Volleyball short in 2008

Beavers begin season strong before coming up shy of NCAA Tournament berth late in year

By: Casey Grogan

Posted: 12/5/08

It started out as a very promising season. A few new faces teamed up with now-seasoned sophomores and a group of veterans, ready to put the 2007 season behind and make a name for Oregon State volleyball by pushing for a NCAA Tournament berth.

"I think overall it was a great success," senior libero Ashley Evans said. "We had the most wins we've had in a while. We upset a number of teams, the team improved and to be ranked in the Top 25 is a great accomplishment."

The promising season began as it should have with five straight wins to open the year. OSU (14-17, 3-15 Pac-10) swept the first four teams they met before edging out Pacific 3-2 in the fifth match of the year. After dropping back-to-back matches, OSU began a second streak.

Winning three straight in the Portland State Volleyball Showcase, the Beavers returned home for an exhibition match against Zhejiang Club Team, from Zhejiang, China. The talented club team was unable to get a win against OSU, who took the 3-2 victory.

Heading to Milwaukee, Wis., the Beavers were set to meet a tough tournament field including then-No. 13 Wisconsin. Oregon State took a 3-2 match off the Badgers before defeating Marquette and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

The strong non-conference run left Oregon State confident of a potential tournament berth and put the Beavers in the minds of the volleyball world as they began to receive votes in the Top 25.

"We had a really good pre-season and start to the Pac-10 season," freshman defensive specialist Betsy Devich said. "We had some really big wins and proved to ourselves that we can play like that."

After being swept by both then-No. 6 Stanford and then-No. 8 California, OSU opened their home Pac-10 season with a 3-2 win over then-No. 4 USC. After dropping a match to then-No. 5 UCLA, the Beavers were rewarded for their strong play with entry to the Top 25.

On Oct. 7, Oregon State entered the Top 25 poll for the first time in 12 years. Then-No. 24 OSU was defeated by then-No. 7 Oregon in Eugene. Oregon State maintained a spot in the Top 25 with wins over WSU and Arizona before Oct. 25.

On Oct. 25 the Sun Devils of Arizona State made their way to Corvallis, looking to ruin the Beavers season. Sweeping the Beavers inside of Legendary Gill Coliseum, the Sun Devils sparked the downfall of the OSU season as the Beavers went on to lose 10 straight matches, erasing all hope of an NCAA Tournament appearance.

"I don't think [the slide] was a matter of us not working hard," Evans said. "There were a bunch of factors. It wasn't just one person, it was everything coming together and not clicking like it did at the start of the season. You always have that in athletics."

OSU was without middle blocker Brecht Gijsbertsen, a transfer from Bunnik, Netherlands, who was expected to fortify the Oregon State front court. Gijsbertsen was not cleared by the NCAA and was forced to watch the 2008 Beavers from the bench.

Despite a rough end of the season, Oregon State had strong seasons from multiple individuals. Leading Oregon State was junior outside hitter Rachel Rourke. The Australian became the first OSU player to receive Pac-10 Player of the Week honors since 2002.

With a team-high 497 kills, Rourke was named to the 2008 All-Pac-10 Women's Volleyball Team, making her the first Oregon State athlete to be named to the team since Gina Schmidt in 2000.

"Rachel is a point scorer and an inspiration," Devich said. "When she is on, she is on."

Sophomore outside hitter Jill Sawatzky was second on the roster with 330 kills and was named to the Pac-10 All-Academic First Team, along with fellow sophomore, setter Kaitlan Locke.

"We have a lot of good individuals," junior outside hitter Bree Knitter said. "[For next year] we have to work together as a team, and as individuals everyone has to work on the mental game. We have to continue to get better."

With 1143 assists, junior setter Camilla Ah-Hoy lead OSU, while Locke set 27 balls successfully off the bench. Oregon State was successful on the serve, with seven players reaching double digits for service aces led by Rourke's 20.

On defense in her final season at Oregon State, Evans dug 416 balls. Ah-Hoy was second on the squad with 232 digs.

"I think this is the closest I've been to my teammates since I have been here," Evans said. "[During] my freshman, sophomore and junior seasons we were teammates, and this year was something different. I don't know if it was because it was my senior year and I wanted it that way or if we were just closer because we clicked that way. It's bittersweet, it's the end of a lifestyle I have had for 12 years, but it's the beginning of a life I've never known, so it will be a new and interesting path before me."

Devich was OSU's only freshman, and in addition to her 86 digs, she served as the teams' spark plug, providing energy and confidence to her teammates.

Up front, middle blockers senior Lauren Rinderknecht and junior Lexie Rathgeber protected the net for 94 and 96 total blocks, respectively. Rinderknecht led the Beavers with 12 block solos.

Oregon State looks to have a strong 2009 season, having made a push toward the tournament and bringing in a large freshman class. With a spectacular coaching staff and talented returnees, OSU plans to make noise once again in the Pac-10.

Casey Grogan, sports editor

sports@dailybarometer.com