Aug. 23, 2010

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -

With a pair of fifth-year seniors leading the way, a core group of returning players with valuable experience under their belt, and a handful of talented newcomers eager to prove themselves at the next level, look for the 2010 LMU volleyball team, which is led by first-year head coach Tom Black, to turn heads in the competitive West Coast Conference.

Lion Tracks
LMU finished the 2009 season with a 12-17 overall record and a 3-11 mark in the West Coast Conference, placing seventh in the conference. The sub-.500 record marked the second in as many years for the Lions, and ultimately brought forth a coaching change within the program. The year began as well as anyone could have hoped, as the Lions opened 2009 with three straight victories, winning the 2009 Nike/Molten Invitational Championship. The Lions swept Grambling State in the opener on Friday night before earning a second consecutive sweep against Arkansas on Saturday morning. Playing host TCU for the Tournament Championship on Saturday night, the Lions took the match in four sets. After dropping back-to-back decisions at the UNLV tournament, LMU salvaged the trip with a win over host UNLV in the final match to run its record to 4-2. A pair of victories over Houston and Boise State preceded a loss to then-No. 20 UC Irvine as the Lions continued to play well early. With its record at 6-3 through the first nine matches, LMU went on yet another winning streak, defeating Cal State Northridge, Nevada and Cal State Bakersfield to improve to 9-3. Unfortunately for the Lions, the season took a turn for the worst, as they dropped eight straight matches after the strong start. LMU began the conference season with a 0-6 record before defeating San Francisco at home in four sets on October 24. After dropping two more matches the following weekend, the Lions defeated Gonzaga and Portland for their final two victories of the season. LMU lost each of the final four matches of the year.

A New Era Begins
Tom Black was hired as LMU's women's volleyball head coach on January 19th, 2010. Before coming to LMU, Black served five seasons at the helm of the UC San Diego women's volleyball program. In all, Black coached four UCSD players to All-America selections, including a trio in 2009. Moreover, the 2006 Tachikara/AVCA D-II Pacific Region Coach of the Year watched 20 of his student-athletes garner California Collegiate Athletic Association All-Conference recognition, capped by five selections in 2009. Over his five years, Black posted a career record of 115-29, good for a .799 winning percentage, and saw his teams ranked in the AVCA Top-25 of every week for his final four seasons. Black's 2009 Triton squad finished with an overall record of 29-3 and was ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation en route to a spot in the NCAA West Region semifinals. The Tritons' 2009 trip to the postseason marked the fourth consecutive visit over Black's five-year tenure at UC San Diego, while the No. 7 final national ranking was the second top-10 finish for Black at UCSD. Black also saw three of his student-athletes earn AVCA All-America recognition in his final year, including Sylvia Schmidt, who took home a CCAA Player of the Year award, the second such recipient under Black's tutelage.

The 2010 Lineup
Five newcomers join a program that returns 10 letterwinners and six starters from a year ago. The team will be without its two leading attackers from last year, but a number of young players return after earning valuable experience just a year ago. Combine the existing talent in the program with the exceptional newcomers, and the Lions should see battles for starting positions and an exciting and successful season in 2010.

Newcomers
Coach Black and his staff have both inherited and built a newcomer class featuring five new options in freshmen Paige Craine, Alyse Hensley, Betsi Metter and Taylor Scioscia, in addition to junior transfer Alex Ferraco.

Craine, a 2010 graduate of Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, Calif., was a three-year varsity letterwinner playing for Todd Garrett. She served as team captain in her final season, while also garnering All-City recognition as a junior and senior. Craine was also named All-CIF as a senior after claiming All-League honors in each of her final two campaigns as a Charger.

Hensley, a 2010 graduate of Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, Calif., earned a total of three varsity letters in volleyball, one from Maria Carrillo High School and the final two from Torrey Pines. Named All-League in all three seasons playing high school volleyball, Hensley helped Torrey Pines to the 2009 Avocado League Championship.

