Photo by John Contreras

Jessa Bradshaw, a middle blocker and rightside hitter from Las Cruces, N.M., is one of 11 freshman on the LCC women's volleyball roster this season.

Expectations will be high according to second-year head coach Mike Stephens as the LCC women’s volleyball team eyes the start of new season.

Not new to the coaching ranks before arriving at LCC, Stephens admitted that last year was a learning experience for him.

“I learned a lot of things,” he said. “Don’t assume anything with kids at this level. I found some challenges coming from a four-year school to a two-year school. It’s really difficult to rely on sophomores as leaders because really they’re only a year older than the freshmen. I learned to be very explicit in my instruction and details.”

Looking back on last year’s season, Stephens said it was a bit rocky, but the way his team finished the season was tremendous.

“It was our best finish ever in the history of LCC volleyball,” he noted. “I knew that the level of play would be real high in the conference, but I didn’t know our schedule would be as tough as it was. We played 13 matches against teams that were in the Top 15 in the country. This is a hot bed for great volleyball.”

Stephens has only three sophomores returning on the roster but feels with his crop of new recruits, the Lady ’Lopes should be highly competitive on the court.

“Being a juco school that’s always a challenge with your retention,” he said. “Some kids are not happy being this far away or they want to pursue a different degree plan. We brought in 11 great kids and a lot of them have club experience. LCC hasn’t been able to recruit a lot of players with club experience, so I’m looking forward to all of them really pitching in real fast. I think this will be one of the strongest recruiting classes LCC has ever had.”

The returning sophomores will feature Shawna Weber, a libero and defensive specialist from Elizabeth, Colo.; Tori Ivey, a defensive specialist from Florissant, Colo.; and Justine Border, an outside hitter from Colorado Springs, Colo.

“Shawna was our starting libero last year,” said Stephens. “So, we’re looking for her to be a floor leader defensively.”

“Tori saw significant playing time last year both as a setter and a defensive specialist,” Stephens said. “We’re probably looking at her more as a DS because we did bring in two setters.”

Stephens explained that Borders wasn’t able to play last year but she practiced with the team every day.

“She’ll probably be a starting outside hitter and is great on defense,” he said. “She has a super serve and will do well on offense for us.”

With some big holes to fill, the freshmen prospects will be expected to step in immediately.

“Some kids are playing positions that they are not accustomed too,” said Stephens. “But they’re okay with that.”

Looking to lead the hitting attack in the front row will be outside hitter Dustina Bitten from Colorado Springs and middle hitter Jessa Bradshaw from Las Cruces, N.M.

“Both are super atheltic,” said Stephens. “Dustina is a floor leader and very vocal. She doesn’t have any problem being new here. Jessa is just a natural athlete. She’s tall and lean and very quick. She just needs to understand the sport of volleyball a little bit better.”

Also looking to play significant roles at the net will be Holly McKenzie of Williamsburg, N.M.; Brianna Claflin of Trinidad, Colo.; Adrianna Abreu and Sarah Nunez of Albuquerque, N.M.; and Kelly Ahlers of Arvada, Colo.

Handling the setting duties will be newcomers Emily Schaefer of Monte Vista, Colo. and Jennifer Long from Ulysses, Kans.

“Both our setters are just unbelievable,” Stephens said. “Last year, we made a setter out of an outside hitter. This year, I have two great setters to the point we actually may run a 6-2 offense which is pretty unusual these days.”

Stephens said he’s in the position of having four defensive specialists this year. Besides Weber and Ivey, looking to cover the floor in the back row will be Kaylin Sullivan of Truth or Consequences, N.M.; and Lucia Fraire of Albuquerque, N.M.

“They’re all tremendous kids and they all seem to get along really well and have a great sense of humor.,” said the LCC mentor. “None of them complain when you tell them that they need to work harder. They’re willing to accept the challenge. We really set the bar high both athletically and academically. It’s going to be a great year and I can’t wait!”

Another key addition to the team will be new assistant coach Courtney Heiser, a standout volleyball player and a recent graduate of Western New Mexico University.

“Courtney has been a huge asset to the team,” lauded Stephens. “She has tremendous volleyball experience and knows the sport. She is basically my right hand person.”

Stephens will see his team under fire this weekend when they will host the Runnin’ Lopes Kick-Off Tournament on Friday and Saturday at the LCC Wellness Center.

Besides the Lady ’Lopes, other teams participating will be Seward Community College, Clarendon College, Dodge City Community College, and Northern Oklahoma. Every team will play four matches on Friday. LCC will open the tournament playing Dodge City at 1 p.m. on Friday. A double-elimination tournament will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

LCC will also have the privilege of hosting the Region IX South Tournament this year on November 6-8.