On the heels of an exciting and record-setting season, the Bulldog volleyball team holds high expectations for continued success during the 2007 campaign.  Last season, Redlands finished third in the highly-competitive Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) and moved onto the NCAA Championships for the first time since 1993, advancing farther than ever before with a Sweet 16 appearance.  This season, the Bulldogs welcome back a hungry and dedicated crew that is ready to improve upon last season’s strong showing.  Combine that with a skilled group of newcomers and the return of two-time All-American Rachaé Bell as an assistant coach, the 17th-ranked Bulldogs possess the tools to build upon their historical run of a year ago.

“We’re very excited about the upcoming season,” stated Head Coach Mari Burningham, who begins her fourth year at the helm.  “The returnees have worked very hard in the off-season and we look forward to the pay-offs of their commitment.”

After graduating four key contributors, Redlands expects a lot from seniors Lori Nakamura (Honolulu, HI) and Cassie McEuen (Mountain View, CA) who look to close out their four-year careers in style.  As the top outside hitter, Nakamura leads the returnees in kills with 226 and offers versatility as an attacker with the capability of making an impact from anywhere on the court.  McEuen makes the move to middle blocker and brings agile movement across the net and creative options as a hitter.  Besides their volleyball skills, both players must step up their leadership abilities on and off the court.

Beyond the seniors, the Bulldogs must rely on their up-and-coming players to step into larger roles this season.  Sophomore Jordann Tanner (Vista, CA) gained significant minutes as a rookie, playing primarily on the right side.  She recorded 110 kills and 25 service aces in spot duty.  Her offensive approach as a south paw and her fiery attitude prove invaluable to the team’s success.  Count on sophomore Ali Massei (San Carlos, CA) to continue vying for time on the court.  Despite her smaller stature, she packs quite a punch, both as an attacker and as a tenacious defender.  In addition, sophomore Katy Douglass (Roseville, CA) provides viable options as an outside hitter due to her aggressive swing and power.

Junior Ashley Williams (Sunland, CA) returns as the team’s top setter after dishing out 397 assists for the second-most on the team while accruing more than 100 digs on the season.  Her abilities continue to develop under the direction of Assistant Coach Tasha Poduska.  Also mixing into the setting duties, Redlands likes the look of multi-faceted sophomore Kelina Smith (Kurtistown, HI).  Although she lacks game experience, she offers poise and skill to run the offense for the Bulldogs.  The team also expects sophomore Courtney Rood (Beaverton, OR) to vie for playing opportunities.  After recovering from a season-ending injury during her rookie campaign, she returns to action to offer added depth in this position.

Defensively, Redlands anticipates excellent contributions from sophomore Lauren Harding (Altadena, CA) and junior Dory Baga (Aiea, HI).  Both players saw significant minutes last year and bring the skills needed to make a difference on the court.  Last season, Harding racked up the second-most digs and aces with 264 and 50, respectively.  Baga followed close behind with 209 digs to go along with 31 aces.  Harding’s competitive nature and Baga’s relentless effort combine for a lethal combination on defense.

Equally important, the Bulldogs look forward to the invaluable contributions of the incoming class of rookies.  Count on freshman Jackie Hamilton (Loma Linda, CA) to earn a spot on the floor as a talented outside hitter.  She offers excellent athleticism, passion for the game, and a well-defined high school career to build upon.  Freshman Megan Phillips (Vista, CA) hails from the same program as teammate Tanner and boasts the excellent base of skills to move into the starting role at middle blocker.  The team also counts on freshmen Kirby McCord (Huntington Beach, CA) and Liz Figeroid (Sacramento, CA) to quickly develop their collegiate games and serve as distinct possibilities from the middle. 

In addition, freshmen Chelsea Arcaris (Vista, CA) and Kortney Watring (Riverside, CA) provide added depth to the Bulldogs’ defensive options.  Arcaris offers versatility and intensity from the back row while Watring brings a true desire to learn while adjusting to the Redlands system.  Finally, freshman Heather Anthony (Redwood City, CA) and Kirsten Kimbrough (Lincoln, CA) mix into the competitive group of rookies.

Besides the talent of the team, the Bulldogs rely on their difficult schedule to best prepare them for the conference and beyond.  The team faces 30 scheduled matches this season, with eight days taken up by tournament-style competition.  Beyond the always-challenging SCIAC, Redlands faces a variety of non-conference opponents, including Cal State East Bay, UC Santa Cruz, Elmhurst College (IL), Chapman University and The Master’s College, to test its abilities on a national level.

“You have to play the best to be the best,” commented Coach Burningham.  “Based on last year, we have set a high standard for ourselves.  The team is committed to going after our goal of making the postseason again.”

With a talented core of returnees, a hungry class of rookies, along with a committed crew of coaches, the Redlands volleyball team possesses the personnel to create success during the 2007 season.  Dedicated to out-working their opponents and unleashing their passion for volleyball, the Bulldogs promise to provide another exciting season full of powerful hitting, tenacious digging, and all-out enthusiasm.