Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/162669
PRESEASON NOTEBOOK WASHINGTON Pac-12 volleyball continues to recruit marquee student-athletes. Eight Pac-12 institutions landed at least one Volleyball Magazine FAB 50 recruit. Here's a list of those freshmen who should make significant contributions to Pac-12 volleyball: Ranked fifth in the AVCA Preseason Coaches poll, its highest preseason ranking since 2009, the Huskies are looking to make their first trip back to the final rounds of the NCAA Tournament this year since 2006. UW seems to have a lot of the pieces in place to make a run, beginning with junior Krista Vansant. The top-rated recruit in her final prep campaign, she has lived up to her billing since arriving in Seattle. Last year, she ranked fifth in the Pac-12 in kills per set (3.99) and points per set (4.64). Added to that is the return of senior defensive specialist Jenna Orlandini and senior setter Jennie Norgueras, while also welcoming the 10th-ranked recruiting class in the nation, head coach Jim McLaighlin's squad looks to be a strong threat. An appearance in the NCAA final rounds would be even sweeter this season, as UW plays host to the event at KeyArea. VOLLEYBALL MAGAZINE BreElle Bailey, MB, ASU Naya Crittenden, RS, ORE Carly DeHoog, RS, WASH Skylar Dykstra, L, UCLA Claire Felix, MB, UCLA Jennie Frager, MB, UCLA Kelsey Humphreys, S, STAN Alyssa Jensen, S, CAL Jenelle Jordan, MB, CAL Maddy Kerr, L, CAL Merete Lutz, MB, STAN Ebony Nwanebu, RS, USC Haylee Roberts, RS, ORE Elise Ruddins, OH, USC Penina Snuka, S, ARIZ Bailey Tanner, S/RS, WASH WASHINGTON STATE The Cougars had just two non-conference losses and their 13 wins were the most since 2009, the last time WSU made the NCAA Tournament, but they struggled in league play to close out the season. But Washington State has seen improvement in each of head coach Jen Greeny's first two seasons, and as she continues to rebuild the Cougar program, the team returns most of its starters and eight letterwinners overall. Greeny also heads into the 2013 campaign having landed the 14th-ranked recruiting class in the nation. Among the returnees is the team's leading scorer in junior outside hitter Jaicee Harris. Harris was ranked 10th in the Pac-12 in kills per set (3.91) and was ninth in points per set (4.36). The Cougs will look to its seniors, Marcelina Glab and setter Camryn Irwin, to lead the young squad that features eight underclassmen and a transfer. Krista Vansant, Washington AVCA PRESEASON RANKING 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. Texas (55) 1490 Penn State (3) 1425 STANFORD (2) 1379 USC1307 WASHINGTON1167 Minnesota 1140 Michigan 1120 OREGON1020 Florida 996 Nebraska 962 Hawai'i 825 UCLA791 BYU 728 Michigan State 676 Iowa State 650 Purdue 585 Kentucky 504 Florida State 479 Louisville 389 Kansas 304 Western Kentucky 262 Dayton 229 Ohio State 202 Wichita State 172 Creighton 133 That's a total of 17 FAB 50 recruits (including one who will participate in sand volleyball), which breaks down to an amazing 34 percent of the list. Here's the list by conference: Pac-12.................................. 17 Big Ten...................................... 16 SEC............................................. 8 Big West...................................... 3 ACC............................................. 2 Big 12......................................... 2 Atlantic 10................................... 1 Big East....................................... 1 Also Receiving Votes: San Diego 101, North Carolina 68, Pepperdine 65, Illinois 49, Miami (Fla.) 41, Oklahoma 35, Kansas State 32, Long Beach State 30, Saint Mary's (Calif.) 27, Texas A&M 20, Wisconsin 17, CALIFORNIA 16, Colorado State 15, Notre Dame 6, San Diego State 6, Northern Iowa 3. Natalie Hagglund, USC 10 // 2013 PAC-12 VOLLEYBALL MEDIA GUIDE // PREVIEW Adrienne Gehan, California