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Women's Volleyball: Kim Hill Named Pepperdine's First Ever Finalist for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
Oct. 12, 2011
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Ten NCAA women’s volleyball student-athletes who excel both on and off the court were selected as finalists today for the 2011 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, including Pepperdine’s own Kim Hill. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 30 candidates announced in August. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to determine the winner.
Hill (Portland, Ore./Portland Christian HS) is Pepperdine’s first ever top-10 finalist for the award. Miranda Ayim of women’s basketball and baseball’s Nick Gaudi both were honored as top-30 candidates during the 2009 season.
Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, will announce the Senior CLASS Award winner during the 2011 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship, which will be played December 15 and 17 in San Antonio, Texas.
Hill, a two-time AVCA All-American honorable mention, has continued to shine in 2011. She currently leads the Waves and ranks second in the West Coast Conference with a 3.71 kills/set average. The senior earned her second-consecutive WCC Player of the Week award on Oct. 3. Hill catapulted the Waves to a 3-2 victory over Saint Mary’s on Sept. 29 with a career-high 25 kills. The week prior, she averaged 3.67 kills/set versus both Portland and Gonzaga. She tallied a team-best 33 total kills in two matches, highlighted by her 10th kill of the contest versus Portland which counted as career kill #1,000.
Pepperdine (11-5, 5-0 WCC) plays at Santa Clara on Thursday, Oct. 13, before a road match at San Francisco on Saturday, Oct. 15.
Women’s Volleyball Finalists
Rachael Adams, Middle Blocker, Texas
Lane Carico, Outside Hitter, Miami (Fla.)
Kanani Danielson, Outside Hitter, Hawaii
Kaylie Gibson, Libero, North Carolina
Sarah Havel, Middle Blocker, College of Charleston
Kim Hill, Opposite Hitter, Pepperdine
Kelsey Jewasko, Libero, Texas-San Antonio
Kelly Murphy, Setter/Right Side, Florida
Tarah Murrey, Outside Hitter, California
Darlene Ramdin, Outside/Middle Hitter, St. John’s (NY)
Volleyball Video: Santa Clara Bronco Volleyball Coach Jon Wallace On Upcoming USD Match
Santa Clara University Bronco volleyball coach Jon Wallace talks about last weekend's competition at Texas and this weekend's match vs. No. 16 San Diego in the Leavey Center on Sat., Sept. 24 at 1 pm.
MALIBU, Calif. – The Pepperdine women’s volleyball has some lofty goals for this season, which include winning a West Coast Conference championship and earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Preseason polls have placed the Waves at the top of the league standings and in the top 30 of the AVCA national rankings. But to turn all that hype into reality, the team is going back to basics and focusing on one thing: good old-fashioned hard work.
Eighteen student-athletes, led by seniors Kim Hill (Portland, Ore./Portland Christian HS), Lilla Frederick (Huntington Beach, Calif./Cornelia Connelly HS) and Stevi Robinson (Hermosa Beach, Calif./Mira Costa HS), have been logging time in the gym, in the weight room and on the track in preparation for the season, which starts on Aug. 26 at Texas.
“Everyone really worked hard this summer and did everything we asked them to,” said head coach Nina Matthies, now in her 29th season at the helm. “Matt Young (Pepperdine’s Director of Strength and Conditioning) has been great for us.
“We still have lot of work ahead of us before our first match, but everyone is on board, working hard and making strides.”
The Waves will be tested early and often, with nine of the matches on the pre-conference schedule coming against eight teams that advanced to the 2010 NCAA Tournament. Right out of the gate are the Longhorns, who are ranked #4 on the AVCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll and made it to the national semifinal last year before bowing out to the eventual champion, Penn State.
Other notable matchups include Ole Miss, Miami (Fla.), Dayton, UCLA, Michigan, Florida State and a doubleheader at Hawai’i before WCC play starts on Sept. 22.
Pepperdine was voted the clear favorite to win the WCC championship title this season. Although they have finished in the top three in 10 of the last 12 seasons, the Waves have not claimed the crown since 2003.
Last year, the Waves placed third in the WCC with an 11-3 conference record and were 20-8 overall.
“Our seniors have not been able to say they have won a conference championship, and it’s really been a chip on their shoulders,” said Matthies. “They’re out to win it this year. We went a little old school in our training, hitting the weight room hard and running on the track. Hopefully all of their hard work pays off.”
Also in mix for the top spot in the league will be San Diego and Saint Mary’s, who finished in first and second place, respectively, a season ago. In addition to the Toreros and the Gaels, Pepperdine will also be challenged by Santa Clara, Loyola Marymount, Portland, Gonzaga, San Francisco and West Coast Conference newcomer BYU.
“We have 28 great matches ahead of us. Not one of those matches is going to be easy,” Matthies continued, who is once again assisted by Tim Jensen and Marcio Sicoli. “It’s a tough schedule, but in a good way.”
