SPOKANE, Wash. - Seattle Pacific's 2011 roster will feature nearly half of the returning first or second-team all-stars from the 2010 Great Northwest Athletic volleyball season.
The Falcons, who are ranked 13th in the AVCA pre-season national poll, are also the only team in the conference with a four-year transfer – outside hitter Caitlin Fellows from Boise State - so its no surprise SPU is favored to repeat this fall as GNAC champions.
Seattle Pacific, coming off a 26-3 campaign, received seven of 10 first-place votes in the GNAC Coaches pre-season poll.
They outpointed Western Washington, which finished with a 20-4 record and shared the conference title with the Falcons, each finishing with 16-2 GNAC records.
The Vikings, who have won or shared five GNAC titles in the 10-year history of the conference and are ranked 17th in the pre-season national poll, will be led by 2010 GNAC Player-of-the-Year Emily Jepsen.
Except for Sarah Risser, who ranked second in the GNAC in kills averaging 3.67 per set, virtually all the key pieces are back for Seattle Pacific head coach Chris Johnson (112-53, 6 years).
That includes second team AVCA All-American Nikki Lowell (5-10, So., Claremont, CA), who led the GNAC in kill percentage (.382) and finished fifth in blocks (1.11) and eighth in kills (2.88).
Five other starters also return. Outside hitter Lindsey Wodrich (5-9, Sr., Richland, WA) finished fifth in the conference in kills (3.10) and joined Lowell on the conference's first-team all-star unit.
Three players – libero Anna Herold (5-8, Sr., Bothell, WA – Shorecrest), outside hitter Paige Hoffman (6-2, Sr., Encinitas, CA – Cathedral Catholic) and setter Shelby Swanson (5-8, Jr., Kennewick, WA – Kamiakin) – were all second-team selections.
SPU's five first or second team all-star selections nearly matches the total of six returning first or second teams from the other nine conference teams combined.
Swanson is back to orchestrate the offense, which added Fellows (5-10, Jr., Edmonds, WA – Edmonds-Woodway), who started eight matches last fall for the 21-12 Broncos. In two seasons at Boise State, Fellows had 240 kills in 121 sets.
Swanson led the GNAC in assists last season averaging 11.33 per set.
Hoffman averaged 2.60 kills in finishing 11th in the conference, while Herold ranked third in digs, earning 5.14 per set. That was enough to earn her honorable mention AVCA All-American honors.
Also back is middle blocker Angie Pricco, who had 88 kills and 73 blocks in 90 sets.
Jepsen (5-11, Sr., Kennewick, WA – Kamiakin) earned honorable mention AVCA All-American honors in addition to GNAC Player-of-the-Year honors last season and is one of four starters returning for Western Washington head coach Diane Flick (233-64, 11 years).
Jepsen was the GNAC leader in service aces with 46 – 10 more than anyone else in the conference – and she also ranked fourth in kills (3.18), fourth in kill percentage (.306), fourth in blocks (1.11) and second in total points (4.40).
“Emily's a very physical player,” Flick said. “She plays with such aggressiveness that teams focus on her and that makes the players around her better.”
Also back for the Vikings are middle blocker Bailey Jones (6-0, Jr., Mukilteo, WA – Kamiak) and outside hitter Marlayna Geary (5-10, Jr., Tacoma, WA – Bellarmine Prep). Playing alongside Jepsen, Jones averaged 1.52 kills and also had 57 blocks.
Geary, who is on pace to finish in the Top 5 in kills in WWU school history, ranked seventh in the GNAC averaging 3.00 per set in earning second team all-conference honors.
Another returning all-star is setter Laurie Yearout (5-9, Jr., Spokane, WA – Lewis & Clark) who earned honorable mention honors two years ago when she ranked second in the GNAC in assists (10.57) and had 40 blocks. Last year, she played a backup role to Kari Rice.
