Jan. 5, 2006
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - A youthful Western Washington University women's volleyball team overcame injuries and inexperience and posted an 18-9 overall record, finishing fourth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference at 13-5.
Western had just three seniors and no juniors on the roster. Two of those seniors were injured for large portions of the season. Still, the Vikings battled through.
"We played well despite our inexperience," said Western coach Diane Flick. "It bodes well for next year."
Leading the way for the Vikings was sophomore libero Courtney Schneider (Snohomish), who was a third-team Daktronics NCAA Division II All-American, and an honorable mention AVCA All-American. She averaged 6.59 digs a game, with a total of 646 digs on the season, both school records. She ranked fourth nationally in digs, and led the GNAC, being a first-team all-conference selection, as well as a first-team all-Pacific Region pick by both AVCA and Daktronics. Schneider also set a school single-match digs record with 46 against Central Washington.
"I think the most impressive thing about Courtney is that she would probably give back all her individual awards for more team success," said Flick. "That's what makes her so good."
Schneider was one of four Vikings to earn all-GNAC recognition, being the lone first-team pick. Senior setter Kristen Urdahl (Spokane/Ferris) was a second-team selection, and senior outside hitter Krystal Knight (Sumner) and redshirt freshman middle blocker Tiana Roma (Edmonds/Edmonds-Woodway) received honorable mention. Roma was also named GNAC Freshman of the Year.
Urdahl was the only Viking senior to stay healthy the full season. She averaged 10.16 assists a game, ranking fifth in the GNAC.
Knight, who had 157 kills through the first 15 matches, suffered a season-ending knee injury. Senior outside hitter Jamie Peterson missed five matches with a shoulder injury and was limited to back-row duties in seven others. She still managed 97 kills and was third on the team in digs (203, 2.82 avg.).
Roma, who shared the league's freshman honor with Lindsey Fryer of Northwest Nazarene, ranked third in the conference in hitting percentage (.328) and sixth in blocks (1.06). She also led Western in kills (225).
Seven Vikings averaged at least two kills a game. Freshman Sarah Primrose (Issaquah) was a consistent presence at right-side hitter, notching 220 kills and 55 blocks. Sophomore Siri Wuotila (Seattle/Highline) came on strong at outside hitter late in the season, finishing the year with 191 kills (2.48 avg.) and was second on the team in digs (227, 2.95).
Sophomore setter Katie Robinson (Everson/Nooksack Valley) saw some action at setter, averaging 2.62 assists a game, and was a key back-row player. She ranked second in the GNAC in service aces (0.62 avg., 59 total) and had 158 digs.
The Vikings showed improvement over the course of the season. After a 6-6 start, they won 12 of the last 15 matches, including two streaks of five consecutive victories. Western led the GNAC in service aces (2.15 avg.).
