2007 Volleyball Preview

 

 

8.07.07

 

Barrett Henderson

 

 

 

 

With nine returnees, most being core starters, the outlook is great for the EOU volleyball team.

 

 

“After a great last season in which we improved by leaps and bounds, I look to have the 2007 season only be better,” Kaki McLean, Eastern’s head volleyball coach said in a statement.

 

 

Eastern finished in the middle of a very tough Cascade Conference with a 9-9-1 conference record and 10-16-1 overall record.  McLean continued, “Of the nine returnees, they have all worked very hard in the off-season and I look for them all to make huge contributions this season.”

             

 

Returnees

Two important pieces to this year’s puzzle are Cascade conference honorees, Grace DeBoodt and Chelsea Lally. DeBoodt, who will only be a sophomore this season, will make an impact in the middle position.

 

 

Lally enters her senior year as a Mountaineer and looks to be a leader on the team. McLean on Lally, “she is always positive, encouraging and willing to help others when they need it; this makes her a great player to a coach as well as teammate.”

 

 

The return of Libero Kiley Cobb is also a huge addition to the team’s ball control and mentality. Cobb was named libero of the week on two different occasions last season.

             

 

Other returnees that will be coming back next year are Alissa Clinton, a freshman last year who got quite a bit of playing time in the setting position. Also in this position is Chelsea Herron.

             

 

McLean continued on other returnees, “We also have Christy Savage who will be a senior this year who got significant playing time as a right side. We also have the return of Jolene George, an outside hitter who was out last season with a knee injury. It will be great having her back as well; her addition of ball control and vocal leadership will be another piece to the puzzle this year. Danielle Kelley will also be returning for her sophomore season. We look for her to be an addition in the middle as well as the right side position.”

             

 

New Additions

 

 

There are some new faces in the crowd this season.  Transfer Cathy Savage from Oregon Tech, “will be a key player and will make an impact right away in the middle position; she has the attitude and defensive mentality that makes her a great blocker for our team,” McLean added.

               

 

There are a few more incoming players to this season’s team, seven to be exact. Four freshmen, the first being Haley McEnroe from Baker, Oregon. McEnroe is a 5’11” outside and middle hitter and should be come in and make an impact right away. McEnroe was second team all-tournament team at the state tournament for Baker High.

             

 

The second incoming freshman is Sonia Borders. Borders is a 5’7” middle/ outside hitter from Seaside, Oregon.

             

 

Natassia Quintrell is the third incoming freshman. Quintrell, a 5’7” outside hitter resides from Woodland, Washington. Quintrell and Borders actually play on the same club team, so there is already some unity there coming to Eastern.

             

 

There are also three incoming transfers for Eastern this year, the first is Sareena Simpson. Simpson transfers in from Treasure Valley Community College. At TVCC, Simpson played libero and will be an instant impact for the back row of EOU.

             

 

“She is possibly one of the most sound and stable players that I have seen in a while as far as ball control; she brings intensity and attitude to the Mounties and we are very excited to have her this season,” McLean added of Simpson.

             

 

Megan Weil is the second transfer from College of the Siskiyou. Weil is a 5’6” DS/ libero that will also find significant playing time for EOU. She was an all-conference selection at the COS.

The third and final transfer is Ashleigh Dailey from Northwest Nazarene and Idaho State University. Dailey is a 5’10” outside hitter.

             

 

 “Ashleigh is an athletic volleyball player with sound ball control skills that we would like to make an impact right away. Her height and strong hitting skills will improve not only our team but our program in the next three years as well,” McLean said of Dailey.

 

 

2007 Schedule  

             

 

Taking a look at the schedule for EOU, the season will open with scrimmages against the alumni on August 17, and a trip to Twin Falls, Idaho for the College of Idaho tournament August 24-25. The regular season will open a week later at the Willamette University invite on August 31.

 

 

The Cascade Conference looks to be among the nation’s elite for another season. Eastern will open the conference with Oregon Tech on September 7. Albertson College of Idaho enters the season as the defending conference champion and national runner-up from last season. EOU will face rival Albertson, September 18 here in La Grande and November 6 in Caldwell.

 

 

“The team and I are very excited about the players that we have coming in this year. Many of them will be key players next season, but all of them will be great additions to our program in the years to come,” McLain concluded on the upcoming season.

 

 

 

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