Depth will be LSSU's strength in 2008

The Lake Superior State volleyball team lost only one starter following the 2006 season and graduated two starters from last season's 8-22 squad. Mark Engle, who is entering is 14th season as head coach, is starting the 2008 campaign with 18 players, including five who have been a main part of the Lakers' rotation for at least two seasons.

LSSU's key losses are all-around player and season kills leader Jamie Groos, who earned All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honorable mention in 2007, and setter Erin McLain, who finished second in career assists despite foregoing her fifth year of eligibility.

Senior Ashley Purvis, who appeared in 56 of 108 sets as a back-up setter last season, is expected to replace McLain. Engle also has freshman Marie Stender at the setter position, while junior Jessica Ewer and senior Trisha Dutton can assist as back-up setters.

LSSU's strength will be its middle attack, which will be led by junior Sara Hess (6-0) and sophomore Samantha Gibbs (6-0). Hess finished second in kills with 280 and led the Lakers in blocks last season. Gibbs was the team's No. 2 blocker during her rookie campaign.

Juniors Ali Jones (5-10) and Holly Orban (5-11), seniors Brishia Stroven (5-10) and Dutton (5-11) return at the outside hitter position. Jones, who is a solid all-around player, finished second on the team in service reception and aces, third in kills and fourth in digs. Stroven had a team-high .949 service reception percentage.

Ewer was one of the GLIAC's top liberos in 2007, finishing third in the league in average digs per game. She is ranked 10th on LSSU's career digs list. Engle also has the option of using the athletic back-row specialist as an outside hitter.

Hess, Jones, Ewer and Stroven have all been starters for at least two seasons, while Dutton and Orban are experienced role players.

"Our depth at all positions should make us better as we face a tough road schedule and a typically-strong GLIAC field," said Engle, whose goal is to earn a berth in the GLIAC Tournament. "The team has a good mixture of veterans and talented newcomers."

While depth is the team's strength, Engle noted that Purvis, Jones and Hess will be expected to lead the Lakers at their respective positions.

Newcomers to the lineup include defensive specialist Anna Neal, outside hitter Abby Shereda (5-11) and middle hitter Lindsay McLeod (5-11), who red-shirted as rookies last season. Middle hitter Jeanna Radzinski (5-11), outside hitter Janelle Balkwill (5-10) and libero/outside hitter Brittany Newberry are first-year players who have the potential to be immediate contributors. In addition to Ward and Stender, LSSU's 2008 recruiting class also includes outside hitters Jessica Murawski, who attended Oakland University in 2007-08, and Laura Misiak, and setter Brandiss Ward.

The Lakers open the 2008 season at the Minnesota-Crookston Tournament on Sept. 5-6 and will play a cross-over tournament against Great Lakes Valley Conference teams Oct. 17-18 in Indianapolis. They play their GLIAC opener at Northern Michigan on Sept. 12.

The 2008 GLIAC Volleyball Pre-Season Coaches Poll was announced on Aug. 20.