2007 Women's Volleyball Season Outlook
The 2007 women's volleyball season brings six returning members who will help lead the Pioneers to a great season. Outside hitter Whitney Schmidt (Olathe, KS) will look to lead the team this year as a four-year Varsity player. Schmidt has recovered from several injuries that prevented her play last season and will be a strong asset in the success of the Lady Pioneers. Joining Schmidt is Nicole Hannon (Olathe, KS) and Julie Ryman (Garnett, KS) who will take on the role of defensive specialist/libero. We anticipate Hannon and Ryman to be forces to reckon with in the back row. Also returning is senior right side hitter Callie-Jo Kerans (Marionville, MO) who will once again bring strong communication and aggressive front row play. Sophomores Leanne Lagace (Glendora, CA) and Heidi Morris (Olathe, KS) return for a second year as aggressive all around players. Last year Lagace was second in the conference in aces and fifth in assists. She also was named HAAC Honorable Mention and NCCAA All Region member. Lagace will continue to assist the team in setting and hitting, while Morris will continue at the middle position dominating with kills and blocks. Morris was only eligible for half the season last year and had improved her skills tremendously throughout off season play. We anticipate Morris to be a huge strength on the front line.
Joining these six returnees are six incoming recruits who are expected to make substantial contributions to this year's team. Junior Stephanie Bergman (Leavenworth, KS) returns to MNU after playing here her freshman year and then attending Johnson County Community College. Bergman will be a leader on the team and contribute with hitting both right side and middle playing all the way around. Junior Clarissa Kopp (Olathe, KS) comes to us from Allen County Community College. Kopp will contribute as both a middle and right side hitter. Brittany Phillipi (Hemet, CA) is a transfer from California who will challenge our opponents playing both outside and right side. Phillipi will bring stability and an aggressive offense to the front line. Freshmen joining the Varsity squad this year are Lindsey Bruders (Blue Springs, Mo) and Sydney Tenney (Olathe, KS). Bruders reads the court well and is a fierce competitor; she will contribute both as outside and right side hitter while looking to assist in the back row. Tenney has great hands and will set as well as help the team defensively. Sophomore, Darri Dick (Ft. Defiance, AZ) will float playing defense on Varsity and outside hitter playing all the way around on JV.
Varsity staff includes second year head coach Rachel Ryden, and second year assistant Becky Brents. Joining the Varsity staff this year is Mindy Essex who assisted one year at UMKC. Essex is a graduate of MNU and was an NAIA All American her senior year. We look forward to her contributions on and off the court. Student Assistant Jenni Campbell who played Varsity volleyball at MNU for two years and had to sit out due to medical reasons will be helping with stats and other coaching responsibilities. Aubrey Clair is a second year team mentor and will continue to help motivate the Varsity and JV teams as they compete. Junior, Conner Keyeski will be managing for his second year.
Coaching the Junior Varsity squad will be Tiphanie Bohi who is in her second year as head coach. Assisting Coach Bohi will be Liz Turner who played Varsity for two years. Sophomore, Lauren Ammons will lead the squad to victory with her dominating swing at middle front. Joining Ammons is Chelsea Reed and Ashley Seiss who will also play an aggressive role on the front lines as outside and middle hitters. Jenni Reynolds transferred in second semester of last year and has shown great improvements in her skills. Reynolds will be a strong outside hitter and defensive player. Junior Laura Zimmerman and senior Danika Farnsworth return to volleyball after sitting out for one year. Zimmerman and Farnsworth will contribute in the back row along with possibilities for playing front row. Sophomore, Courtney Bailey is a lefty who will set and play right side. Also aiding the squad will be freshmen Thea Staton and Elizabeth Standridge, who will both contribute at the setter position. Support staff for junior varsity will be Lindsey Snyder who played last year and will assist the team in her knowledge of the game.
Coach Ryden is looking forward to the beginning of a new season with many new recruits who will help bring a successful and rewarding season. "I'm excited about the girls coming in this year. They have such wonderful attitudes and have a desire to serve each other on and off the court. I believe that they will challenge each other and develop into a great team. Their desires & goals for themselves and the rest of the team are going to be hard to reach, but they are holding each other accountable and each believes that they can achieve success if they work together."
