By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University volleyball team will begin the 2020-21 season this week with two matches against Northwest Conference rival Pacific University. The Bearcats will take on the Boxers on Thursday, March 4 in Forest Grove, Oregon, and the teams will play again on Friday, March 5 at Cone Field House. Pacific also is starting its season this week.
Willamette's roster for Head Coach Lily Hallock includes 12 players. The Bearcats have plenty of experience with 11 returning players from the 2019 season, including seniors Kyana Benjamin (Sr., MH, Lubbock, TX/Lubbock HS), Arianna Khan (Sr., OH/OPP, Yuba, CA/River Valley HS) and Elena Vasquez (Sr., OH, Kingston, WA/North Kitsap HS). The team also features two juniors in Natalie Klotz (Jr., OH, Bonner Springs, KS/Bonner Springs HS) and Kela Iwata (Jr.., LIB, Honolulu, HI/Kalani HS).
"The team's main goal this year was to work together as a team to improve," Hallock explained. "We are looking at continuing to do that through our competition this spring. There's a lot that an athlete can learn about themselves and their team during competition, and we look forward to being put in tough situations and seeing how we can grow."
Benjamin played in all 25 matches in 2019. She registered 101 kills and provided the Bearcats with 48 total blocks, including nine solo blocks. In addition to providing quality attacks and blocking in the middle of the court, Benjamin is a team leader.
Khan missed most of the 2019 season due to an injury. In 2018, she earned 119 kills for Willamette. She is skilled as a right-side hitter who can attack with range.
"Kyana and Arianna are both senior captains who are mellow on the court but should not be underestimated. They are both strong attackers and blockers," Hallock commented.
Vasquez, who will compete at outside hitter this season, also has played as a libero and a defensive specialist during her Willamette career. Although she missed most of last season with an injury, her career totals still include 739 digs (4.2 avg.) and 40 service aces (0.23 avg.). "She is very supportive of her teammate," Hallock noted.
Klotz ranked first on the 2019 team with 294 kills and 3.23 kills per set. She hit .199, achieved 253 digs (2.78 avg.), added 42 total blocks (0.46 avg.), and contributed 22 aces (0.24 avg.). She was named Second Team All-NWC. During her first two seasons, Klotz amassed 495 kills (2.88 avg.) to go along with 459 digs (2.67 avg.) and 84 blocks (0.49 avg.). Her overall abilities have really helped the Bearcats as she has become a team leader.
"Natalie is a quiet leader who is very self-motivated," Hallock reported. "She has a great all-around game and is extremely difficult to defend."
Iwata has played in 24 matches over the past two seasons. She competed in 13 matches in 2019. "She always brings a smile to practice and works hard at every practice," Hallock said.
As a first-year player in 2019, Emma Porter (So., S, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) contributed 852 assists and averaged 9.47 assists per set. She also provided 297 digs (3.30 avg.) and 19 service aces. She played in all 25 matches and in 90 of 91 sets.
"Emma is a fierce competitor who puts her hitters in great positions," Hallock said. "She's really been pushing herself to improve all areas of her game."
Shyla Sato (So., LIB, Honolulu, HI/MId-Pacific Institute) played in all 25 matches and 91 sets last season as the Bearcats' primary libero. She led Willamette with 441 digs (4.85 avg.) and provided quality passes to set-up attacks. This year, she has concentrated on making her serve more aggressive.
"Shyla is impressive on both defense and serve receive. She makes great reads and has a strong first step to move to the ball," Hallock explained.
Steele Jasa (So., S/LIB, Bend, OR/Summit HS) competed in 15 matches and Jessica Nash (So., S, Santa Clarita, CA/Saugus HS) saw action in 12 matches a year ago. Jasa has been practicing as both a setter and a defensive specialist. Nash will miss the spring season due to injury. Lexi Martin (So., MH, Bellevue, WA/Interlake HS) played in 17 matches with three starts as a first-year Bearcat in 2019. She registered 77 kills (1.45 avg.) and was credited with 21 blocks (0.40 avg.).
First-year player Kaiona Apio (OH, Edmonds, WA/Edmonds-Woodway HS) has worked consistently to adjust to her new team and coaches. "I've been impressed with your willingness to speak up in practices, something a lot of first-years are nervous to do," Hallock said.
"In the fall, the new coaching staff asked the team to make several adjustments both in techniques and systems," Hallock noted. "Practices got tedious at times as we broke down skills. As we've transitioned into more game play this spring, it's fun to see the team apply those changes and watch how they've improved as individuals and overall."
