The two-time defending Northwest Conference champion Pacific Lutheran volleyball team hopes to improve upon a successful 2007 season in which it finished 23-4 overall, including a perfect 16-0 in conference play, and earned a first-round bye in the NCAA West Region tournament. Surpassing those accomplishments might be a tall order, but the Lutes come into the 2008 campaign feeling like they have some unfinished business after losing to fellow conference member Puget Sound in the regional semifinal.

Kevin Aoki enters his 13th season as head coach at his alma mater with a 202-110 record, an average of almost 17 wins per season. He has earned Northwest Conference Coach of the Year honors four times and AVCA West Region Coach of the Year recognition three times while leading the Lutes to four conference championships. His PLU teams have never won more than one match at the regional level, however, and he would like to see that change this year.

Beth Hanna

Leading the offensive attack will be sophomore outside hitter Beth Hanna, who last fall had the most decorated season in PLU volleyball history. She earned 2007 Division III American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Freshman of the Year honors in addition to being an AVCA Division III First Team All-American. With that recognition, Hanna became the first-ever Pacific Lutheran volleyball player so honored. Hanna was named the Northwest Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-Northwest Conference, AVCA West Region Freshman of the Year and AVCA First Team West Region. She ranked fourth nationally with an average of 5.34 kills per game, easily surpassing the school record 5.01 kills per game set by Rachelle Snowdon in 1995. With a total of 486 kills, Hanna tied the school record for kills in a season established by Snowdon in 1993.

While Hanna’s offensive numbers speak for themselves, Aoki calls her “probably our best passer.” Despite losing second team all-conference outside hitter Stacie Matz and her four kills per game to graduation, this year’s squad provides a deeper pool of offensive talent that will take some of the offensive load off of Hanna. “We’re going to have the type of team where she doesn’t have to get five kills a game for us to win,” Aoki said. “We can spread the ball around a little more.”

Still, look for Hanna to be a standout in several ways. “We expect a lot out of Beth, not only in terms of stats, but more in the leadership side,” said Aoki.

Kelcy Joynt will take some of the offensive load from Hanna. Before the junior middle blocker suffered a season-ending knee injury midway through 2007, she led the team in blocks with 47 and was third in kills with 203, an average of 3.17 per game. “Athletically on the court we lost a lot when Kelcy went down,” said Aoki. “I still can’t figure out how we went undefeated without her during the second round of the conference season." Joynt’s work ethic has her looking to be at 100 percent following the anterior cruciate ligament tear and ensuing knee surgery.

Junior middle blocker Anella Olbertz showed improvement in 2007 and gives the Lutes another attacking option in the middle. She also led the 2007 team in total blocks with 57.

Sophomore setter Sarah Beaver showed in limited opportunities that she is more than capable of running the offense, but she certainly has big shoes to fill as she replaces second team All-America setter Gina Di Maggio. Di Maggio broke her own school record by averaging 11.93 assists per game, and her career numbers are reflected in her being named to the all-region first team on three occasions. More importantly, Di Maggio was an outstanding leader who brought focus and fun to every match. Backing up Beaver will be sophomore Katie Wilson and freshman Kristi Neubauer.

Anella Olbertz

Among the top freshmen at outside hitter are Kelsie Moore from Oregon City (Ore.) High School and Katlyn Kester from Tacoma’s Wilson High School. The top newcomers at middle blocker and right side hitter include Erin Bremond, Melissa DeWalt, Hannah Harrison, Katy Tauscher and Maria Wytko. Aoki calls Moore one of the most talented all-around freshman players that he has recruited at PLU, and he expects her to not only provide plenty of offensive firepower but to be one of the team’s best passers.

Junior defensive specialist Lauren Poole is a two-year starter in the back row, and junior defensive specialist Brenna Archibald returns after averaging a team-best 0.61 service aces per game last fall. Another junior who will provide depth at right side hitter is Karen Henjum.

The Lutes will also be looking for someone to fill the role of libero in the stead of Megan Kosel, a second team all-conference pick who was among the region’s best at the position. Her all-out effort and leadership will be missed.

Another key question mark that needs to be answered is who will provide leadership in the wake of the graduation of Di Maggio, Matz and Kosel, especially in light of the fact that there are no seniors on the 2008 roster. Olbertz and Joynt take on the role of co-captains this year.

Question marks and answers aside, Aoki said that “This could end up being my most talented team in terms of overall depth.” That depth, along with outstanding talent, will help the Lutes compete for their third straight conference title and fourth in their last five years.