Four other players also return off last year's team including defensive specialist Haleigh Adkins (5-8, Sr., Puyallup, WA – Rogers), who played in all 84 sets and had 1.77 digs per set and 25 aces.
Joining Adkins in the back row will be redshirt freshman libero Samantha Hutchinson (5-8, University Place, WA – Curtis).
In recent years WWU has had three All-American liberos. Hutchinson “could be one of the best ones we've ever had” at the position according to Flick.
Alaska Anchorage won the GNAC title two years ago before slipping to third last season finishing with a 18-9 record including 13-5 in the conference.
The Seawolves, under coach Chris Green (56-31, 3 years), return seven players, including four starters off their 2010 team.
Among the veterans are three returning all-stars, including Jackie Matthisen (5-11, Sr., Anchorage, AK – East), who ranked 10th in the conference in kills (2.75) and Robyn Burton (5-11, So., Eagle River, AK – Chugiak) who won the GNAC blocking title (1.25 per set) in her freshman season.
Both players were second team GNAC all-conference selections. Joining the duo on the 2010 all-star team was outside hitter McKenzie Moss (5-11, Sr., Anchorage, AK – Bartlett), who averaged 2.57 kills and 2.51 digs and was an honorable mention selection.
Also back is setter Siobhan Johansen (5-7, So., Palmer, AK – Colony), who averaged six assists.
Two reserves – defensive specialist/outside hitter Nikkie Viotto (5-8, Jr., Eagle River, AK, 2.78 digs, 36 aces) and defensive specialist Quincy Haught (5-7, So., Gilbert, AZ, 2.29 dig, 22 aces) – played in every set.
Western Oregon, which is one of three teams along with Seattle Pacific and Northwest Nazarene to return six starters, will try to improve on last year's fourth place finish when they were the most improved team in the conference.
The Wolves finished with a 14-9 record including 12-6 in the GNAC under coach Brad Saindon (44-31, 3 years) after going 5-11 the previous season.
Among the returning starters for the Wolves are a pair of second-team all-star selections – outside hitter Danielle Reese (5-11, Jr., Gig Harbor, WA) and middle blocker Krissy Kemper (5-10, So., Prineville, OR – Crook County).
Reese ranked ninth in kills (2.82), fourth in aces (33) and 10th in digs (3.09) last season, while Kemper averaged 2.07 kills and had 62 blocks in her freshman campaign.
Other returnees include outside hitter Corynn Kopra (5-9, So., Gresham, OR – Sam Barlow, 1.19 kps, 1.99 dps, 13 aces), middle blocker Becky Blees (5-10, So., Portland, OR – Madison, 1.39 kps, 71 blocks), outside hitter Samantha Ward (6-1, Jr., Salem, OR – West Salem, 2.13 kps) and libero Megan Triggs (5-6, So., Olympia, WA, 4.44 dps).
Returning after redshirting last season is defensive specialist Cally Young (5-5, Sr., Bend, OR – Mountain View), who averaged 3.48 digs in 2009.
Central Washington graduated Kady Try, who led the GNAC in kills (4.14), but the Wildcats (13-10, 11-7) do return nine letter winners – the second most in the conference.
Among four 2010 starters is setter Carlee Marble (5-8, Sr., LaConner, WA), who finished third in the conference in assists averaging 9.48.
Also back for head coach Mario Andaya (230-181, 15 years) are outside hitter Meg Ryan (5-11, Sr., Spokane, WA – Mead) and middle blocker Erin Smith (5-10, So., Selah, WA).
Ryan ranked second on the team in kills (2.45), digs (2.80) and aces (16) last season, while Smith ranked second in blocks (57) and also averaged 1.00 kills.
Defensive specialist Chelsie Vea (5-3, So., Honolulu, HI – Kalani), who started six matches, averaged 2.20 digs per set.
