Aug. 27, 2003
San Diego enters the 2003 season with high expectations. The Toreros return All-WCC player's Devon Forster, Lindsey Sherburne and Kristen Hurst. The trio is complemented by three senior's and a cast of highly touted newcomers.
Since 1993 the University of San Diego volleyball team has appeared in postseason play nine times, captured a pair of West Coast Conference Championships and has averaged 22 wins per year- a track record that certainly validates a spot for the Toreros among the nation's top-25.
But after a difficult NCAA Tournament pairing dealt No. 25 San Diego a first round date with tournament top-seed and eventual National Champion Southern California last season, USD enters the 2003 season still looking to prove that they belong among the nation's elite.
"Last season's draw really made us aware of how important it is to be recognized as a top-16 team," says San Diego head coach Jennifer Petrie. "We play in the nation's toughest region and have to overcome the fact that we will consistently be challenged by a number one ranked team."
In preparation for the inevitable, seven of the twelve non-conference opponents San Diego has scheduled this fall were participants in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. Perennial national powers Stanford and Long Beach State highlight a very difficult early season slate for USD. Other 2003 opponents include UC Santa Barbara, Michigan State, Arizona State, and Utah.
"The fact that all of our returning players have faced a number one seed (Long Beach State '01, Southern California '02) helps our confidence," says Petrie. "We've played the best and this schedule will help our team, not intimidate us."
When West Coast Conference play commences with a road trip to the Northwest in early October, San Diego will begin its quest to challenge Pepperdine and Santa Clara for a league championship, an accomplishment that has eluded USD since winning back-to-back crowns in 1997 and '98.
The Toreros enter the year armed with one of the league's top attackers in junior Devon Forster (Boulder, CO). Forster has twice been named an All-WCC First Team selection and is coming off a sophomore season in which she challenged San Diego single season marks in kills, digs and aces.
San Diego also has one of the nation's best setters in sophomore Lindsey Sherburne (Saratoga, CA). Sherburne was named the WCC co-Freshman of the Year after passing out 1,454 assists last season, ranking her 9th nationally with a 13.59 assists per game average. Sherburne's assist total in 2002 was the second highest among any San Diego player in school history.
Up front, USD returns seniors Lisa Gordon (Sacramento, CA) and Bridget Merritt (Seal Beach, CA). Gordon enjoyed an excellent junior campaign, highlighted by a ten-block performance against UC Riverside. Gordon appeared in all of San Diego's 33 matches last season and led the Toreros with 49 total blocks in WCC play.
Junior Kristen Hurst (Bakersfield, CA) was recognized as one of the best right side players in the conference, earning All-WCC Honorable Mention honors a season ago. Hurst was a key member of San Diego's 25-win season, ranking among team and league leaders in aces (38) and digs (314).
Proven defensive specialists in senior Brynne Young (La Canada, CA) and sophomore Monica Peterson (Los Angeles, CA) provide depth at the libero position. Katie Kahlweiss (Huntington Beach, CA) is another talented returner on the USD roster. Kahlweiss and teammate Lindsey Sherburne represented the U.S. in international competition this summer.
The talent loaded USD line-up is complemented by an incoming class made up of some of the best prep athletes in the nation.
"Our incoming freshmen will provide us with much needed depth and there should be healthy competition for spots," commented Petrie on this season's newcomers.
The 'depth' bring in resumes that boast prep All-American honors, city player of the year accolades, All-State recognition, league MVP winners, and so on and so forth.
The league coaches have tabbed San Diego to place third behind Pepperdine and Santa Clara in the annual preseason poll. USD received 39 votes for placement in the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason national top-25.
