The Whitworth volleyball team earned a handful of impressive victories last season, but inexperience and some inconsistency led to a 14-14 final overall record. But if the youthful indiscretions of last year turn into the maturity of this year, 2009 could be a very good season for the Pirates.
“Many of our key players were freshmen last season and they played substantial amounts of time,” said Whitworth head coach Steve Rupe (156-106 in 10 seasons leading the Pirates). “That experience will be crucial to our development into a conference contender.” Whitworth returns four starters from last fall, three of whom were freshmen. Their maturity from freshmen to sophomores should allow Rupe to expand the team’s style of play in 2009. “We plan on becoming a more aggressive team and run a faster, more complicated option offense,” said Rupe. Much of the attack will be run through Kaimi Rocha (So., Pukalani, Hawaii), who earned First Team All-Northwest Conference honors as a freshman in 2008. Rocha led the team in total kills and kills per game, plus was strong defensively as one of the team’s leaders in digs. She will start at one outside hitter spot. The other spot is open. Senior Morgan Veleke (Kennewick, Wash.) has a year’s worth of experience in the program. Brynn Delong (Jr., Spokane, Wash.) started last season for the Community Colleges of Spokane. Freshman Amber Hall (Redding, Calif.) will give the Pirates depth at the position.
Ka’ipo Rocha (So., Pukalani, Hawaii) returns as one of two starters at middle blocker. She was an honorable mention All-NWC selection last season after finishing second on the team in both blocking average and hitting percentage. The second starting middle blocker position figures to be a battle between Randi Stephens (Jr., Bozeman, Mont.) and Kathy Taylor (So., Kent, Wash.). Stephens has one more year of experience, but Taylor is the Bucs’ tallest player (6’-0”). Christina Webb (Fr., Spokane, Wash.) will work as both a middle blocker and right side hitter. Tracy Schwada (Sr., Whitefish, Mont.) returns as the starting right side hitter. She has posted solid numbers in her two seasons as a part-time starter. Alex Bolduc (So., Pukalani, Hawaii) played in 14 matches off of the bench and could push for more playing time this year. The setter position is up for grabs between a pair of players who split time as the starter last fall. Sophomores Bree Riddle (Spokane, Wash.) and Jordan Hoffnagle (Spokane, Wash.) shared duties while Whitworth ran a two-setter offense in 2008. But as Rupe plans to ramp up the tempo of attack in 2009, he also plans to play a 5-1 (one-setter) offense and those two will battle for the starting role. Haley Owens (So., Deer Lodge, Mont.) gives Whitworth depth in the position.
The libero is Whitworth’s final starting spot to fill. Ariana Obert (So., Deer Park, Wash.) played in four matches last season. Whitney Santos (Fr., Wailuki, Hawaii) may also see time in the lineup as libero. “If we can make the pieces fit together and implement the style of play that we want, we will be able to wear down other teams over the course of a match and control tempo,” said Rupe. “And we will be a team that is fun and exciting to watch.” Whitworth will open the 2009 season with three non-conference matches at home, followed by tournaments at Colorado College and Cal Lutheran. The Northwest Conference will be tough and much improved in 2009. Not only do preseason favorites Pacific Lutheran and Puget Sound return most of their starters from 2008, but every member of the 2008 All-NWC First Team is returning to play in 2009. |
