Fresno State Athletics
A New Era Begins Now
8/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 21, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - New coaches. New philosophy. New attitude. It's a new season for the Fresno State volleyball team and new head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell likes the change she has seen in her team in just a short time. When you come to a Fresno State match in the 2008 season at the Save Mart Center, you will find some familiar names on the roster but the overall face of the team has changed.
Netherby-Sewell took over the program in April that struggled in 2007 and after just two short weeks with the team saw them win three matches at the Sacramento State spring tournament. The student-athletes and coaches know that adjusting to new and accepting change isn't always easy but have proved that the 2008 season will bring mystery and excitement in what they are calling, "A New Era."
The Bulldogs lost seniors Alisha McKee, Tiffany Hess and Angela Wiggins but added freshman Brianna Clarke and Baylee Platt to the lineup. This team will lack seniors but be led by five matured juniors, team block leader Kelly Leonardo, the 2006 WAC Freshman of the Year Lacey Gera and libero Lisa Gera.
Setters
Two strong setters return to the team in sophomore Kasey Van Grouw and redshirt-junior Allanah Munson.
"Our quarterback position will be a tireless battle for a starting role," added Netherby-Sewell. "We have two true setters with very different backgrounds and very different demeanors. Both had a strong spring and proved to be great competitors." Munson redshirted in 2007 after transferring from cross-town NAIA powerhouse Fresno Pacific. She was named the teams most inspirational last season and looks to bring that leadership to the floor.
"Allanah has a fantastic relationship with her team and staff," said Netherby-Sewell. "She's a tireless worker that I expect to be one of our fittest athletes in fall camp. She brings an aura of leadership and stability to the position that this developing team needs."
Van Grouw started as a back-up to senior Tiffany Hess and quickly proved that she deserved a starting position. Then head coach Ruben Nieves used a two-setter offense that gave Van Grouw game experience. Appearing in 69 sets as a freshman, Van Grouw had 440 assists (6.38 per game) that ranked her in the top five in the Fresno State freshman record books. She looks to increase those numbers and step up as a vocal leader on the floor after one year of Division I experience under her belt.
"Kasey has an innate flow to her setting," Netherby-Sewell said. "She runs a quick game and has great size for our front-row defensive game. Kasey is very even keeled and will keep the flow consistent in intense matches."
Outside Hitters
Along with Lacey Gera, All-WAC freshman performer Tairyn Rasmussen and Lexi Watson the Bulldogs will welcome freshman Platt and 2007 redshirt Sukhjit Athwal to an already experienced offensive attack group. The Bulldogs graduated seniors Alisha McKee and Angela Wiggins at this position but believe that the talent returning will make it tough for opponents to defend their Bulldog attack.
"With a very similar team returning from last year, I made some position changes to strengthen our charge on offense," added Netherby-Sewell. "We now have the potential for a line that can play a mobile and powerful game at the net. I expect consistency, consistency and more consistency from this position in 2008."
There were high expectations for Lacey Gera entering the 2007 season after a stellar freshman campaign, but injuries limited her play. Gera trained hard in the spring and has worked to get back to the form she was at in 2006. Expect Gera to be even more dominating on the attack and increase her 2.22 kills per game average.
"In week one of my spring training with the team, I moved Lacey to the outside," said Netherby-Sewell. "She has the size and power to compete with the best in our conference. Hard work was done to gain consistency and strength for sustainability in that role. I expect her to be our most imposing force at the net."
Rasmussen proved herself to the WAC as a freshman and looks to continue to improve and be a strong force for the Bulldogs. She was second on the team last season with 2.32 kills per game.
"Competing with Lacey for a starting position will be Tairyn and newcomer Bailey Platt," added Netherby-Sewell. "Tairyn spent the spring developing her arsenal. She's a dynamic hitter that's learning to open up the net with her speed. I also expect her to come into her own as a serve-receive passer."
There has been a lot of buzz about local Buchanan High School grad Platt.
"Bailey is a local newcomer that has great touch on the ball," Netherby-Sewell said. "She has a ton of spunk and I'm sure she'll be in the running for a starting role. We're looking for strong defense and passing out of her right away."
