Tournament Hopes Alive as T-Birds Down Bobcats

Women's Volleyball 8/14/2013 9:12:00 PM SUU Strategic Communication

SUU Volleyball Picked Ninth in Preseason Poll

CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah University women's volleyball enter 2013 with several fresh faces and many players switching positions. The question marks surrounding the team led to a ninth-place selection for the Thunderbirds in the annual Big Sky Conference preseason coaches poll released by the conference offices on Tuesday.

Portland State was selected by the coaches to finish first, earning 95 points and seven first-place votes. Idaho State followed with 83 points and two first-place votes with Northern Colorado (75), North Dakota (74) and Northern Arizona (59 points, two first-place votes) rounding out the top five. Eastern Washington (56), Sacramento State (49) and Montana State (37) finished ahead of the T-Birds in sixth through eighth, respectively, with Weber State (26) and Montana (23) finishing below in 10th and 11th.

The SUU roster has the most numbers on either side of the spectrum with four seniors and six freshmen making up 10 of the 15 roster spots. In addition, three of the four seniors: Kylie Schofield, Alissa Youart and Hailey Moore, will be playing different positions than they appeared in last season.

Schofield and Youart will move to outside hitter after playing on the right side and at libero in 2012. The duo will be looked upon to fill the shoes of graduated senior Analaine Mailoto who led the team in kills each of the past four seasons. Sophomore Mikayla Dunford will provide depth on the outside after playing in 18 matches last season.

"I don't really read into preseason polls," head coach Debby Baker said. "I think we were picked where we are because we lost two seniors that played really big for us last year."

The Thunderbirds will also look to replace a strong block in departed senior Cashaana Renfro who led the team at the net each of the past four seasons. Despite the loss of Renfro, Southern Utah's middles will be one of the deepest positions on the team in 2013 with three players returning with significant playing experience.

The group includes senior Lusia Angilau, junior Annie Stradling and sophomore Taylor Heine, with the trio representing more than 150 sets played last season. The middles will also include Pikake Laumauna, a freshman that appeared in Hawaii's high school all-star game last season.

The right side will feature a pair of newcomers at the position as senior Hailey Moore will move from outside and compete against freshman Ann Clappier for a starting spot. The move will mark the third position change for Moore as she has played middle blocker and outsider hitter during her time in Cedar City. Clappier will bring an Idaho state title to the table, after leading Pocatello's Century High School to the trophy last season.

"We have one of the best competitions on the team on the right side," Baker said. "Hailey and Ann are both great competitors and it is hard to name who will be starting for us at the position when the season starts."

Southern Utah also has a strong competition at libero where sophomore Jenna Bradfield and freshman Sariah Pelaez are fighting for the starting spot. Bradfield played libero for the T-Birds during spring matches last season and really showed strong improvement. However, Pelaez brings a strong volleyball pedigree to the table as she is the younger sister of Mailoto and led her high school team in digs last season.

"Jenna has really stepped up and is looking strong on defense," Baker said. "But, Sariah is coming in and looking to get into the starting lineup as well. Those two are doing a great job of competing to show who will be the starting libero."

The Thunderbirds will be youngest at setter where a trio of athletes, all freshmen, will look to become the starter. The group includes Joanna Christenson (Honolulu, Hawaii), Chennin Benson (Parowan) and Britanie Bowers (California City, Calif.). The youth movement came by way of a knee injury to anticipated starter, junior Gabi Mirand, suffered during the spring.

Southern Utah will open its season on August 24 when the team host its annual Red/White Scrimmage in the Centrum Arena at 7:00 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Lusia Angilau: MB; 5' 9"; Senior

#22 Chennin Benson: OH; 6' 1"; Freshman

#24 Britanie Bowers: S; 5' 10"; Freshman

#8 Jenna Bradfield: DS; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#5 Joanna Christenson: S; 5' 8"; Freshman

#12 Ann Clappier: OP; 6' 2"; Freshman

#7 Mikayla Dunford: OH; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#13 Taylor Heine: MB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#16 Pikake Laumauna: MB; 6' 1"; Freshman

#10 Gabi Mirand: S; 6' 0"; Junior

#21 Hailey Moore: OP; 5' 9"; Senior

#23 Kylie Schofield: OH; 6' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#14 Lusia Angilau
: 5' 9"; Senior
: MB

#22 Chennin Benson
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: OH

#24 Britanie Bowers
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: S

#8 Jenna Bradfield
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: DS

#5 Joanna Christenson
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: S

#12 Ann Clappier
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: OP

#7 Mikayla Dunford
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: OH

#13 Taylor Heine
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MB

#16 Pikake Laumauna
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: MB

#10 Gabi Mirand
: 6' 0"; Junior
: S

#21 Hailey Moore
: 5' 9"; Senior
: OP

#23 Kylie Schofield
: 6' 2"; Senior
: OH