The 2005 season offers opportunity and excitement for the Bulldog volleyball team due to the return of 9 veteran players who grew under Head Coach Mari Burningham in her inaugural year.  Last season, the Redlands squad compiled a solid 12-10 overall record while earning an 8-6 mark in conference competition.  Considering the learning curve required for Burningham’s cutting edge philosophies, the Bulldogs accomplished a great deal in 2004, including numerous top-ten marks on the Redlands school records.  However, with hard work and dedication, the multi-talented team looks to improve upon last year’s results and continue to make a name for Bulldog Volleyball.

Leading the crew of returnees, the Bulldogs boast two seniors who enter their fourth year of competition with various skills to set the tone for the team.  Senior Sara Monahan (Des Moines, WA) supplies a fiery spirit while offering superior vertical jumping abilities as a middle hitter.  During the spring, she competed for the up-and-coming Bulldog women’s track and field team, showing her diversity as a sprinter.  Working to lead the offense, senior Diana Lautenberger (San Francisco, CA) brings excellent setting skills to the court.  Following three years of developing experience, she looks forward to wrapping up her collegiate career with a positive finish.

As for the juniors, Redlands welcomes the return of a large class of competitors.  With two All-SCIAC accolades under her belt, junior Shelley Langford (Newport Beach, CA) anticipates another outstanding season as one of the team’s top hitters.  Last year, she led the squad with a .257 hitting percentage, primarily from the middle position.  Due to her long arms, quickness and athleticism, she supplies excellent blocking skills, shown by her team-leading 54 total blocks.  Junior Rachae’ Bell (Davenport, WA) earned First Team All-SCIAC honors last season, due to her incredible ball control and digging abilities as the team’s top libero.  The Bulldogs anticipate more great contributions from her, as she adds to her career mark of 577 digs in just two years, which places her on the school’s top-ten lists.  Equipped with a left-handed swing from the right side, Redlands looks forward to the further development of junior Lizzy Ford (Seattle, WA).  Standing at 5’11”, she brings a strong reach while providing a diverse attack for the Bulldogs.  Mixing into the setting corps, junior Jessica Walker (Redlands, CA) possesses the ability to run a solid offense while also contributing with a powerful attack of her own.

The sophomore class for the Bulldogs boasts three offensive contributors who gained excellent experience during their rookie seasons.  Revealing her well-rounded skills, sophomore Lori Nakamura (Honolulu, HI) leads all returnees in kills with 217 and service aces with 21.  This outside hitter boasts amazing athleticism which enables her to jump and move well throughout the court.  In addition, she earned significant playing time and quickly developed her collegiate game.  With added training and confidence, Nakamura looks to make her mark on the conference in 2005.  Also an outside hitter, sophomore Cassie McEuen (Mountain View, CA) gained excellent experience as a freshman and looks forward to further developing her skills on offense and defense.  Providing additional depth as a middle hitter, sophomore Emily Klarer (El Cajon, CA) brings a highly-competitive nature along with a determination to always improve.  After a year of training with the Bulldogs, she anticipates another season of growth and success.  The Bulldogs also welcome freshman transfer Lacee Gentry (Albuquerque, NM), who looks to mix into the setting ranks.  Despite not playing last year, she readily returns to the court with a coach-able attitude and eagerness to learn the Redlands system.

Although this year’s edition of Bulldog Volleyball lacks in numbers compared to last season’s squad of 18 players, Redlands anticipates the benefits of being “lean and mean.”

“We’ll have to work together to be successful,” commented Burningham.  “Everyone will contribute and we’ll gain from that close-knit, family atmosphere.”

As always, the Bulldogs strive to move up the conference ladder by improving upon last year’s tie for fifth place.  To prepare for the tough SCIAC opponents, including the University of La Verne, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges and Cal Lutheran University, Redlands opens the season earlier than last year with a tournament at Concordia University in Irvine.  The Bulldogs look forward to opportunities to excel in their highly competitive matches against NAIA opponents, including #2-ranked Fresno Pacific University.

“The tournament will be a great test and tool for us,” Burningham stated.  “We’ll know early exactly what we need to do to make our goals a reality.”

In addition, Redlands faces the always-talented Colorado College and local rival Chapman University in non-conference match-ups.  With a challenging schedule, the Bulldogs will fight to improve throughout the season, working to end the year with solid wins against SCIAC opponents.

Due to hard work and a commitment to Burningham’s philosophies, the team’s future appears bright and exciting.  With the leadership and skills of all players, Redlands volleyball looks forward to improving upon last season in order to make a name for the Bulldogs.