 2005. The Pirates begin at the Washington University Open in St. Louis. Washington University finished as the 2004 NCAA Division III runner up. Two matches against Lewis-Clark State of the NAIA and a non-conference match-up at University of Puget Sound round out the non-conference schedule. Whitworth opens the NWC slate on September 16 and 17 at George Fox and Linfield. Whitworth and defending conference champion Pacific Lutheran tied for first in the 2005 preseason poll of conference coaches, with the Pirates getting four first place votes to three for the Lutes. |
