Bruins Could Factor in NWC Race with Balance of Vets and Newcomers

The Bruins are coming off a 12-11 campaign that saw them finish fifth in the conference standings at 7-9.

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NEWBERG - Although 2005 was George Fox University’s second winning season in a row and 20th in 24 years under veteran coach Steve Grant, it has been a while since the Bruins played a major role in the Northwest Conference women’s volleyball race.

If the Bruins’ mix of returning veterans and talented newcomers melds together as well as hoped for, however, 2006 could mark a change in that.

With the loss of three starters, including First Team All-NWC hitter Linzi Stolsig and Honorable Mention All-NWC libero Haley Stapleton, the Bruins were relegated to a sixth-place prediction in this fall’s pre-season NWC coaches’ poll.

“That’s not surprising, considering who we lost,” admits Grant. “We are still going to be a relatively-young team this year, with only one senior in eligibility, but I can say without hesitation that it’s been a long time since I have had a group come together as well, chemistry-wise, as this group has. If that carries over into our play on the court, we could surprise a team or two.”

Eight players return for the Bruins, including three starters and a fourth player who was a part of the team’s regular rotation although she was not officially a “starter”: setter Amy Knight (Jr., Yakima, Wash. / A.C. Davis HS), middle blockers Elizabeth Anderson (Jr., Sherwood, Ore. / Westside Christian HS) and Cassandra Woods (Jr., Clatskanie, Ore. / Clatskanie HS), and outside hitter Whitney Kolb (Jr., Jefferson, Ore. / Jefferson Christian HS). Knight led the Northwest Conference in assists per game (12.10), which ranked 20th nationally, and was seventh in the league in digs (3.64). Anderson was fifth in the NWC in blocks per game (1.01) while averaging 2.28 kills, and Woods was ninth in blocks (0.81) along with 2.10 kills a game. Kolb, despite starting only nine games, was fourth in the league in kills per game (3.85).

“The setter position is a key role in anything we do,” says Grant, “and Amy has assumed a role of leadership on this team by virtue of both her age and her position. Elizabeth is a rock in the middle who is constantly striving to improve; she is not satisfied with staying at the same level and works hard on every area of her game, whether it is defensive blocking, serving, or hitting. We may move Cassandra from the middle to right-side hitter, where she seems to have found herself; she is a very strong player who always gives 100%. Whitney had only two years of organized ball before she came here, and her progress has been phenomenal; she has improved on defense and has stepped up to another level offensively. We are looking for big years out of all four of them.”

Karina Philliber (Sr., Battle Ground, Wash. / Bethel HS), the only athletic senior on the squad, averaged 0.9 kills and 1.35 digs a game after transferring from Clark College, a community college in Vancouver, Wash., but will assume a bigger role this season. “She’s a ‘gap-filler’ who will be in there all the time because of her versatility,” predicts Grant. “Outside hitter, libero, defensive specialist - wherever there’s a leak, she’ll plug it.”

Also back for the Bruins but shifting from offensive to defensive roles are Ashlie Keimig (So., The Dalles, Ore. / The Dalles-Wahtonka HS) and Ashley Sheller (So., Gresham, Ore. / Sam Barlow HS). Keimig averaged 0.4 kills and 1.2 digs while Sheller had 1.09 kills and digs in limited action as freshmen. “Keimig has been passing the ball well and is steady in the back row,” notes Grant. “Sheller is also shifting to defense, but she has shown flashes of power on offense and will probably play both for us.”

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise in the pre-season has been the significant improvement shown by returning middle blocker Natalie Pickett (So., Albany, Ore. / West Albany HS), who had 0.57 kills and 0.43 digs in seven matches last season. “She is hitting better, blocking much better, and has the potential to be a dominant force at the net,” says Grant.

Outside hitter Niki McCorkle (Jr., Seattle, Wash. / Seattle Christian HS), an academic senior, returns to the team this year after sitting out the past two seasons. She played for the Bruins in 2003, averaging 1.56 kills and 0.78 digs in 24 matches. “I told Niki she would probably be a role player after playing regularly three years ago,” says Grant, “but she has a good attitude and is working very hard to fill that role. She has shown remarkable improvement despite not playing for two years and gives us depth on offense.”

Grant has two new offensive hitters who are expected to see considerable playing time in Jennifer Panico (Fr., Phoenix, Ariz. / Pinnacle HS) and Sarah Crossfield (Fr., Pomeroy, Wash. / Pomeroy HS). “Jennifer was well-coached in high school and by her club team coach, giving us an extremely solid, dependable outside hitter,” observes Grant. “She hits hard, is smart, and passes like a libero. Sarah has been a pleasant surprise while shifting from the middle to the right side. She hits hard, blocks well, and passes better than anticipated.”

The team’s tallest player is newcomer Holly Hutchinson (Fr., Ephrata, Wash. / Ephrata HS), a 6-1 middle blocker. “Holly has so much potential,” says Grant. “She works extra hard and could quickly become an outstanding blocker and offensive player.”

Rookie setter Lani Rasmussen (Fr., San Jose, Calif. / Valley Christian HS) is called by Grant “a sparkplug who brings others up to her level of enthusiasm for the game. Even as a freshman, she has assumed a leadership role as well. She has a quick release on sets and responds quickly on defense.”

A pair of defensive specialists who will compete for time at libero are Megan Cornelius (Fr., Philomath, Ore. / Philomath HS) and Sarah Burkey (Fr., Albany, Ore. / South Albany HS). “These two are similar to one another in that they are conscientious, hard workers with good hands and passing skills. Megan participated in a swimming program this summer that has made her that much stronger. Sarah is a scrappy player and encourager who plays with great enthusiasm.”

Rounding out the roster is Jennifer Ayers (So., Jefferson, Ore. / Jefferson HS), a transfer from Portland Community College. “Jennifer is our ‘16th’ player who will play if we have an injury,” says Grant, “but she is so full of potential that we wanted to keep her around. She has long arms and legs and a great reach, enabling her to play ‘taller’ than she actually is. She is working on her defense and is going to be very good offensively.”

Grant enters his 25th season at George Fox with a record of 507-314, ranking 18th among active NCAA Division III coaches in victories, but he won’t make any predictions as to how many more wins the Bruins might add to his total this season. “Attitude impacts play, and if that is true, we should do well,” is as far as he will go. “All our players have a ‘same-page’ mentality, they enjoy one another and have quickly developed a strong bond of unity. We have one of our toughest schedules ever, so we must set realistic goals if we are to take a sense of accomplishment from this season, but I am confident that this group will truly make memories for one another.”

The season begins for the Bruins this Friday-Saturday, Sept. 1st-2nd, in the University of Puget Sound Invitational Tournament in Tacoma, Wash. On Friday, George Fox plays Whitman College at 11 AM and Pacific Lutheran University at 5 PM, followed Saturday by Puget Sound at 11 AM and the State University of New York-Brockport at 3 PM Northwest Conference play begins on Sept. 13th at Lewis & Clark College, with the Bruins’ home opener on Sept. 15th in a conference match against Puget Sound at 7 PM in the Wheeler Sports Center’s Miller Gym

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