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WCC Coaches Pick Women's Volleyball Seventh
Aug. 18, 2008
SAN BRUNO, Calif.– The Gonzaga University women’s volleyball team has been selected to finish seventh in the West Coast Conference for the 2008 season according to a preseason vote of the league’s head coaches. The University of San Diego was selected as the preseason favorite to take home WCC regular season title, narrowly edging out Pepperdine University and Santa Clara University. The Bulldogs received 18 votes in this year’s preseason poll. Gonzaga lost four senior starters off a team that went 17-13 overall, 5-9 in the WCC a year ago. Seventh-year head coach Kip Yoshimura welcomes back three starters and nine letterwinners, including senior middle blocker Elaina Renius, who ranked second on last year’s team in kills (329) and hitting percentage (.297). Other starters returning are right side hitter Layne Brosky and outside hitter Michelle Boevers. The Toreros, who shared the 2007 WCC crown with Santa Clara, received three first place votes for a total of 56 points. This marks just the second time since the 2000 season that San Diego has been selected as the WCC preseason favorite. Following close behind the Toreros in the voting was Pepperdine, which totaled 55 points and also received three first place votes, and Santa Clara, which totaled 53 points and garnered one first place vote. Rounding out the top half of the poll was Saint Mary’s College and the University of San Francisco, both of which tallied 34 points with the Gaels receiving the last first place vote. Loyola Marymount University was tabbed sixth with 29 points, followed by Gonzaga, and the University of Portland with nine points.
The Waves will be returning five starters and eight letterwinners from last year’s team. Notable returners include 2007 All-WCC first team members Kiah Fiers, who was second in the league in assists per game (12.82), and Julie Rubenstein, who was fourth in the league in kills (476). Not far behind the Waves are the Broncos, who return five starters and 10 letterwinners from last season. Top contributors for the upcoming season are expected to be Krista Kelley, who was named Co-Freshman of the Year and an All-WCC first team pick last season. The Dons welcome back five starters and nine letterwinners from last year’s squad that posted a 17-13 overall record. Most notable of the returning players is Haley Carroll, the 2007 WCC Defensive Player of the Year and an All-WCC First Team selection, who led the league in digs (522). Saint Mary’s will field the most experienced team in the conference as the Gaels return all six starters and 12 letterwinners overall. Headlining the list of returners is Megan York, who earned Co-Freshman of the Year honors and was named to All-WCC first team last season. The Lions will be returning four starters and eight letterwinners, including All-WCC freshman team members Renee Horton, who was second in the conference in assists (1,318), and Whitney Leonard, who was third in the conference in dig average (4.53). The Pilots, who will be looking to improve upon last year with new head coach Joe Houck, return five starters and 10 letterwinners, including Jessica Clemens, who was tied for second in the league in ace average (.36). Women’s Volleyball 2008 Preseason Poll (First place votes) |
