AUGUST 18, 2014 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS
SPORTS B2
GV VOLLYBALL TEAM POISED TO MAKE LEAP
Lakers bring back 5 of 6 starters, trio of All-Americans GVL : ARCHIVE
BY JAY BUSHEN SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM
TAKING STEPS: Senior Abby Aiken jumps to spike the volleyball during a match in 2013. The Lakers look to have another strong season this year.
prcgr.com – Grand Rapids lpcenters.com – Lakeshore
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he high-flying Grand Valley State University volleyball team is locked and loaded with returning talent and more than ready to take the next step in 2014. GVSU, which posted a 31-4 record last season en route to its first conference championship since 2008, garnered top honors in the 2014 GLIAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll released on Thursday after receiving seven of the eight possible first-place North Division votes. Last year’s first-place finish could certainly be duplicated this time around, as the Lakers return five of six starters and a dozen letter winners from the 2013 squad. The 2013 GLIAC Coach of the Year, GVSU head coach Deanne Scanlon, said expectations are high entering her 20th season with the team. “We’ve got a lot of pieces in place to have another great season, so we’re just really going to focus on two things,” Scanlon said. “One is being a great teammate. The team is this big entity, but it’s made up of separate people so we’re going to focus on everyone’s role and their dynamic on the team. Two is the most important part, and that’s having a good time.” The good times were plentiful for the happy-go-lucky Lakers in 2013. Prior to its five-set loss to Ferris State University in the regional championship in Allendale, GVSU compiled a 21-game win streak which included a stretch of 21 straight sets without a loss. The Lakers swept their opponent 16 times, were 15-1 away from home and had a 17-1 GLIAC record. “Yes, we did all of that good stuff last year but it’s not how we
wanted to finish, so we’ll have a inserted into the starting lineup little chip on our shoulders,” se- early last season, and her abilnior outside hitter Abby Aiken ity to keep opponents guessing said. “We’re pretty confident in was a key advantage for GVSU. what we can do this year, but “Kaitlyn is someone who we’re not overlooking anyone.” can take over a game and keep Aiken, the 2013 GLIAC a defense honest,” Scanlon said. Player of the Year and DaWolters could also be lookktronics Midwest Region ing to set up a familiar face at Player of the Year, will be right-side hitter. looking to build on an imHer twin sister, senior transpressive season in which she fer Kourtney Wolters, is one of racked up 427 kills, 413 digs the players expected to compete and 67 total blocks. for the final starting spot. Junior She is one of three returning Jessica Majerle, sophomore CarAll-Ameriley Gross and cans – which redshirt freshGVSU has man Carley never had – Serowkey are along with also in the mix. senior setDefenter Kaitlyn sively, the Wolters and team will rely junior middle heavily on blocker Kasenior libero leigh Lound. Christina Lound Canepa. The and reliD a kt ronics able senior All-Midwest starter Ally Region First ABBY AIKEN Simmons Team honwill have to GRADE: oree ranks SENIOR play well in- POSITION: sixth all-time OUTSIDE HITTER side when in school GLIAC & Daktronics Midwest teams key Region Player of the Year, history with in on Aiken Daktronics All-American (2nd 1,198 career and junior team) digs, and has outside hita knack for ter Betsy Ronda, a former making her job look easy. GLIAC Freshman of the Year Despite high expectations, who battled injuries in 2013. Canepa said the Lakers won’t “Kaleigh really came into be getting ahead of themselves her own – you can’t leave her in 2014. alone in the middle – and Betsy “We’re all really excited bounced back and had a great and obviously we have big spring for us,” Scanlon said. goals, but we’re making sure “Having those two dynamic we get the little things down hitters on the outside is going to first before we look ahead to be a tough thing to stop.” tournament play,” she said. Aiken and Ronda have The team begins its 2014 the potential to lead a lethal campaign on Sept. 5 at the Laker attack offensively, but Oredigger Classic in Golden, the group’s productivity all Colo. The Lakers will take on starts with the offensive cat- four non-conference oppoalyst at setter. nents in the two-day event, Wolters was an assist-pro- starting with Minnesota State ducing machine after being University Moorhead.
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