This is the third installment of White & Blue Review’s 2009 Creighton volleyball season preview. Join us every day this week as we take a look at each part of Kirsten Bernthal Booth’s club, leading up to the start of their season and the Blue-White Scrimmage on Saturday, August 22.
Middle Blockers
A case could be made that middle blocker is the most established position on the court for the 2009 Creighton volleyball team. Seniors Jessica Houts and Lauren Bloemke return as starters at this position, and their blocking skills will be the key to this team’s success at the net.
After receiving a medical redshirt following a tear to her anterior cruciate ligament in 2007, Houts came back in 2008 to have one of the best seasons in school history. She earned honorable mention All-American accolades and All-Central Region first team honors from the AVCA. She also garnered the 2008 MVC Defensive Player of the Year award. With two school records already in hand, the three-year starter is poised to hit several other records this season including career blocks and career starts. Hoots, as she is nicknamed by others, led the Jays in 5 of 9 major statistical categories last season, and there is nothing to say she can’t do it again.
Bloemke is the other part of the blocking monster. Similarly a 3-year starter, last season Bloemke moved into the top-10 in school history in career hitting percentage, block solos, block assists, and total blocks. Though not as decorated as Houts, teammates respect Bloemke and have big plans for her future. According to the media guide, her teammates consider her most likely to bike across America, most likely to become a sportscaster, and considered to have the messiest locker. But seriously, the combination of these two players on the court at the same time the past three seasons creates a chemistry that can lead the team.
We mentioned that the position is deep, right? Backing up Houts and Bloemke is top reserve Laurel Sanford. Last season as a freshman, Sanford played in 17 matches and even received two starts with solid play. She was a highly touted recruit out of high school. Her 9 kills and 3 blocks in her first career start against Northern Iowa is a great sign of her play against solid competition. Her favorite quote of “go big or go home” shows she is not afraid to give it her all or step in when she is needed.
The wildcard in the position is incoming freshman and local product, Heather Thorson. Thorson starred as a volleyball and basketball player at Mead High School near Fremont, receiving All-Nebraska honors last season. She also showed her diversity in the two sports by leading her team in a couple all-star basketball games this summer. Thorson could contribute more than expected as the volleyball team will play a challenging schedule that includes 12 matches against teams that made the NCAA tournament last season.
Tomorrow, we take a look at the outside hitters who hope to kill the opponents this season. Stay tuned!.