Two other players participated in 50 or more sets – rightside hitter Molly Mayer (6-2, Jr., East Wenatchee, WA – Eastmont, 0.89 kps, 35 blocks) and outside hitter Marcy Hjellum (5-11, Jr., Kennewick, WA – Kamiakin, 0.90 kps, 1.48 dps).
Northwest Nazarene (7-17, 7-11) has a league-best 10 letter winners led by honorable mention all-star Reisa Fessler (6-0, Sr., Bakersfield, CA – Liberty).
The NNU middle blocker led the Crusaders last season in kills (2.31) and ranked second in blocks (64).
The only loss for head coach Jared Sliger (79-68, 6 years) among players who participated in at least half the sets was libero Haley Hevern who ranked second in the conference in digs (5.22).
Starters back in addition to Fessler include middle blockers Becky Flores (5-9, Jr., Kennewick, WA – Riverview) and Haley Abbott (6-0, Sr., Kenmore, WA – Cedar Park Christian), outside hitters Carly Dranginis (6-0, Jr., Nampa, ID – Skyview) and Kailey Trautmann (5-10, Sr., Snohomish, WA – King's) and setter Briana Claassen (6-0. Sr., Stayton, OR).
Flores averaged 2.18 kills and 2.10 digs and was the team leader in blocks with 64, while Abbott averaged 1.55 kills and had 55 blocks.
Dranginis and Trautmann chipped in with 2.06 kills and 0.99 kills, respectively, while Claassen averaged 5.25 assists while splitting the setter duties with Laticia Lehman (5-7, Sr., Stayton, OR – Stayton) who averaged 4.36 assists.
Trautmann also had 3.06 digs per set and a team-best 22 aces.
Other players who saw significant action included outside hitter Jordyn Glorfield (6-0, So., Boise, ID - Centennial), who had 37 kills and 31 blocks in 56 sets and setter/defensive specialist Amy VanBeek (5-7, Jr., Yakima, WA – Riverside Christian) who had 155 digs, 37 assists and 19 aces in 83 sets.
Montana State Billings returns eight letter winners and five starters off a team that fell to 5-23 last season, including 5-13 in the conference.
Among the veterans for third-year head coach Steve Smith (22-34) are setter Brooke Tolman (5-8, Sr., Honeyville, UT) and middle hitter Melissa Porter (6-3, Sr., Redmond, UT – North Sevier).
Tolman averaged 7.75 assists in earning honorable mention GNAC honors, while Porter ranked second on the team in kills (1.75) and was the team leader in blocks with 85.
Also back from last year's starting lineup are middle hitter Jody Lutz (6-1, Jr., Dugald, Manitoba) and outside hitters Kayla Neumiller (5-9, So., Colstrip, MT) and Taylor Adams (6-1, So., Anchorage, AK – Diamond).
Lutz averaged 1.07 kills and ranked second on the team in both blocks (68) and aces (22). Neumiller had 33 kills and 90 digs in 63 sets, while Adams contributed 94 digs in 79 sets.
Libero Adrienne Kelso (5-4, So., Bend, OR) played in all 101 sets and averaged 2.63 digs.
Seven letter winners return for Alaska Fairbanks head coach Phil Shoemaker (124-140, 11 years), though the Nanooks (7-17, 5-13) return only two starters – libero Allison Oddy (5-6, Jr., Chilliwack, BC – Highroad) and outside hitter Simone Chavous (5-9, Sr., Aurora, CO – Bishop Machebeuf) - the fewest number in the conference.
Oddy averaged 2.34 digs and had 14 aces, while Chavous contributed 2.29 kills – the second most on the team - and 1.44 digs.
Three other players participated in 50 or more sets including rightside hitter Karlee Skalla (5-11, Sr., Las Vegas, NV – Orange Coast), defensive specialist Jordyn Montgomery (5-3, Jr., Topeka, KS) and outside hitter Keri Knight (5-9, So., Arvada, CO – Ralston Valley).
