2007-2008 Volleyball Preview

New season, new coaching staff, new goals. This is how things are looking for the 2007 Beaver volleyball team. The upcoming season for the Beavers will be full of exciting changes as well as maintaining traditional strengths. After finishing last season 7 – 15 overall the Beavers have come back hungry.

Head coach, Johnna Lewis, comes to the Beavers with a lengthy and impressive resume of accomplishments. Lewis, originally from Minot , was a standout athlete at Minot High before contributing her talents to the MSU-Bottineau LadyJacks. Lewis spent the following year as the Head Coach for MSU Bottineau and then went on to coach the Bottineau High school team leading them to a seventh place finish at State in February 2002 and a third place finish in November 2002. Her outstanding high school coaching record of 109-31 made her a perfect fit when Williston State College was looking for a coach. Lewis had two successful years at WSC coaching her team to a conference championship, two regional championships, and a showing at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in 2006.

Rounding out the new coaching staff are former MSU Beaver, Katie Aide, and former WSC Teton Alissa Hoehn. Aide will be coming on staff as the graduate assistant. Aide is working towards her master's degree in Speech Pathology. Hoehn will be helping as an assistant coach while finishing her degree in Secondary Education with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Physics.

The three returning seniors will be called upon to lead the Beaver team.

Returning powerhouse Whitney Stobbs will be finishing out a strong showing at Minot State University . This veteran brings strength and leadership both defensively and along the net. Two former WSC players finish out the group of seniors. Ashley Henry will be looked upon as one of two quarterbacks of the newly developed offense. Her hard work and competitive drive will bring good things to the Beavers. Rachel Macaulay's varied offensive skills and solid defensive presence will be an asset to the Beaver squad.

Returning player Suzi Paradine will be a leader offensively from the right-side position. After a strong season last year she will bring a confidence to the front row both offensively and defensively. Shari Dueck, an incoming freshman from Prince Albert , Saskatchewan , will be called upon to fill out the right-side position.

Tracee Tesch, comes with a season of experience under her belt in the setting position, and will also be competing as the other quarterback for the Beavers. Her excellent hands and court awareness make her a strong player. Also competing for the setting position is, Andrea Long , and WSC transfer Courtenay Burckhard.

The Beavers will be looking at sturdy defense from Minot Ryan's own

Molly Lundeen and returning player Alex Graham. Lundeen, along with Amanda Warnett, will be asked to contribute their offensive skills and bring depth along the net.

Bottineau High School standout, Courtney Hahn, is an exciting addition to the Lady Beaver program. Hahn's strong skills, competitiveness, and overall athleticism will make her a valued player in the middle position. Also contributing their skills in the middle are Eastern Wyoming transfer, Jill Lockie, returning Beaver Lacey Smith, and Jaclyn Sansaver from Wolfpoint , MT.

  Nicole Koropas, a transfer Lakeland College , will be redshirting for the Lady Beavers this season. Nicole will be an asset to the Beavers because of her work ethic and her competitive drive.

  The Beavers are looking forward to stepping back on the court this season, priding themselves on their defensive abilities and ever improving offense. Head Coach Johnna Lewis says, “I'm excited about the opportunity to work with this group of athletes. They are a hardworking, determined group of athletes who will be fun to watch develop.”