T HE 2003 L IONS In the upcoming volleyball season, Loyola Marymount will look to regain its rightful position atop the West Coast Conference volleyball standings. The Lions will rely heavily on senior firstteam all-conference selections Tiana Newsome and Kealani Kimball. Last year, LMU endured numerous injuries at key positions to post a 15-12 record, the program’s 13th straight winning campaign. After starting the season at 11-3, LMU began receiving votes in the AVCA Poll, but after injuries decimated the team, the Lions dropped nine of their 12 matches.
side hitter Sandy Krone could also make an immediate impact. Stratos concluded his 13th year at the helm of the Lion women’s volleyball program. In his time at LMU, Stratos has led the Lions to eight 20-win seasons and eight postseason appearances, including four consecutive from 1997-2000. Stratos has posted a career total of 262-123, for a .681 winning percentage, the highest in LMU volleyball history and second among current WCC coaches. In league action, he owns a record of 132-50, good for a .725 winning percentage. With 132
Sophomore middle blocker Dina DeBernardi and junior setter Nicole Oehlman will return to the Lion line-up after sustaining season-ending injuries a year ago. Along with veterans Jody Carlson, Michelle Look, and Krista Houseman and a talented group of newcomers, LMU will hope to return to the nation’s elite with another trip to the NCAA Tournament.
and junior campaigns. DeBernardi will return after sustaining a dislocated elbow last season. Before her injury, she was emerging as one of LMU’s best players. In a 3-0 win over Colorado on Sept. 7, she had the fifth highest hitting percentage in school history (.833, 10-0-12), setting a sophomore class record, previously held by former LMU All-American Sarah Noriega (.765) in 1995. DeBernardi returned to form during the Spring season and will be a force during the 2003 season, while Kelli Nerison also ended the Spring absolutely on fire. She was one of the major reasons the Lions will be able to enjoy so much success, including their win at the LMU Spring Invitational. Motton could find a home at either middle blocker or outside hitter, dependent on the outcome of the August twoa-day practices. Motton is a tremendous athlete with the potential of playing all three front-row positions.
Setters Oehlman was an AllWCC selection during her freshman and sophomore years, while earning AVCA All-Pacific Region 2003 Loyola Marymount Volleyball Team “Last year, we honors during her rookie had to deal with a Top (l to r): Michelle Look, Sandy Krone, Dina DeBernardi, Jody Carlson, Krista Houseman, Kelli campaign. Already fifth Nerison, Roxanne Orsini, Tiana Newsome, Jania Motton, Kealani Kimball. lot of obstacles, but all-time on the LMU Bottom (l to r): Kacey Knauf, Cat Svorinich, Courtnay Leonard, Elizabeth Samson, Megan Wooton, we were able to career assist chart with Jacene Dimson, Tiffiny Self, Nicole Oehlman. battle through and the second highest career still win 15 matches,” LMU head coach career conference victories, Stratos ranks average (12.94 apg), she is one of the betSteve Stratos said. “It was a great learning second among current WCC coaches. ter setters in the nation. Oehlman will be experience for the team. The learning pushed for the starting position by curve was certainly raised and we’ll be Middle Blockers Knauf. The 5-8 freshman is an outstandbetter for it.” Newsome will solidify her position as ing athlete and has the potential of helpthe school’s most dominant blocker ever. ing this team immediately. The Lions will have another tremen- Already owning the career mark for averdous freshman class to aid the process. aging 1.34 blocks per game, Newsome Outside Hitters Leading the way will be last year’s needs just 54 more blocks to surpass The Lions will have a deep pool of outCalifornia High School Player of the Year Julie Greer’s (1992-95) school career side hitters to select from. After being the Jania Motton. After earning the honor record of 359. With 33 more block assists starting middle blocker for the past two from Student Sport Magazine, Motton was and 27 solos, Newsome will also own the seasons, Kimball will move to the outside also named an All-American. Also join- career marks in those categories as well. for her final year as a Lion. One of the ing the Lions will be Courtnay Leonard, Newsome already owns program top real physical forces in the conference, who was named the top senior libero in marks for the most blocks in a match and Kimball is extremely athletic and along the state by the same publication. in a single season, after being among the with DeBernardi, will serve as a team Freshman setter Kacey Knauf and out- nation’s top 20 during both her freshman captain. Kimball earned first-team all-
18
L
O
Y
O
L
A
M
A
R
Y
M
O
U
N
T
V
O
L
L
E
Y
B
A
L
L