Skalla had 57 kills and 18 blocks in 50 sets, while Montgomery had 205 digs in 87 appearances. Knight played in 62 sets and had 44 kills and 18 blocks.
Simon Fraser returns seven players from a team that posted a 4-18 record in its inaugural GNAC season.
Back for coach Lisa Sulatycki (102-167, 15 years) are three starters - outside hitter Kelsey Robinson (5-11, So., Surrey, BC – Clayton Heights) and middle blockers KJ Fridfinnson (6-1, Sr., Calgary, AB) and Cheryl Windhorst (6-0, Sr., Surrey, BC – Fraser Valley Christian).
Robinson averaged 1.49 kills and 1.89 digs while Fridfinnson averaged 1.96 kills and ranked second for the Clan in blocks with 48,
Windhorst was the team's No. 2 kill producer (2.12 per set) and led the team in blocks with 63.
The only other returnee who participated in at least half of last year's sets was outside hitter Katie Forsyth (5-10, So., Delta, BC), who had 23 kills and 25 digs in 41 sets.
Eight letter winners return for coach Phil Ibarra (15-133, 6 years) at Saint Martin's, which finished with a 2-22 record last season (1-17 in the GNAC).
Among the returnees is middle blocker Katy Ferguson (6-1, Jr., Tacoma, WA - Stadium), who ranked second in kills (1.87) and was the team leader in blocks with 73.
Also returning are middle blocker Teilissa Tua (6-0, Jr., Kahului, HI – Kamehameha Maui), rightside hitter/outside hitter Kristeen Juarez (5-11, Sr., Marysville, WA – Pilchuck) and libero Brianna Bautista (5-1, Sr., Puyallup, WA – Bethel).
Tua had 141 kills and 62 blocks playing in all 84 sets last season, while Juarez had 554 assists, 45 kills and 54 blocks in 79 sets. Bautista led the Saints in digs (4.38 per set).
With Cymbree Decosta (5-5, So., Kula, HI – Kamehameha Maui) back this fall, Juarez will move from the setter position to a hitter position. Two years ago Decosta averaged 7.61 assists and 3.01 digs.
Also returning this fall are outside hitter Erica Edwards (5-8, Olympia, WA, So., 1.58 dps), defensive specialist Kristin Okamura (5-0, So., Honolulu, HI - Roosevelt) and outside hitter Kailah Lenz (5-10, So., Olympia, WA – Black Hills, 1.04 kps, 1.89 dps).
The 2011 season begins next Friday (Aug. 26) in Hawaii as both Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Fairbanks will compete in the Hawaii Invitational.
The remainder of the conference teams don't debut until the following week when GNAC teams will compete at six different locations.
Central Washington and Saint Martin's will open their seasons in the Humboldt State Invitational at Arcata. Meanwhile, Northwest Nazarene and Seattle Pacific will make their debuts in the Waikiki Beach Invitational in Hawaii.
Cal State San Bernardino will host Alaska Anchorage, Western Oregon and Western Washington in a tournament.
Montana State Billings heads to Colorado for the Colorado Mines Classic. Simon Fraser, meanwhile, will compete in the Cal Poly Pomona Invitational.
Alaska Fairbanks will be the lone GNAC team to stay at home as it hosts Dallas Baptist, Minnesota State and Grand Canyon in the UAF Nanook Classic.