Middle Blockers
Two starting middle blockers return in Leonardo and sophomore Lauren Berger and with the addition of Clarke the Bulldogs look to improve their blocking this season and the future looks bright in the middle.
"Expectations have risen in the middle blocking position," added Netherby-Sewell. "Great progress was made in our short spring in a position that lacked luster. We see such potential in this position to move from just blockers, to one of our more imposing offensive threats."
Leonardo put up big numbers as a freshman and shot past those her sophomore year. She broke eight personal bests in 2007, including total blocks with eight vs. Arkansas. Being the upperclassman in the middle, Leonardo looks to continue to boost her numbers and has high hopes of earning All-WAC honors.
"Kelly Leonardo is our biggest presence but seemed raw with untapped potential when I arrived," said Netherby-Sewell. "She was one of our hardest-working athletes in the spring and soaked up information like a sponge. Expect to see her emerge as a leader and perhaps our most inspirational player."
Breaking into the freshman records books in the top five in block assists and total blocks in 2007, Berger returns with a years' experience and looks to add strength at the net. She was second on the team last year with 74 total blocks, right behind Leonardo.
"Adding to our depth and strength is Lauren Berger," added Netherby-Sewell. "Lauren is gaining speed and efficiency with her new footwork. As her competitive spirit emerges, look out for a player that surprises opponents. She has fantastic control off one foot, but will do more with her expanded repertoire."
Another Bullard High School graduate, Clarke also has received a lot of hype and is looking to make an immediate impact in the middle.
"Brianna Clarke has positive hype around her arrival and I expect nothing less than her competing for a starting position," added Netherby-Sewell. "Brianna has good size and a strong arm for a middle blocker. Her powerful swing and impressive blocking presence will be of great help."
Right-side Hitters
This position has a whole new look for the Bulldogs this season. Watson had a chance to prove herself as she earned some starts the end of last season. She had an impressive final regular season match against nationally ranked New Mexico State. Watson carried that success into the spring tournament and looks to continue that through the fall.
"Our right-side has a different dimension and role," said Netherby-Sewell. "We made some moves and put our mobile hitters with size and speed to hit first-tempo balls on the right. I look for big blocks and a quick offense out of this side. Lexi made a move from left to right. In week one I noticed her speed and blocking presence and made the move. She's come into her own there and enjoys the open looks at the net. I expect consistent, exciting play from her this year."
Athwal will get to see the court for the first time as a Bulldog this year and show Bulldog fans what she has to offer. She was able to get a year of Division I experience by being able to practice with the team as a redshirt so she is looking to expand her knowledge and contribute to the team early.
"Sukhjit made a move as well," Netherby-Sewell added. "Jit has nice blocking presence and a quick snap for first-tempo swings. She worked hard on her endurance and speed in the spring, so I'm looking for her to play an important back-up role this year."
Libero/Defensive Specialists
The position with the most depth for the Bulldogs this season will be on defense. All three defensive specialists from last season, Lisa Gera, Meghan Moss and Kelly Mason will return with one year of Division I experience. Also joining the group is redshirt freshman Sarah Oglesby who was with the team last year but sat out due to an injury.
"We have such terrific depth and talent in the back court," said Netherby-Sewell. "Each player brings something very different and vital to our serve-receive and floor defense. Each of them has a bit of experience at their back and were some of the most eager to learn during spring training. I'm expecting a real team effort from our defensive specialists and absolute consistency."
Lisa Gera was the starting libero for most of 2007. Gera was recruited as a setter and played that position as a freshman before switching last season. She proved that the switch was a good one as she made some outstanding plays in the back row. Gera looks to lead the charge again this season and be a leader on the floor to the underclassmen.
"Lisa has the most collegiate experience of the group," Netherby-Sewell added. "She impressed her teammates this spring with her changes in leadership and work ethic. She's a true Bulldog and is at home in our middle/middle defense taking hard balls from every direction. She's one of our most talented volleyball players and the entire group is looking to her as a leader."
Coming on strong at the end of last season were then-freshman Moss and Mason. Both earned some starts at the end of the year and finished with over 175 digs each.
