OGDEN -- With five returning seniors, expectations ran high for the Weber State University women's volleyball team entering the 2009 season.
Fielding one of the most veteran-heavy teams in Wildcat history, however, didn't end up paying the dividends the team hoped for.
"My first thought of the season is that we fell short of our own expectations and we underachieved our potential," Weber State coach Al Givens said. "With that said, I thought my players came to practice every day with the attitude to improve and get better, and I'm proud of them for that."
Weber State bid farewell to seniors Chelsea Bair, Jenna Leggat, Caitlyn Anderson, Amy Fackrell and Jocilyn Randall at the conclusion of the season, with all five leaving a lasting mark on the Wildcats' history books.
Bair finished in the top 10 of numerous career marks for the Wildcats, finishing second all-time in kills, digs, total attacks and sets played. She finished third in kills average and aces, and seventh in matches played. She was one of just seven players in WSU history with 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs, and finished fifth in Big Sky Conference history with 1,666 kills.
Anderson finished as WSU's career leader in digs with 1,578. She also owns the single-season and individual match records, set in 2007 with 41 against Utah Valley. Anderson missed just one set in her four year career, playing in 125 matches.
"My seniors are going to be missed," Givens said. "They are tremendous people and I wish they could have had a better season, but only one Big Sky team finished their season with a win and that was us.
"I expect the 10 returning players to work their tails off this winter, spring and summer in preparation for the upcoming 2010 season. We will focus on developing a tougher mental mindset and defending our home court with more diligent effort.
"Our blocking slipped in the last third of the season and we want to improve our team defense next year."
Weber State finished the season at 8-21 overall, 5-11 in Big Sky play, but the Wildcats did claim their final match of the season with a 3-1 victory over Montana State. The win over the Bobcats saw WSU rally from a 20-10 deficit during the third set of the match, one of the Wildcats' biggest rallies in school history.
Comments