Spring Break
Progress shown during 2007
Although consistent play was missing at times, OSU volleyball moved up in tough conference
Casey Grogan
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Sports
As players progressed in the preseason, junior Ashley Evans was learning on the job a new position as she moved from setter to libero. Joining her on the court starting for OSU was setter K.C. Walsh, a junior transfer from Loyola Marymount. Walsh got off to a very strong start, and despite losing her starting job midway through the season, led the team with 791 assists.
The Beavers started the Pac-10 season with a victory over Washington State, giving them a one-up on last season's squad. The early victory was not enough to spark OSU as they surrendered losses in 18 straight games before shocking then-No. 4 UCLA in five games.
"We had our ups and downs like every team does," Evans said. "We are in the best conference in the nation. Every night we were battling top ten teams, not top 25 but top 10."
After the UCLA match, Walsh surrendered the starting setter position to Camilla Ah-Hoy. The sophomore from Hawaii stepped into the role, finally healthy from an ACL injury earlier in her career, and excelled, passing out 468 assists.
"I think every year I have been here there has been a major change like that," Murray said. "In the beginning, K.C. did an awesome job just like at the end Camilla did an awesome job."
For the second straight season, sophomore outside hitter Rachel Rourke led the Beavers in kills with 505. She earned honorable mention all-conference despite opponents being ready for the Australian. On the front line, Rourke was joined by freshman honorable mention all-conference outside hitter Jill Sawatzky. She finished her first year with 332 kills and was successful on defense as Pac-10 schools picked on her inexperience.
"I am glad I got to start every match, and I think I earned it," Sawatzky said. "I knew I was going to get picked on, I am the freshman."
Evans led the OSU defense in the backcourt, and her 459 digs places her atop the single season and top 10 list for juniors at OSU. The total for Evans also ranks her as No. 3 all-time for digs as a Beaver regardless of class.
Liskevych is ready to lead the Beavers into the offseason as the volleyball team prepares for the spring season.
"We need a renewed commitment from our players" Liskevych said. "We are going to work hard in the winter, spring and summer. I look at the season as a glass half full. We had positives, but also have a long way to go."
The Beavers started the Pac-10 season with a victory over Washington State, giving them a one-up on last season's squad. The early victory was not enough to spark OSU as they surrendered losses in 18 straight games before shocking then-No. 4 UCLA in five games.
"We had our ups and downs like every team does," Evans said. "We are in the best conference in the nation. Every night we were battling top ten teams, not top 25 but top 10."
After the UCLA match, Walsh surrendered the starting setter position to Camilla Ah-Hoy. The sophomore from Hawaii stepped into the role, finally healthy from an ACL injury earlier in her career, and excelled, passing out 468 assists.
"I think every year I have been here there has been a major change like that," Murray said. "In the beginning, K.C. did an awesome job just like at the end Camilla did an awesome job."
For the second straight season, sophomore outside hitter Rachel Rourke led the Beavers in kills with 505. She earned honorable mention all-conference despite opponents being ready for the Australian. On the front line, Rourke was joined by freshman honorable mention all-conference outside hitter Jill Sawatzky. She finished her first year with 332 kills and was successful on defense as Pac-10 schools picked on her inexperience.
"I am glad I got to start every match, and I think I earned it," Sawatzky said. "I knew I was going to get picked on, I am the freshman."
Evans led the OSU defense in the backcourt, and her 459 digs places her atop the single season and top 10 list for juniors at OSU. The total for Evans also ranks her as No. 3 all-time for digs as a Beaver regardless of class.
Liskevych is ready to lead the Beavers into the offseason as the volleyball team prepares for the spring season.
"We need a renewed commitment from our players" Liskevych said. "We are going to work hard in the winter, spring and summer. I look at the season as a glass half full. We had positives, but also have a long way to go."
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Comments by registered users are approved by default.