2011 GNAC TEAM CAPSULES
ALASKA ANCHORAGE SEAWOLVES
Head Coach: Chris Green, Nebraska '91 (56-31, 3 years)
Assistants: Nicky Rose, Stacie Meisner
2010 Record: 18-9
Conference: 13-5, 3rd
Returning Letter Winners: 7
Returning Starters (4): Jackie Matheson (OH, 5-11, Sr., 2.75 kps, 2.76 dps, 28 aces, 37 blocks, 2nd team GNAC), Robyn Burton (MB, 5-11, Sr., 1.89 kps, 125 blocks, 2nd team GNAC); McKenzie Moss (OH, 5-11, Sr., 2.57 kps, 2.51 dps, 19 aces, HM GNAC); Siobhan Johansen (S, 5-7, So., 6.00 aps, 1.53 dps)
Other Returnees: Shelby Hollister (RS, 5-10, Jr., 0.89 kps, 12 blocks), Nikki Viotto (DS/OH, 5-8, Jr., 36 aces, 2.78 dps), Quincy Haught (DS, 5-7, So., 22 aces, 2.29 dps)
Transfers: Kimya Jafroudi (S, 5-7, Jr., Huntington Beach, CA – Orange Coast); Ariel Austin (RS, 5-11, Jr., Woodland Park, CO – Western Nebraska CC); Miranda Doing (MB, 5-11, Jr., LaMirada, CA – Pasadena CC)
ALASKA FAIRBANKS NANOOKS
Head Coach: Phil Shoemaker, Missouri '75 (124-140, 11 years; Overall, 367-442, 28 years)
Associate Head Coach: Mallory Larranga
Assistant Coach: Jamie Foland
2010 Record: 7-17
Conference: 5-13, 7th-T
Returning Letter Winners: 7
Returning Starters (2): Allison Oddy (L, 5-6, Jr., 14 aces, 2.34 dps); Simone Chavous (OH, 5-9, Sr., 2.29 kps, 1.44 dps, 17 blocks)
Other Returnees: Karlee Skalla (RS, 5-11, Sr., 1.14 kps, 18 blocks); Jordyn Montgomery (DS, 5-3, Jr., 2.36 dps, 11 aces); Keri Knight (OH, 5-9, So., 0.71 kps, 0.53 dps, 18 blocks); Britt Glaeser (MB, 5-8, So.); Casey Tidwell (MB, 6-1, Jr.)
Transfers: Reilly Stevens (OH, 5-10, Jr., Riverside, CA- Fullerton CC)
CENTRAL WASHINGTON WILDCATS
Head Coach: Mario Andaya, CWU '93 (230-181, 15 years)
Assistants: Chloe Solum, Brandie Vea
2010 Record: 13-10
Conference: 11-7, 5th
Returning Letter Winners: 9
Returning Starters (4): Carlee Marble (S, 5-8, Sr., 9.48 aps, 2.22 dps, 12 aces, 28 blocks, HM GNAC); Megan Ryan (OH, 5-11, Sr., 2.45 kps, 2.80 dps, 16 aces); Erin Smith (MB, 5-10, So., 1.00 kps, 57 blocks); Chelsie Vea (DS, 5-3, So., 2.20 dps)
Other Returnees: Emmy Dolan (MB, 5-11, So., 0.69 kps); Jordan Offutt (OH, 5-11, Jr., 1.39 kps); Molly Mayer (RS, 6-2, Jr., 0.89 kps, 35 blocks); Devin Larson (S, 5-9, Jr., 8.14 aps); Marcy Hjellum (OH, 5-11, Jr., 0.90 kps, 1.48 dps)
Transfers: Sabrina Schwindler (OH, 5-10, Jr., LaConner, WA – Whatcom CC); Danielle Jacobson (L, 5-8, Jr., Rathdrum, ID – CC of Spokane)
MONTANA STATE BILLINGS YELLOWJACKETS
Head Coach: Steve Smith, WOU (22-34, 2 years, Overall, 66-116, 6 years)
Assistants: Catherine Losett
2010 Record: 5-23
Conference: 5-13, 7th-T
Returning Letter Winners: 8