"Adding constant and what I like to call, smooth passing to our court, is Megan Moss," said Netherby-Sewell. "Megan has so much talent, efficiency and speed for her position - I think her career is about to boom. She's worked hard on strength and playing the role, so I'm looking forward to watching her develop this season. Kelly Mason has found a very comfortable home in the right back. She's one of our most fearless defenders that can handle a hard hit from any angle and has so much positive energy to add to a match. I know Kelly will compete for the best dig-to-kill ratio on the team with her control off power."
Oglesby looks to prove that the injury that kept her out last season will not hold her back and looks to fight for a starting position in the back row.
"Adding even more depth to our position is red-shirt freshman Sarah Oglesby," Netherby-Sewell said. "Sarah is coming off a tough injury, but is working hard to gain strength on her injured side. Sarah plays low balls well and has a strong serve - so I know she'll make an impact in any of the three back-row positions."
Schedule
The 2008 season kicks off with the 19th Fresno State Invitational on August 29th at the Save Mart Center. The tournament ran for 18 consecutive years before taking a three year hiatus and will make its return this season. Saint Mary's, UC Davis and Cal State Bakersfield are this years tournament participants.
Fresno State has won the tournament nine times and was the runner up to Oral Roberts in 2004. Saint Mary's will make its second appearance and placed fourth in their first trip to the tournament. UC Davis and CSUB are both making their first appearances in the Fresno State Invitational.
"I'm eager to host the Fresno State Invitational and battle it out with three strong California opponents in the Save Mart Center," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell. "With a new configuration for volleyball matches, our fans will be engaged in a much more intimate, exciting environment than they've seen in years previous. The tournament will be a debut for our new environment and a team similar in personnel, but different in energy and work ethic. Both are sure to make fans proud and entertained."
The Bulldogs will then play their annual exhibition game against cross-town NAIA powerhouse Fresno Pacific on September 3. Fresno Pacific won the NAIA title last season.
The only out-of-state tournament on the schedule for the Bulldogs is to the Midwest at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. The Phoenix compete in the Horizon League and are 0-1 all-time vs. Fresno State as the two played in the Fresno State Invitational in 1999 with a 3-0 Bulldog victory.
The Bulldogs will also take on Northern Arizona out of the Big Sky Conference and Drake University from the Missouri Valley Conference, in the two-day tournament at the Kress Events Center on Sept. 5-6.
It's then down highway 99 to Bakersfield for the final non-conference tournament as the `Dogs will once again take on CSUB on Sept. 12. Sept. 13 the Bulldogs take on the Wildcats from Arizona out of the Pac-10 and then Chicago State, a D-I Independent.
"It's a well-balanced slate with matches I certainly expect to win, and matches that I certainly hope to win," said Netherby-Sewell. "With competitors from the Pac-10 to those in the Midwest, we'll see where we've improved and what we're on the road to becoming."
The 2008 WAC schedule begins on the road for the first time in two years at New Mexico State on Sept. 18. The `Dogs road trip continues to Louisiana Tech and Utah State.
The Bulldogs open WAC play at the Save Mart Center on Sept. 27 vs. San Jose State, followed by Boise State, Idaho and Nevada.
Fresno State will close out the October schedule at Nevada, Hawai'i and San Jose State with a home match vs. Utah State in the mix.
November sees the `Dogs final three home matches vs. Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State and Hawai'i before wrapping up the regular season at Boise State and Idaho.
"It's easy to create a good schedule in California with high-ranking teams surrounding us. I think it's important to experience different competitors with different styles to be balanced and ready for post-season play," added Netherby-Sewell. "It will be good if we can get wins in those unfamiliar places to prove our level of physicality at Fresno State and within the Western Athletic Conference."
The 2008 WAC Tournament will be hosted by Hawai'i in Honolulu, Nov. 20-23.
"It's a wonderful place for a WAC tournament," said Netherby-Sewell. "I hope to fill the Save Mart in similar fashion one day!"
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - New Head Coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell and the Bulldog Volleyball team open the 2008 season on Friday, August 29th at 7 pm as they host Cal State Bakersfield in the Fresno State Invitational at the Save Mart Center. Be sure to purchase your Family and Friends Flex Pack which includes 48 general admission tickets (4 for each home game) to be used as you please for $89 by logging on to www.gobulldogs.com and visiting the tickets page, calling the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stopping by the Bulldog Ticket Office.
