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Scots volleyball - a thrill ride Release Date:
August 30, 2007
MONMOUTH, Ill.
– The best way
to describe last fall’s volleyball season at Monmouth College was
that it was a rollercoaster ride. There were several highs and lows
throughout the Fighting Scots’ 17-16 campaign, including a 9-2 start
and a pair of clutch late-season victories that qualified Monmouth
for the postseason.
Judging by their returning talent, the thrills should continue
for this year’s Scots, and coach Kari Shimmin hopes that the
maturity of her group will eliminate most of the inconsistent play.
The Scots boast four returning senior starters, though one will be
missing when play begins this weekend. Hitter Jessica Travis (280
kills) will be out four to six weeks with an ankle injury. When
Travis returns, she will be joining three-time All-MWC middle hitter
Kendra James (352 kills, 121 blocks), two-time all-league setter
Colleen Wilkin (1.073 assists) and hitter Ashley Yeast (264 kills).
Shimmin is counting on her seniors’ leadership to put Monmouth back
among the elite teams in the Midwest Conference.
"I think last year’s disappointing conference record will
motivate our women this year," said Shimmin. "Last year we had the
toughest non-conference schedule since I’ve been here and I expect
our returners to be extremely focused."
Right behind that quartet of seniors in terms of experience are
two-year starters Crystal Myers, who the veteran coach says is
"playing her best volleyball" in the preseason, and Amanda Boonstra.
Myers, the team’s libero, led the Scots in digs (568), while
Boonstra chipped in 172 kills. Waiting in the wings for the Scots
are veterans such as hitters Anna Damos, Samantha Robinson, Rachel
Leffelman and the "surprising" Tanesha Hughes.
"Tanesha has really increased her level of play," said Shimmin,
who added, "We’ve got a tremendous group of returners who are in
great shape, both physically and mentally."
The Scots’ sophomore group is loaded with talent, too, as
witnessed by setter Alexis Keller, who split time with Wilkin last
season, allowing Monmouth to go to a 6-2 offense. Defensive
specialist Sara Schoon is another underclassman Shimmin is counting
on to provide the knockout punch with quick reflexes and superb ball
handling skills.
In terms of newcomers, Shimmin calls Alyson Schroeter a "perfect
fit," and she is also high on freshmen setters Alisha Shadid and
Laura Anton.
Now in her 10th season at the Scots helm, Shimmin calls this
year’s league the "most balanced in terms of parity" she has seen.
The Scots, who are coming off a sixth-place finish in the MWC, were
one of five teams to receive a first-place vote in the preseason
poll.
If the Scots can feed on their experience and find motivation in
last year’s disappointments, look for the team to resemble a
zero-gravity thrill ride instead of a teeter totter.
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