Returning Starters (5): Brooke Tolman (S, 5-8, Sr., 7.75 aps, 17 aces, 26 blocks, HM GNAC); Melissa Porter (MH, 6-3, Sr., 1.75 kps, 85 blocks); Jody Lutz (MH, 6-1, Jr., 1.07 kps, 22 aces, 68 blocks); Kayla Neumiller (OH, 5-9, So., 1.43 dps, 12 blocks); Taylor Adams (OH, 6-1, So., 1.19 dps, 15 aces)
Other Returnees: Nicole Davey (OH, 5-10, So., 1.50 dps); Adrienne Kelso (L, 6-4, So., 2.63 dps, 15 aces); Morgan Moss (L, 5-5, Jr., 4.53 dps)
Transfers: Amanda Berry (L, 5-4, Jr., Grant Pass, OR – Linn-Benton); Bryanna Chavez (OH, 5-10, Jr., Las Vegas, NV – Feather River)
NORTHWEST NAZARENE CRUSADERS
Head Coach: Jared Sliger, Northwest Nazarene '91 (79-78, 6 years)
Assistants: Lindsey Yundt, Jessica Metz
2010 Record: 7-17
Conference: 7-11, 6th
Returning Letter Winners: 10
Returning Starters (6): Reisa Fessler (MB, 6-0, Sr., 2.31 kps, 0.97 dps, 18 aces, 56 blocks, HM GNAC); Becky Flores (MB, 5-9, Jr., 2.18 kps, 2.10 dps, 13 aces, 64 blocks); Carly Dranginis (OH, 6-0, Jr., 2.06 kps, 0.68 dps, 32 blocks); Haley Abbott (MB, 6-0, Sr., 1.55 kps, 55 blocks); Briana Claassen (S, 6-0, Sr., 1.18 kps, 41 blocks); Kailey Trautmann (OH, 5-10, Sr., 0.99 kps, 3.06 dps, 22 aces, 12 blocks)
Other Returnees: Jordyn Glorfield (OH, 6-0, So., 0.66 kps. 31 blocks); Amy VanBeek (S, 5-7, Jr., 1.87 dps, 19 aces); Laticia Lehman (S, 5-7, Sr., 4.36 aps, 1.61 dps); Kayla Fadenrecht (DS, 5-4, Jr., 5-4).
Transfers: None
SAINT MARTIN'S SAINTS
Head Coach: Phil Ibarra, Wayland Baptist '91 (15-133, 6 years)
Assistants: Val Ibarra
2010 Record: 2-22
Conference: 1-17, 10th
Returning Letter Winners: 8
Returning Starter (4+L): Katy Ferguson (MB, 6-1, Jr., 1.87 kps, 73 blocks); Teilissa Tua (MB, 6-0, Jr., 1.68 kps, 21 aces, 62 blocks); Kristeen Juarez (RS, 5-11, Sr., 7.01 aps, 1.92 dps, 17 aces, 54 blocks); Brianna Bautista (L, 5-1, Sr., 4.38 dps); Cymbree Decosta (S, 5-5, So., 7.61 aps, 3.01 dps, 15 aces, 27 blocks in 2009)
Other Key Returnees: Erica Edwards (OH, 5-7, So., 1.58 dps, 13 aces); Kristin Okamura (DS, 5-0, So., 1.61 dps); Kailah Lenz (OH, 5-10, So., 1.04 kps, 1.89 dps)
Transfers: None
SEATTLE PACIFIC FALCONS
Head Coach: Chris Johnson, Westmont '02 (112-53, 6 years)
Assistants: Nicola Parker, Johnny Lai, Kin Yun
2010 Record: 26-3
Conference: 16-2, 1st-T
Returning Letter Winners: 7
Returning Starters (5+L): Nikki Lowell (MB, 5-10, So., 2.88 kps, 106 blocks, 2nd team AVCA All-American, 1st team GNAC, GNAC Freshman of the Year); Lindsey Wodrich (OH, 5-9, Sr., 3.10 kps, 3.00 dps, 29 aces, 41 blocks, 1st team GNAC); Anna Herold (L, 5-8, Sr., 5.14 dps, 16 aces, HM AVCA All-American, 2nd team GNAC); Paige Hoffman (OH, 6-2, Sr., 2.60 kps, 2.04 dps, 24 aces, 67 blocks, 2nd team GNAC); Shelby Swanson (S, 5-8, Jr., 11.33 aps, 2.36 dps, 32 aces, 38 blocks, 2nd team GNAC); Angie Pricco (MB, 6-1, Jr., 0.98 kps, 73 blocks)
Other Returnees: Taylor Greig (MB, 5-10, So.)