The Waves have advanced to NCAA postseason play 20 times in the program's 36-year history. The last time they reached postseason play was in 2008 when Pepperdine earned an at-large bid after posting an overall record of 20-8 and finishing in a tie for fourth in the conference.
Opposite Side Hitters Two-time AVCA All-American honorable mention Kim Hill returns for her senior campaign, and has come back strong and ready to compete.
“Kim stayed on campus over the summer, and spent a lot of her time in the weight room,” Matthies said. “She’s strong and is playing fantastic – hitting, passing, blocking, everything. “
Hill has been a go-to offensive threat for Pepperdine, and led the team last year with 3.27 kills per set. With a career kill tally of 828, she’s expected to become the Waves’ 15th member of the 1,000 kills club midway through the season.
Outside Hitters Pepperdine returns three of its five outside hitters from a year ago, while adding three freshmen to the depth chart.
Frederick has been a mainstay in the starting lineup since her freshman season in 2008, is one of the best jumpers on the team and is the odds-on favorite to start again this year. She ranked second on the squad in 2010 with 2.85 kills per set, and was subsequently named to the All-WCC first team. Defensively, she averaged 2.41 digs.
“Lilla is a great role model and leader, and has been exceptional in practice,” Matthies said of Frederick, who enters the season with 779 career kills and is also a candidate for the 1,000 kills club. “We’re looking for her to have a strong, solid season and do all the things a senior should be doing. I believe that she’ll deliver.”
Battling for the other starting spot is Emily Cook (Huntington Beach, Calif./Murrieta Valley HS) and KatieMessing (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands HS).
“We’re going to see production from both Emily and Katie,” Matthies pointed out. “They both bring different things to the table, so its gives us the option to switch our lineup around.”
Cook earned WCC All-Freshman acclaim last season and tallied 234 kills and 151 digs in 26 matches. She’s been labeled a hard hitter, and her passing has steadily improved since joining the team. Messing provides considerable size to the front line standing at 6-foot-4. She was ranked #14 on Prepvolleyball.com's list of "Senior Aces" and named to the AVCA Under Armour Girls High School All-America first team. Messing is also capable of playing on the right side, if needed.
Redshirt sophomore Ashley Broadwell (Bothell, Wash./Archbishop Murphy HS) and freshmen Lexi Weldon (Tallahassee,, Fla./Chiles HS) and Danielle Romeo (Burr Ridge, Ill./Hinsdale South) round out Matthies’ arsenal of outside hitters.
“Ashley came into practice in excellent shape and Danielle has been a great addition to the team. Lexi’s been battling the flu bug so we haven’t seen all she can do, but she’s extremely athletic so we should see good things from her,” finished Matthies.
Setters A veteran staff comprised of sophomore Kellie Woolever (Long Beach, Calif./Woodrow Wilson HS) and junior Justine Hunter (Hollister, Calif./San Benito HS) will handle the setting duties this year.
Woolever, who earned All-WCC honorable mention and All-Freshman Team honors last season, concluded her rookie campaign ranked second in the league and 28th in the NCAA with an 11.12 assists per set average. Her well-rounded effort also included 96 kills, 232 digs, 53 blocks and 11 aces.
“Kellie is learning and maturing,” Matthies said. “She knows how to run the offense and will be really solid for us.”
Although Hunter has seen limited playing time the past two seasons, her work ethic and the depth she provides have been invaluable.
“Justine is amazing,” praised Matthies. “She is pushing to be a part of this team (having spent the spring rehabilitating from an injury), and everyone sees how hard she works.
“I have two solid setters, and I’m really pleased with how both are looking in practice.”
Middle Blockers Pepperdine returns three middle blockers from a year ago, including both starters in Victoria Adelhelm (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif./Santa Fe Christian HS) and Brittney Clark (San Jose, Calif./Presentation HS). Collectively they totaled 224 blocks and 390 kills, and both were awarded with an honorable mention on the All-WCC squad in 2010.
“Victoria has been unstoppable in practice,” said Matthies. “She’s strong and ready to go and is really going to be a great leader for us. I believe she’s going to have a positive year.
“Brittney also continues to be a strong middle for us. She’s small, quick, effective and has a competitive streak in her that allows her to really step it up in a match.”
Also contending for a starting spot is 6-foot-3 freshman Samantha Cash (San Diego, Calif./Canyon Crest Academy), who was an honorable mention on the AVCA’s list of Under Armour Girls’ High School All-Americans.
“Sam is going to be a special player,” beamed Matthies. “She’s such a hard worker, and simply loves to play. She’s always happy to be here and goes through practice with a smile on her face.”
Also waiting in the ranks are senior Janea Rosell (Los Angeles, Calif./Bishop Montgomery HS/Arizona State) and freshman Michele Boskovich (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian HS).