Metter, a 2010 graduate of Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Ariz., was a four-year varsity letterwinner playing for Molly West. A team captain as a junior and senior, Metter was named All-City and All-State after both of those campaigns. She left high school owning five Desert Vista school records, including that for career kills at 1,317. Selected 2008 Southeast Valley Player of the Year and Desert Vista Female Athlete of the Year, she led the state of Arizona and was second in the nation in digs with 708 as a junior. A two-time All-Central Region selection, she twice garnered a spot on the Arizona Republic All-Arizona Top-Six Team, a list of Arizona's top-six players regardless of school size.

Scioscia, a 2010 graduate of Louisville High School in Woodland Hills, Calif., was a four-year varsity letterwinner in high school. Scioscia served as team captain in her final season, and was named Team MVP as a junior and senior. After garnering second team All-Mission League honors in 2009, she was named honorable mention All-Area by the LA Daily News following her final campaign.

Ferraco, who carries junior eligibility after transferring into the program from Fairfield University, had a solid sophomore campaign, appearing in 79 sets, forging 73 kills and 50 total blocks. Ferraco tallied six kills, three blocks and three assists in the MAAC Championship semifinal against Marist on November 22. As a freshman, Ferraco appeared in 14 sets with 13 kills, six blocks, and five digs.

Outside Hitter
The coaching staff has been extremely pleased with the work ethic and improvement at the outside hitter position early this season, guided by the play of junior Jasmine Rankins and sophomore Felicia Arriola. "Jasmine is an all-around good player who possesses all the skills of the game," Black said. "Our coaching staff is confident in keeping her on the floor during all six rotations, as she can contribute in whatever spot she is in. Much like Jasmine, Felicia can do all the skills very well. She has been tremendous so far this year, and the two of them solidify the team with their ability to do all the skills." Rankins played in 75 sets and 27 of the 29 matches as a sophomore, posting 61 kills and hitting .108 over the course of the year. Arriola played in 61 sets for the Lions as a freshman, but missed nearly a month of the season due to injury. She finished the year with 28 kills on 111 attacks while posting 165 digs and three service aces

Opposite
In one of many battles to be won throughout the season at various positions in the starting lineup, senior Becky Stehling and freshman Hensley are neck-and-neck for the starting nod to begin the year playing opposite the setter. A deep position, the Lions can also turn to junior Emily Cheek for support at opposite. Stehling, who enters the season third in LMU's career record book with a .339 hitting percentage, was a constant on the floor as a junior, appearing in 105 of the 106 sets on the year. She posted 222 kills on 496 attacks for a team-best .312 hitting percentage. Active on the block, Stehling posted a team-high 70 total blocks last year, averaging a team-best .67 per set. A former middle blocker, Stehling is making the transition to opposite in her final year. "Becky can hit with power on the right, and has taken her skills on the block and utilized them well at her new position." Cheek played in just 16 sets as a sophomore due to injury last year. The native of Sequin, Texas collected seven kills on the year and teamed for four block assists, posting two in each of her final two matches played.

Setter
Sophomore Olivia Bailey is the frontrunner to earn the initial starts at the setter position in 2010, but Craine is challenging for time running the Lion attack. Bailey appeared in 41 sets for the Lions as a freshman, dishing-out 161 assists and collecting 22 kills from the setter position. The native of Dallas, Texas notched a season-high 45 assists versus then-No. 20 San Diego on October 1. "Olivia will return as our starting setter and she can do a number of things very well from the setter position," said Black. With regards to Craine, Black "has been extremely impressed with her work ethic and ability. She has gone above and beyond our expectations so far as a setter, and she is constantly pushing Olivia every day for time on the floor."

Libero
Lauren DeGrandmont is slated to start the season as LMU's libero for the second straight year. The junior from Portland, Ore. appeared in 101 sets and all 29 matches for the Lions as a sophomore. Working primarily at libero, she posted a team-best 248 digs at a rate of 2.46 per set. DeGrandmont managed a career-high 20 digs in back-to-back matches on August 29 at TCU and September 4 versus Idaho last year. Metter, a highly-touted recruit who has an unparalleled knack for the game, is also competing for time at the libero position. A threat from the outside as well, Metter is expected to find her way on the court at a number of positions. According to Black, "Betsi is a phenomenal server and passer, and gives the team a lot of depth right away as a freshman." Junior Diana Hiromoto and freshman Scioscia will also compete for time at libero. Hiromoto saw action in 64 sets as a sophomore, recording 84 digs and 11 assists. Constantly working hard and improving every day, Scioscia is described by Black as a "defensive whiz who goes hard in the back row and brings a solid serve."

