Eliott touts ball control, defense

Southern Oregon Volleyball coach Paul Elliott does not settle for less then 100 percent from his team. He's tough, honest, fun, and dedicated to the athletes; his players wouldn't have it any other way.

With his unique brand of high energy and determination, a 15-year career record of 363-157, seven coach of the year awards at regional and tournament levels, and most recently toppling the record for volleyball victories at SOU, the women good have reason to trust Elliott's winning recipe.

Southern Oregon University teammates get ready for a drill during a recent practice at McNeal Pavilion. Photos by Orville Hector | Daily Tidings

And this year, SOU also has motivation to stay determined.

The Raiders have some serious cards stacked against them. After what some called the best regular season in Raider volleyball history, the team balked in Salt Lake City and ended 2005 season without a trip to the nationals despite finishing 26-6.

For the first time in four years the SOU volleyball team was not favored to win the Cascade Conference championship by opposing coaches in the annual preseason poll. Atop that list this year is Albertson College.

Like the Raiders of a year ago, Albertson returns almost every key player. But Elliott, who is widely known for his ability to restock the cupboards, has assembled a team that should have no problem competing with the best.

The Raiders lost six key players to graduation — NAIA All-American middle blocker Nicholette Le Bel, three-year all-star setter Jamie McCreary, all time dig leader Kirsten Lilly and starting defender Haley Phillips. Responsibility to upkeep the Raider women's long-time standard of excellence will fall to key returnees and hot incoming firepower.

Helping to fill the spot left by Le Bel, last year's emotional team leader, will be standout sophomore Mia Wortel. Last year, Wortel earned the Cascade Conference top attack percentage spot and averaged 2.3 kills a game.

She will be joined in the starting lineup by junior hitters Jaclyn Hamilton-Smith, who last year averaged 3.1 kills per game, Shanna Claflin (2.5) and Richelle Millsap (2.3).

"We're very optimistic this year," said Hamilton-Smith. "We've got a lot of new girls coming in and the positions are filling up quickly. Every day we are growing stronger and trusting each other more."

With the loss of McCreary, Molly Grossman, a Palomar Community College transfer and former Ashland High star, has big shoes to fill. Grossman, who has been training with the team since January, earned all-star honors while in San Diego during the 2003 and 04' seasons, and helped lead the team to the league championships her freshmen year.

Sophomore libero Emily Stone, another former AHS all-star, has fought back from a sprained ankle to earn a spot in the starting lineup.

The only senior on the team is walk-on transfer and outside hitter, Amanda Allen, who led the George Fox University Bruins in kills.

"We are a ball control, defense oriented team," said Elliot, repeating the formula that has become SOU's calling card. "Our ball control is our key. When the ball comes on our side, we pass that ball."

With the final roster released on Monday, the team has little time to practice before its first tournament at Fresno Pacific, Aug. 25-26. Then, only a few short weeks and a couple matches before SOU faces off against Albertson, which will return to McNeal Pavilion Sept. 8 fully aware that it has a target on its back.

Albertson is led by returner Erin Cherrington, who set a school record for assists per game in 2005 and is 962 assists away from the all-time leader in ACI history. Also returning for Albertson will be Katie Hogue, who racked up 376 kills, 132 blocks, and 68 aces last year as a sophomore.