SPOKANE, Wash. - An experienced laden squad is ready to perform at the highest level when the 2011 Gonzaga University women's volleyball season starts this weekend at the UniWyo Wyoming Invite. The Bulldogs return seven letterwinners who averaged 87 sets each a season ago, 77 percent of total play. The Zags also add three returning redshirts and one newcomer to the squad.
Leading the charge to make 2011 the most successful campaign to date is the trio of senior leaders in setter Denise Van de Mortel, and outside hitters Laura Day and Kaprina Goodwin.
"Our seniors have shown a great deal of commitment to the program and are in position to perform at their highest level to date," explained head coach Dave Gantt, who is entering his third year at the helm. "They have a much better understanding of our system and continue to lead by example. We'll be looking for all three to produce at a level that will translate into their most successful season at Gonzaga."
Van de Mortel, the starting setter for three-years, has come into her own in the past year. After leading the Bulldogs in 2010 with 8.98 assists, 2.14 digs per set, along with a team-leading 19 service aces and 70 blocks, third highest on the team, she participated in the open tryouts for the U.S. Women's National A2 Program and spent time playing in China this past June.
"Denise availed herself to additional experiences through the spring and early summer that have had a positive impact on her level of play and corresponding expectations," stated Gantt. "As a result of being named an alternate on the USA Women's National A2 team in the spring and then spending time in China, Deni has returned to fall camp possessing a very confident and reassuring playing style."
Day is coming off a season where she transitioned from a two-year defensive specialist to an outside hitter. After finishing with a career-high 76 kills her junior season, along with being second on the squad in digs at 2.67 per set, she again will be looked upon to be a crucial part of the Zags success.
"As the smallest starting outside hitter in the West Coast Conference, Laura has had to expect great things from herself and we're hopeful this will be the breakout year for her," said Gantt. "She is capable of a high level of consistent play and we'll be excited to see how she performs her final season."
The final piece of the senior class is Goodwin, returning to the action after an elbow injury cut her junior season short. She was averaging 2.07 kills per set last season before the injury occurred in the opening match of West Coast Conference play.
"Kapi has been on a mission of strength and conditioning since the injury," explained Gantt. "She is in the best physical shape of her career and has regained a starting spot as a result of her efforts. We'll be looking for her to provide a steadying influence through the course of the 2011 campaign."
Also crucial to success this season is juniors Kylie Edinger and Terran Poindexter, along with sophomores Meredith Crenshaw and Kristina Lavrisha.
Edinger, a middle blocker who is in her second year at Gonzaga, and Poindexter, an outside hitter, are the top two returning hitters from 2010; combing for 284 kills a season ago.
"Kylie is capable of a very dynamic level of play, but has had some challenges remaining healthy," stated Gantt. "We're hopeful we have formulated a recipe that will support and promote her availability. As our number one middle blocker we want and need her to be in the lineup for every match."
Along with being a strong offensive threat for Gonzaga, Poindexter also is an important defensive piece as she averaged 1.68 digs per set as a sophomore and tallied 36 blocks.
"This will be Terran's third season as a starter for the Zags, so she possesses experiences against all WCC opponents except newly joined BYU," said Gantt. "If we run our system well, she has the potential to score a lot of points this season. Most importantly, she has developed the skills to be more successful with out-of-system opportunities."
Crenshaw will shore up the middle with Edinger in 2011 while Lavrisha takes on the libero duties after the graduation of Allyson Powell.
"Meredith and Kristina both showed flashes of brilliance during the 2010 campaign and now their job is to transfer those experiences into a productive and sustained effort this fall," stated Gantt. "They will both be key pieces in our current group of student-athletes."
Crenshaw ended 2010 fourth on the team in blocks with 50 and Lavrisha was third in digs per set at 2.25 and had the second-highest dig total in a match with 29 against Idaho.
In preparation for the WCC season, the Bulldogs will play in three tournaments, beginning with this weekend's UniWyo Invited hosted by the University of Wyoming where they will face South Dakota, Wyoming, DePaul and Oregon State.
"There is solid competition in the Wyoming Tournament," stated Gantt. "Although no 2010 NCAA Tournament teams, Wyoming and Oregon State would seem to be the most capable of playing at a high level."
The Bulldogs first home action of the season is set for Sept. 2-3 when they host the Northwest Challenge. Participating in the tournament is Boise State, Portland State and Washington.
"Our goals the season are to compete at a level that allows us to be .500 or better in non-conference; which includes being fan friendly and enjoying more competitive success in the Martin Centre; which starts with the Northwest Challenge," explained Gantt.
Gonzaga is looking to improve on their 4-27 overall mark in 2010 and its 1-13 record in conference.
Other Thoughts from Gantt:
On returning redshirt junior Mengya Wang: "Mengya will be our back-up setter this season after last season's redshirt opportunity. She has done a very good job of understanding our system of play and continues to amaze us with her production as an-English-as a second language student-athlete. She will surely contribute in some capacity this fall."
On redshirt freshman Hannah Deede and Kennedy Wesley: "Hannah and Kennedy are crucial members of the team and they will be asked to take on the challenging role of coming off the bench. As non-starters, they have to be ready to go with short notice, and have to perform very well immediately upon entering the match."
On lone newcomer Maggie Yamamoto: "Maggie is the sole freshman on the competitive roster this fall. She will be asked to help in a defensive capacity that will necessitate a quick understanding of our system."
On his staff: "I really like the personality of our staff and will be looking for us to grow to another level of cohesiveness this fall. Allen Allen begins his third cycle in the program; his second as the first assistant. He brings a wealth of volleyball knowledge to the mix and has really elevated our recruiting visibility and credibility. I look for his effort to really begin impacting the program this cycle, and continue to push into new horizons in the future. Because of family dynamics, 5-year assistant coach Abby Bennett has transitioned into the Athletics Development office. Diane Pascua, former GU player and volunteer assistant coach will fill that void as the second assistant. Diane has played on the AVP and FIVB tour, and was involved with club volleyball in Southern California prior to joining us as a volunteer assistant last spring. We will fill the void at the volunteer assistant coach position with Austin Zimmerman, former Cheney high school stand out. We are fortunate Austin chose not to return to Europe where she has played professionally since her graduation from the University of Colorado in 2007."­
