Utahns will have a little more stake in the BYU women's volleyball team throughout the 2009 season as nine players from the Beehive State are on the roster, more than the Cougars have sported since the 2003 season.
And the players from Utah won't be playing sideline roles this season either as the team will obviously be led by 6-foot-5 former Davis High star Kayla Walker, who achieved all-Mountain West Conference honors last season by knocking down 285 kills and leading the team in that category.
The right-side hitter led the conference in several categories, but her skills come from more than just athletic feats.
"She knows how to push her teammates, and she just has so many intangibles. Her energy is great," said second-year BYU coach Shay Goulding about her obvious go-to player this season.
Setter Kiana Rogers and Walker have had a season under their belts and have gotten to know each other's games much better, leading Goulding to believe the two will be making much better connections this year on the court.
The entire team is hoping to be able to make much better connections this season after some getting-to-know-you problems last year between new players, a new coach and veterans not always mixing well helped lead the Cougars to a 14-12 overall record and a 7-9 MWC record.
"This group is all in the same boat, paddling in the same direction," said Goulding with a measure of excitement. "We struggled with that last year a little bit as though everyone was in the same boat, we were not all paddling the same way all the time."
Now, with the first year behind them and solid improvement in the team chemistry, Goulding has hopes that the extremely athletic roster will not have to rely just on their athleticism any longer. She notes that the team will have plenty of options offensively and will run a fast and dynamic game.
Lone Peak graduate Christie Carpenter, who is coming off a redshirt season, gives the team some offensive firepower.
"I redshirted her last year to save her for the next three years," admits Goulding, who had Rachel Dyer and Bryn Porter pounding the ball for the team last year, leaving little room for Carpenter to show off her skills. But with the graduation of those two stars, the youngsters are going to get more time.
Lehi graduate Christina Measom came on strong late last season. Her position is not set, but the hard-hitting high jumper is a utility player that needs to be on the front row as much as possible in Goulding's game-plan.
Yet another Utahn, Granger High's Casey Spreredon Thurston, is another utility player that will most likely play outside hitter. She also has some great leaping ability and is known for getting shots up over the block for key kills.
Camilla Phillips, who played a couple of years for Salt Lake Community College, is also expected to provide some firepower.
Two liberos are vying for time in Pleasant Grove's Morgan Lloyd Sorensen and Melissa Lake. Freshman Heather Hannemann out of Lone Peak High School, is also a solid backcourt star in addition to some setting skills.
"She's looking really good, and she's a fantastic addition to the team even when she isn't on the court," said Goulding. "She comes from a great program and knows how to win. She comes in with high expectations."
Another incoming freshman, Kathryn LeCheminant out of Layton High, is also developing quickly.
e-mail: jolsen@desnews.com