Scott BresslerSeptember 14. The lone match on this date has the potential to foreshadow Washington University’s postseason play. That evening, the Bears, currently ranked fourth face poll Juniata College, who defeated the Red and Green’s 2006 team (38-2, 12-0 UAA) twice, including in the national championship game.
The make-up of the team has changed a lot in the past year. Defensive specialist and team leader Amy Bommarito as well as middle hitter standout Whitney Smith, a two-time All-American, both graduated in May. A second star in the middle and two-time All-American, senior Emilie Walk, is out for the year with a chronic back injury.
Even with these huge losses, Wash. U.’s national reputation as a volleyball powerhouse allows for a deep bench and a deep recruiting pool.
“We showed several ‘flashes of brilliance’ during our Megascrimmage on Sunday, and that makes us very optimistic,” said eighth-year head coach Rich Luenemann. “The pieces are there. We just have to make them fit into the puzzle.”
The team does return several key players from last season including the captain triumvirate of junior All-American Nikki Morrison and seniors Haleigh Spencer, last year’s UAA player of the year, and Kathy Leeper.
Morrison and Spencer, the team’s starting right side and outside hitter, respectively, from last season, look to continue to lead the team to success. Juniors Audra Janak, an All-American setter, and outside hitter Alli Alberts round out the rest of last year’s returning starters. Senior Ellen Bruegge, a staple from last season’s bench, moves to the middle this season. Regional freshman of the year Vicki Blood returns as Janak’s very capable back-up. Junior Ali Crouch will most likely see an increase in playing time on the outside.
As always, freshmen will look to contribute to the team. Ali Hoffman is the most likely candidate to hit the spotlight first, taking on Bommarito’s old position as the libero. Spencer, Alberts and sophomore Laura Brazeal will also be taking on larger ball control roles.
“Ali [Hoffman] has been particularly impressive,” said Spencer. “She reads defenses very well.”
The eight-time national champion Bears undoubtedly have the schedule to prove that they are once again one of the nation’s top teams. Over the course of the season, Wash. U. will play eight of the teams ranked in the preseason poll along with another two receiving votes. Their schedule also features every one of the current top six teams. The real heat of the season will get underway at home September 7 and 8 at the Washington University National Invitational, where the Red and Green face second-ranked Wittenberg University along with two other ranked teams.
The highlight of the season will come the following weekend at the Teri Clemens Invitational. Not only do the Bears face arch-rival Juniata, the following day features a double-header against the University of La Verne and 2005 national champion University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, ranked sixth and third respectively. The highlight of the latter half of the season will be UAA round-robin play when the team faces chief conference rivals Emory and New York University.
“We need to play our game at the level that we can,” said Leeper, of how to defeat top teams. “We need to stay intense, focused, and consistent.”
As a program with a strong volleyball tradition, it is no surprise that it begins each season with the same goal-to win a national championship. These Bears have the correct mental attitude to do this.
“The girls like to work hard and compete,” said Spencer. “We like to play for each other and everyone will put the other players ahead of herself.”