August 24, 2007

Boise State women's volleyball team to start two freshmen this year
BSU returns four starters, including setter Mandy Klein, a Timberline grad.

By Nick Jezierny

Here's something that sounds scary — the Boise State women's volleyball team is replacing a pair of All-WAC players with two true freshmen.

All that means is second-year coach Robin Davis knows this year's Bronco team will operate a little bit differently without middle blocker Cameron Flunder and libero Jackie Stroud.

"We're really going to have to be balanced," Davis said. "We have no stars. We like to be optimistic, but we're not sure where the star power is and who is going to lead us. But we have pretty good players who have worked hard for a year."

Davis will get his first look at his team in action tonight in the Bronco Invitational. BSU plays Texas-San Antonio at 7 p.m. in Bronco Gym. The team also has two matches Saturday (vs. Cal-State Fullerton, 12:30 p.m. and vs. No. 24 Santa Clara, 7 p.m.)

Sadie Maughan will replace Flunder at middle blocker, while Lauren Hamm takes over for Stroud. Both are true freshmen.

"Sadie has less experience, but she's really athletic," Davis said of the 6-foot-4 freshman from Murray, Utah.

BSU does return four players with significant experience, including setter Mandy Klein, a graduate of Timberline High. She averaged 10.11 assists per game last season.

"I really felt like she turned a corner last year," Davis said. "She's been really coachable in the new system. She's ultra-competitive and a fighter who wants to win. She's a mentally tough kid who is a team player."

Other top returnees for BSU are outside hitters Jamie Claussen (2.23 kills, 2.91 digs per game) and Jeannette Jenkins (2.97 kills, 0.47 blocks) and middle blocker Robyn Hewitt (1.16 kills, 0.73 blocks).

The Broncos were picked to finish sixth in the nine-team WAC this season. They finished sixth last season.