2007 season preview

Red Raider Volleyball Team Looks to Build On 2006 Success

After a memorable 2006 season in which the Red Raiders earned their first trip to the NAIA national tournament since 1996, Head Coach Kyle Van Den Bosch expects his 2007 squad to strive for success once again. “We really had a special group last season, a group that was extremely close and cared for one another,” comments Van Den Bosch. Although the Red Raiders lost two key starters off last year’s squad, they return seven players from a team that finished with a 15-1 league mark, 33-6 overall. In addition to making its first national tournament appearance in 10 years, NWC returned to the national rankings, finishing 18^th in the final poll.

The Red Raiders will have to replace a pair of departed seniors in Katie Schnoes and Alison Waggie. Schnoes, a two-time all-region and all-conference performer, ranked second on the squad averaging 4.06 kills per game. She earned NAIA honorable mention All-American accolades last year as well. Waggie, who earned all-conference honors two straight seasons, led the team in digs (712) and ace serves (48) after making the switch to the libero position. “Both players were not only very skilled, they were exceptional leaders on and off the court,” comments Van Den Bosch.

Taking over the leadership role for this year’s squad will be a trio of seniors in Karrisa Davelaar, Megan Meyer and Colette Veldhorst. Davelaar, who earned second team all-league honors in 2006, totaled 319 kills (2.5/game), 12 ace serves, 508 digs (4/game) and 105 blocks. “Karrisa is a gifted athlete who does many things well. She has fantastic ball control skills and is so steady over the course of the season,” states Van Den Bosch. Meyer, a two-time all-region and first team all-GPAC performer, led the team with 539 kills (4.1/game). She also totaled 29 aces, 467 digs (3.56) and 78 blocks. “Megan is a natural finisher on the outside. After three years as a starter for us, we will rely on her to be a steady, consistent force for us.” Veldhorst has been involved in the program all four years and has a passion for the game and being part of the team. “Colette is upbeat, positive and very unselfish, a real asset to our team,” says Van Den Bosch.

Juniors Kayla DeGeest and Krista Hibma also return for the Red Raiders. De Geest totaled 129 kills (1.1/game) and 93 blocks as a right-side hitter for Van Den Bosch’s squad. “Kayla is a great blocker and does a nice job battling our opponent’s best hitter,” says Van Den Bosch. Hibma is a versatile athlete who can fill a number of different positions for NWC. “Krista is also very unselfish and does the little things that make the team better.”

A talented sophomore class, which contributed four starters as freshmen, returns for the Red Raiders. Setter Rachel Gosselink will quarterback the NWC offensive attack after leading the GPAC with 1,510 assists (12.7) and a team-best 94% serve percentage with 44 aces. “It’s great to have our starting setter coming back,” comments Van Den Bosch. “She knows our offense and has grown as a leader during our off-season workouts.” Another one of the many weapons Gosselink will target is middle hitter Randa Hulstein. Hulstein was third on the team with 394 kills (3/game) and led the Red Raiders with 205 blocks, third best in the league. “Randa hits the ball extremely hard and is a real presence in the middle for us,” says Van Den Bosch. Both Gosselink and Hulstein earned honorable mention all-conference recognition last year. Janna Bloemendaal and Delainye Hardersen, a pair of defensive specialists, will anchor the defense once again for the Red Raiders. Bloemendaal registered 26 ace serves and 210 digs (2.1/game) while Hardersen totaled 34 aces and 140 digs (1.1/game). “Both players possess outstanding quickness and really attack offensively with their serve.”

The Red Raiders will bring in nine freshmen who will also be in the mix. Hillary Hanno earned all-state honors as she helped lead her Sioux City Heelan team to the class 3A State Championship. Kaitlin Beaver, a three-year letter winner, took home all-state accolades for Sioux Center High School (Iowa). Bobbie Jean Rich, a sister of former Red Raider Megan Willits (’05), was a member of the Super Six all-Nebraska team.

According to Van Den Bosch, one of the keys to success in 2007 will be how well the team manages a very challenging schedule. The Red Raiders play three of the Final Four participants from last year’s national tournament, including defending champion National American (S.D.). In addition, NWC will travel to play the top seven GPAC teams in the preseason poll at some point during the regular season. “We want to be a team that plays with a lot of heart and enjoys the journey of the season,” comments Van Den Bosch. “It is our goal to help each other grow both as a volleyball player but also in our walk with Jesus Christ.”