Photos by Shelly Hanks, WSU Photo Services
PULLMAN – The WSU women’s volleyball team is gearing up for another great season, with fall practice sessions in full swing under third-year Head Coach Andrew Palileo, the 2009 Pacific-10 Conference Coach of the Year.
WSU is coming off an 18-13 overall record, 6-12 Pac-10 record for eighth place and the first trip to the NCAA Championship Tournament since 2002.
The 2010 season begins at home, in Bohler Gym, Aug. 27-28, when WSU hosts the Nike Cougar Invitational featuring NCAA-participants Cal Poly, Weber State, and cross-state rival, Idaho.
Plan to meet the 2010 volleyball team and coaching staff 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, in Bohler Gym, for Cougar Volleyball 101. There will be introductions, a special clinic, a crimson and gray scrimmage, and free posters and autographs.
Returning players
The Cougars return four starters from their 2009 NCAA Championships first round squad:
The Cougars return four starters from their 2009 NCAA Championships first round squad:
- senior middle blocker Brittany Tillman
- junior outside hitter Meagan Ganzer
- sophomore libero Oceana Bush, a first team Pac-10 All-Freshman selection
- rightside hitter Rachel Todorovich, an honorable mention selection to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team
Other letterwinners returning from the 2009 squad include sophomore junior defensive specialist Faith Hutcherson, junior setter Alex Diemer, and sophomore middle blocker Conley Kipp.
New players
Transfer student-athletes joining the WSU volleyball team include:
- senior outside hitter Vanessa Murray (Kansas State)
- junior outside hitter Kaleinani Kabalis (Western Nebraska)
- junior setter Maddie Dolny (North Idaho)
- Incoming freshmen on the roster are:
- middle hitters Marcelina Glab and Annie Leendertsen
- middle blocker Stephanie Hagins
- setter Sara Biondi
- defensive specialist Jordan Levenseller
Coaching staff
Associate Head Coach Brian Lamppa (third year), Assistant Coach Jennifer Fry (first year), and Operations Coordinator Kara Kiefer (second year) complete the Cougar volleyball coaching staff.
In the 2010 Pac-10 Volleyball Coaches’ preseason poll, Stanford is selected to take the conference title this fall, followed by USC, Washington, Arizona and California. The Cougars were voted to finish ninth in the preseason poll.