Three years ago, the women's volleyball program at Westminster College was almost nonexistent. Veteran volleyball coach Kim Norman was given the task of resurrecting a team that went 1-29 the year she was hired.
After an impressive regular season and a trip to the NAIA Region I Volleyball Tournament, consider Norman's rebuilding mission accomplished. The Griffins finished the year with an overall record of 23-11 and a 12-2 conference mark. They won a share of the Frontier Conference Championship and garnered a top-25 national ranking.
Norman's team could have taken its record-setting season to new heights by winning the regional tournament, but the Griffins fell short in the semifinals, losing to the University of Great Falls in five hard-fought games. The Griffins were then eliminated from the regional tournament after being swept by Albertson College.
"I told my kids 20 minutes after the match ... we're knocking on the door," Norman said. "We're right there, we just lack experience."
Heading into the school's first-ever appearance in a regional tournament, the Griffins were the fifth seed. In the opening round, team MVP Angie Johnson recorded 25 kills as Westminster upset second-seeded Southern Oregon.
Johnson, a former Highland High volleyball player, led the way as the Griffins upset the Raiders in five games, 24-30, 30-14, 34-32, 26-30 and 18-16.
Last week, two Westminster players were named to the NAIA all-region volleyball team. Johnson and freshman Allison Culp made the first team as outside hitters, and sophomore Monica Shorts was named an honorable mention as a setter.
Norman says that next season the Griffins may be able to finish what they started. With everyone returning and an impressive list of recruits joining them, Norman believes the Griffins will reach the national tournament for the first time ever.
"Experience is a brutal teacher," she said. "We don't graduate anyone. We're going to be at the dance."
As founder of Intermountain Volleyball (since 1990), Norman has helped generate interest in volleyball as a club sport. The downtown facility has 12 courts and has served as a developmental league for junior players trying to get to the next level.
"We have the athletes in Utah that can play," Norman said. "Let's give them the opportunity to play."
The coach is most famous for her connection with Olympian Logan Tom, whom she coached while at Highland. But other great players are coming up because of their experiences at the club level.
"I have kids that are playing all over the state ... Utah, BYU, UVSC," Norman said. "It's been fun to sit back and see the influence we've had."
Westminster also found quality players that went through the junior program. The influx of talent has helped the school turn the corner this season and most likely into the future.
Utah connection at Westminster
Name Class High School
Bree Riet Junior North Sanpete
Tahnie Taylor Freshman Taylorsville
Allison Culp Freshman Clearfield
Monica Shorts Sophomore Carbon
Fa'alua Lobendahn Junior Provo
Angie Johnson Junior Highland
Brittany Trabert Junior East
Brittani Wilardson Sophomore Richfield
E-mail: tpeterson@desnews.com