Aug. 18, 2010

Allendale, Mich. - With the opening week of the fall sports season underway and the 2010 Grand Valley State volleyball team reporting for preseason practices, here is the first look at this season's Lakers. The four-day series continues with the three-player group that forms the team's junior class.

In 2009, GVSU finished with a 16-13 overall record (11-5 GLIAC), posting a winning record for the 17th consecutive season. The Lakers advanced to the GLIAC Tournament and earned a berth in the NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament for the 10th straight year.

Although just one player from this year's junior class was among the top-10 Lakers in terms of playing time in 2009, GVSU head coach Deanne Scanlon sees a lot of potential in juniors Ann Kendzicky, Courtney McCotter, and Nicole Whiddon.

"This group hasn't had a lot of playing time during their first two years at Grand Valley," said Scanlon. "But this could be a breakout year for all three of them. The biggest transition year for a volleyball player is between her sophomore and junior years, so we really look at it as sort of a 'do or die' year for this class."

After seeing little playing time as a true freshman in 2008, Whiddon steadily improved last year, turning into one of the better attacking and blocking Lakers on the roster. The 6-0 middle blocker ranked fourth on GVSU last year in kills (106), block assists (55), and total blocks (63). Whiddon saw time in 25 of 29 matches, notching at least one block and one kill in every single match. Her hitting percentage of .177 placed her third amongst Laker attackers, as she committed just 47 errors in 333 attempts. Against Rockhurst in the GLIAC-GLVC Crossover on Oct. 16, Whiddon put together her best match with career-highs in kills (12), attacks (28), and blocks (five), to go with a .357 hitting percentage.

"Nicole has had the most playing time out of this group, so of course we're looking for her to step up the most," Scanlon explained. "In the first three days of practice so far, we've seen an extra maturity out of her, which is a nice step from last year. Nicole has the potential to have a breakout year and take some of the focus away from Rebeccah (Rapin) and Krysta (Kornack). She really has the talent to make an opponent worry about her on the scouting report and put a plan together on how to stop her."

Kendzicky, a 5-10 middle blocker, and McCotter, a 6-0 outside hitter, are also looking to add their names to opponents' scouting reports. McCotter appeared in 16 matches last season (making one start), as she recorded 19 kills, 13 digs, and seven total blocks. In 2009, she tallied a five-kill, two-block match against Texas-Permian Basin and a five-kill, three-dig total in a 3-0 win at Findlay. Kendzicky has seen action in nine matches during her career, yet has not committed an attack error so far, putting away six kills in 10 career attempts for a .600 hitting percentage.

"Ann and Courtney are very similar players in that they can do a lot of different things on the court," Scanlon described. "They're almost like a utility player in that they can plug a hole in a lot of different areas for us. Both girls are physically strong and are two kids that are very fit and ready to go. At the end of the year where other players might be wearing down and worn out, that's not something that should hold Ann or Courtney back."

Tuesday: Senior Class

Thursday: Sophomore Class

Friday: Freshman Class