Transfers: Caitlin Fellows (OH, 5-10, Jr., Edmonds, WA – Boise State)
SIMON FRASER CLAN
Head Coach: Lisa Sulatycki (102-267, 15 years)
Assistants: Scott Hodson, Adrian Goodmurphy
2010 Record: 4-18
Conference: 4-14, 9th
Returning Letter Winners: 7
Returning Starters (3): Kelsey Robinson (LS, 5-11, So., 1.49 kps, 1.89 dps, 16 aces, 18 blocks); KJ Fridfinnson (MB, 6-1, Sr., 1.96 kps, 13 aces, 48 blocks); Cheryl Windhorst (MB, 6-0, Sr., 2.12 kps, 24 aces, 63 blocks)
Other Returnees: Laura Briard (L, 5-7, So., 0.78 dps); Katie Forsyth (LS, 5-10, So., 0.56 kps, 0.61 dps); Kristin Bauder (MB, 6-1, Jr.); Chelsea Elvy (RS, 5-11, Sr.); Meghan Carver (S, 5-9, So.)
Transfers: None
WESTERN OREGON WOLVES
Head Coach: Brad Saindon, Arizona State '76 (44-31, 3 years; Overall, 346-257, 20 years)
Assistants: Sylvia Herrold
2010 Record: 14-9
Conference: 12-6, 4th
Returning Letter Winners: 7
Returning Starters (5+L): Danielle Reese (OH, 5-11, Jr., 2.82 kps, 3.09 dps, 33 aces, 24 blocks, 2nd team GNAC); Krissi Kemper (MB, 5-10, So., 2.07 kps, 14 aces, 62 blocks, 2nd team GNAC); Corynn Kopra (OH, 5-9, So., 1.19 kps, 1.99 dps, 13 aces); Becky Blees (MB, 5-10, So., 1.39 kps, 20 aces, 71 blocks); Samantha Ward (OH, 6-1, Jr., 2.13 kps, 1.05 dps, 17 aces, 25 blocks); Megan Triggs (DS, 5-6, So., 4.44 dps, 14 aces)
Other Returnees: Cally Young (DS/S, 3.48 dps in 2009) Transfers: Brenna Peterson (S, 5-11, Jr., Olympia, WA – North Idaho)
WESTERN WASHINGTON VIKINGS
Head Coach: Diane Flick, UW '93 (233-64, 11 years)
Assistants: James Suh, Nate Langstraat
2010 Record: 20-4
Conference: 16-2, 1st-T
Returning Letter Winners: 8
Returning Starters (4): Emily Jepsen (MB, 5-11, Sr., 3.18 kps, 46 aces, 93 blocks, AVCA HM All-American, GNAC Player-of-the-Year); Marlayna Geary (OH, 5-10, Jr., 3.00 kps, 1.01 dps, 25 blocks, 2nd team GNAC); Laurie Yearout (S, 5-9, Jr., 10.57 aps, 1.82 dps, 26 aces, 40 blocks, GNAC HM in 2009); Bailey Jones (MB, 6-0, Jr., 1.52 kpg, 57 blocks)
Other Returnees: Haleigh Adkins (DS/L, 5-8, Sr., 1.77 dps, 25 aces); Breanna Graham (OPP, 6-0, Jr.); Emily Boerger (MB, 6-2, So.); Kinsey Davis (OH, 5-9, So.)
Transfers: None