Middle Blocker
In addition to the talented outside hitters for the Lions in 2010, LMU also has a strong attack from the middle of the court. Sophomore Kenna Crouse and senior Megan Nash are the frontrunners to patrol the middle for LMU this year, as both have impressed the coaching staff early this season. According to Black, "Kenna is a real good competitor with a great arm, and we've been working on getting her as available as possible so we can get her balls. Kenna plays hard and brings a lot of emotion to the court, and on top of her stellar ability on the block, she can score as well as anyone we have." Crouse played in 92 sets and 27 matches, including starting 16 as a freshman last year. She notched 192 kills and hit .210 over the course of the year, averaging 2.09 kills per set. Nash, who is in her fifth year at LMU, appeared in 103 sets and all 29 matches for the Lions in her junior season, starting in 27. She notched 88 kills while hitting .282. A strong defender, she posted 104 digs, including double-digit digs in each of her last three matches. Moreover, she totaled 63 blocks last year, including 15 block solos and 48 block assists, placing second on the team in each of those categories. "Megan plays the middle blocker position very well," Black said. "She is very aware of what we need to do as a blocking unit, and what she needs to do on every play. She performs well by herself, and also has the ability to make the other players around her better." Ferraco is yet another experienced option in the middle after transferring from Fairfield University. "We needed another middle blocker who could play and give us some stability in the middle, and we are very pleased with Alex's abilities so far."

2010 Schedule
Unlike previous seasons, LMU fans will have to get their dose of volleyball primarily during the West Coast Conference portion of the schedule. LMU has just nine home matches this year, including only two outside of the WCC. After the annual Alumnae Match on August 21, LMU does not play its first home match until September 24 versus Long Beach State.

Prior to the clash with the 49ers, LMU will open the 2010 season across town on August 27 at the 2010 Holiday Inn LA City Center Trojan Invitational hosted by USC. There, LMU will battle host USC on Friday before meeting Cal State Fullerton and Bucknell on Saturday. The Lions will then travel to Manhattan, Kan. to play host Kansas State, Georgia Tech and Oral Roberts from September 3-4. The first of back-to-back trips to Utah comes on September 10 as LMU hits the road to Provo, Utah for the BYU Molten Classic with matches scheduled against BYU, Wichita State and Houston. The next weekend, LMU will head to Logan, Utah to play Utah State, UC Riverside and Utah Valley.

After the tournament portion of the schedule is over, the Lions will stay on the road for one final match, this one pitting them against Cal State Northridge on September 21. Finally, after 13 road matches to start the year, LMU will return to the friendly confines of Gersten Pavilion to meet Long Beach State at 7 p.m. on September 24.

The West Coast Conference season kicks-off on September 30 when LMU travels to the Bay Area to play Santa Clara and San Francisco on the 30th and October 2, respectively. Returning to Southern California, LMU remains away from home, playing UC Irvine on October 8.

The Lions begin the first of two three-match homestands on October 9, hosting cross-town rival Pepperdine at 7 p.m. Portland and Gonzaga also come to town the very next week, visiting the Lions on October 14 and 16, respectively.

LMU will touch base in both Southern California and Northern California over the next week of the schedule, visiting San Diego on October 21 and Saint Mary's on October 23.

After San Francisco (October 28) and Santa Clara (October 30) make their annual visit to Gersten Pavilion, Cal State Bakersfield also travels to Los Angeles for a match against the Lions on November 4. The match against the Broncos on October 30 is slated to be LMU's DiG PiNK match for the 2010 season, benefitting the fight against breast cancer.

The final three road matches follow the match with the Roadrunners, as the Lions visit Pepperdine (November 6), Gonzaga (November 11) and Portland (November 13). The regular season also comes to a close shortly thereafter, as the Lions wrap-up conference play against Saint Mary's (November 18) and San Diego (November 20) at home. The season-finale against the Toreros will serve as the venue for LMU's annual Senior Day celebration.

In all, LMU will play 30 regular-season matches in 2010, including nine home matches and 21 on the road.