Liberos Robinson, who through three seasons ranks first all-time at Pepperdine with 4.59 digs per set, will once again be looked upon to defend the backcourt. The senior has a three-year dig total of 1,336 and is on pace to rank first in the school annuls by season's end. She enters her final year as a two-time WCC Defensive Player of the Year, and a three-time All-WCC honorable mention.
Junior Kelli Branning (Menlo Park, Calif./Menlo-Atherton HS) and freshman Michaela Christiaansen (Tucson, Ariz./Ironwood Ridge HS) are also on defensive detail for Pepperdine.
“Stevi is ready to win. Like our other seniors, she’s hungry for a WCC Championship,” said Matthies of Robinson.
“Kelli is a lot stronger than last year. She’s playing well and always improving. Michaela is another fantastic freshman addition. She’s a good passer and has a calm demeanor on the court. I think she’s going to surprise a few people this year with what she can do.”
Pepperdine’s home openers run from Sept. 2-3 when they host the Asics Classic versus Georgia, UC Santa Barbara and Miami.
PROVO, Utah (Aug. 15, 2011)—BYU Athletics fires up for the Fall 2011 season and a new start in independence and the West Coast Conference with the Cougar Kickoff Tuesday at 6 p.m. on Haws Field.
Athletes from the football, soccer, women’s volleyball and cross country teams will be available for autographs at the event and will run drills for fans to participate in.
At the event, Cougar Nation may purchase 2011 BYU Football posters for the first time as well as this season’s Rise Up T-shirts.
Sponsor Coca-Cola will provide free Vitamin Water for those in attendance and The Chevelles will provide live music.
The event is free and tickets are not required.
The Cougar Sale begins the same day at 5 p.m. at the Indoor Practice Field, located west of the Smith Fieldhouse. Cougar Nation may purchase game-worn apparel, jerseys, cleats and more at the sale.
Saturday, the Salt Lake Chapter of the BYU Cougar Club will sponsor the Big Blue Bash to kick off the football season. The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Salt Lake City Marriott Hotel (75 S. West Temple).
Activities, autographs and hors d’oeuvres will be provided, followed by a program to preview the upcoming season.
At 7:45 p.m. attendees will hear from BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe, receivers' coach Ben Cahoon and Super Bowl champion Rob Morris.
Tickets are $5 if purchased before Wednesday and $10 at the door. For reservations call the Cougar Club Office at 800-426-4298.
Women's Volleyball: Waves Tabbed Top Team in WCC Preseason Poll
MALIBU, Calif. – With seven returning starters and a freshmen class ranked #9 by prepvolleyball.com, the Pepperdine women’s volleyball team was picked to finish first in the West Coast Conference in a preseason poll of the league’s nine head coaches. Individually, Kim Hill, Lilla Frederick and Stevi Robinson were singled out on the preseason all-conference squad.
Saint Mary’s followed the Waves in second place, while 2010 WCC Champion San Diego was picked to finish in third. Both squads received one first-place vote.
The Waves, who received seven first-place votes and accumulated 62 points overall, return all seven starters from a year ago, including AVCA All-American honorable mention and 2010 All-WCC first team selection Hill (Portland, Ore./Portland Christian HS). Joining her is fellow All-WCC first team honoree Frederick, and Robinson (Hermosa Beach, Calif./Mira Costa HS), who was named 2010 WCC Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
Pepperdine also returns a pair of All-WCC honorable mention middle blockers in Victoria Adelhelm (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif./Santa Fe Christian HS) and Brittney Clark (San Jose, Calif./Presentation HS). Clark and Adelhelm combined for 234 blocks and 390 blocks last season.
Setter Kellie Woolever (Long Beach, Calif./Wilson HS) and Emily Cook (Murrieta, Calif./Murrieta Valley HS) return as well, after both having solid freshmen campaigns in 2010 and subsequently being named to the league’s all-freshmen team.
A freshmen class comprised of Michele Boskovich (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian HS), Samantha Cash (San Diego, Calif./Canyon Crest Academy), Michaela Christiaansen (Tucson, Ariz./Ironwood Ridge HS), Katie Messing (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands HS), Danielle Romeo (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South) and Lexi Weldon (Tallahassee, Fla./Chiles HS), join the team this fall and will add depth and considerable talent to all positions.
The Waves open the 2011 campaign the final weekend in August when they travel to Austin, Texas to compete in the Burnt Orange Classic. Pepperdine’s first match, scheduled for 6 p.m. (PT) on Aug. 26, will be contested versus tournament host Texas and will be aired live on the newly formed Longhorn Network.
Pepperdine takes to Firestone Fieldhouse on Sept. 2-3, when they welcome UC Santa Barbara, Miami (Fla.) and Georgia for the Asics Classic.
