The Barometer Online

Issue date: 8/13/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Nick Lilja Senior Ashley Evans passes the ball during one of the opening practices for the OSU Volleyball team as head coach Taras Liskevych looks on.

Oregon State head volleyball coach Taras Liskevych sat back in his chair after practice Monday afternoon. The Beaver volleyball team opened fall camp the day before and Liskevych had a chance to reflect on his first impressions.

"This is the first year that our two captains have been with me from the start; our [first] class that we recruited are juniors," Liskevych said. "That's big."

The two captains, seniors Ashley Evans and Natalie Hooper were named co-captains last week.

It's a lot easier, Liskevych said, to coach players that you have recruited. The players know what is expected of them, and there are no surprises - for either party. He seemed excited about the opportunities that are ahead.

"This is the best physical shape any team has been in since I've been here," said Liskevych, who is now in his fourth season leading Oregon State. "And the attitude and effort has been outstanding."

Legendary Gill Coliseum was uncomfortably warm and muggy Monday afternoon, but that didn't keep the players from staying focused. They have been lifting and training all summer in hopes of making a move in the Pac-10 this season after wins at No. 10 Hawaii and No. 24 UCLA last season. The players spent the summer together and hope to translate that cohesiveness to the court.

"Everybody is really excited to get on the court and start playing," Evans said. "We have a majority of the girls coming back, except two players, and we've added two. Betsy (Devich) is with us now and Brecht (Gijsbertsen) has been here all summer."

Junior outside hitter Bree Knitter added: "It feels like we have the whole team back, like we aren't slowing down at all."

The team returns with 11 players from last season. That includes all but one starter, K.C. Walsh. Adding to the squad this season are freshman defensive specialist Devich, junior middle blocker Gijsbertsen and junior defensive specialist Brittney Belshe, who redshirted her true junior season.

Continued...

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