8/15/2010 9:09:30 AM
With nine returning players with playing experience, the Southern Oregon volleyball team opens the 2010 season Monday night at home against Holy Names.
The Raiders and Hawks play at 6:30 p.m.
Southern Oregon is coming off a 24-4 season in 2009, including a regular season Cascade Conference title and a berth in the NAIA National Tournament. SOU has now recorded three-straight 20-win seasons.
Including in the group of returners are a pair of All-Americans - Lindsey Stone and Leah Bergstrom.
Stone, a senior setter, returns to the SOU lineup after taking a medical red-shirt year last year. Stone earned NAIA All-American and Cascade Conference Player of the Year honors as a junior and sophomore in 2008 and 2007.
"After taking a year off, Lindsey has come back more passionate about her senior season," said SOU head coach Josh Rohlfing, who also coached Stone as a prep at Ashland High School. "She's more of a leader this year and did a lot this Summer to get ready. She's physically as strong as I've ever seen her. After coaching her for 10 years, it's a plus to have her out there because she is like an extension of me."
In Stone's absence last year, Angela Spieker and Caryn Westrick shared the setter duties. With Stone back, Rohlfing said he will still find spots to play the two returners. Spieker could see some time as a right-side hitter and Westrick will see some action as a defensive specialist.
Bergstrom, an All-American and Cascade Conference All-Star last year as a junior, leads a talented group of hitters.
The right-side hitter emerged as a force last year, finishing fourth in the conference in attack percentage (.292), seventh in kills (2.83 per set) and eighth in total blocks (71).
"She really came on and set the tone early last year," Rohlfing said. "She was All-Tournament in Fresno and hit over .300 in all the matches and that really gave her a lot of confidence. She's been playing with us since she was a freshman and she's one of the most tireless workers I've had the opportunity to coach.
Senior Leanne Stennett, an All-Conference pick last year, and junior Sarah Holgen will anchor down the outside hitter slots.
"Leanne and Sarah are great all-around players, they really help us in every facet of the game," Rohlfing said.
Freshman Claire Pynes could also work her way into the SOU lineup as a hitter.
"She is an incredible leaper," Rohlfing said. "Once she catches up with the speed of volleyball at this level, she's going to be an incredible player."
Junior Megan Bartling has blossomed into the go-to-person at middle blocker for the Raiders.
Bartling led the team with 120 total blocks last year and also added 144 kills.
"She has turned into a very solid player," Rohlfing said. "She has consistently improved during every month of her career and her teammates are taking notice of the type of player she's becoming."
Junior Lauren Swetland and red-shirt freshman Haley Fikso are also battling for playing time.
Junior libero Becky Johnstone, one of the top defensive players in the conference last year, will miss the first few weeks due to an injury. Red-shirt freshman Renee Yomtob will see more action in the place of Johnstone.
After Monday's match, the Raiders will host the annual Paul Elliott Invitational. The tourney, named after former Raider coach Paul Elliott, will feature SOU, Oregon Tech, Simpson, Montana Western, Embry Riddle (Fla.) and defending National Champion Fresno Pacific.
The Raiders will face Montana Western Friday at 10 a.m. and Embry Riddle Friday at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Raiders take on Simpson at 1:30 p.m. and then will face Fresno Pacific at 7:30 p.m. in the feature match of the tournament.
Elliott coached the Raiders from 1991-2006. During that 16-year stretch, Elliott turned in a program best 381 victories, led SOU to four NAIA National Tournament berths, four regional championships and three Cascade Conference titles.
Elliott is now the Athletic Director and volleyball coach at Santa Catalina School.