Only in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) would the fourth nationally ranked team open the season in the middle of the conference standings.
The Biola women’s volleyball team kicks off its 2008 campaign ranked fourth after making it to the semifinals of last year’s national championship. They look to build on that effort in the hyper-competitive GSAC after returning all of their starters, while coach Aaron Seltzer has also brought in five freshman recruits.
Key returning players from last year include senior outside hitter and two-time All-American Meghan Warkentin, as well as Biola record holders Abbie Wright and defensive specialist Katie Stevens, who hold the records for sets and digs per game, respectively. Senior middle blocker Kristen Peterson and outside hitters Jessica Buffum and Maggie McGill are all gearing up for a big season after stellar preseason performances.
Biola has started its season with a pair of dominating tournament performances at rival GSAC schools. In eight preseason games they have outscored their opponents 25-17 on average, including matches against four top 25 teams.
On Sept. 2, Biola traveled to Carson for a non-conference matchup with NCAA Division II Cal State Dominguez Hills, and again had familiar results. In their first regular season game, Biola swept the Toros 25-13, 29-27 and 25-22. McGill and Warkentin paced Biola with 11 kills each while McGill finished with an excellent .429 hitting percentage. Setter Christina Perkins recorded 24 assists.
In the final tune-up before the conference opener against Vanguard, Biola hosted Holy Names College Friday for its first home game of the season. Though Holy Names was a difficult opponent, Biola swept their competitor to make it a perfect 10-0-0 on the season. Against Holy Names, Biola again balanced their attack, recording 11 players with multiple kills while Perkins and Wright combined for 32 assists.
Remarkably, Biola has dropped only three games in their 10 victories to open the season in a truly dominating fashion. In an interview, McGill named these team qualities as paramount to their success this season, “Team chemistry and everyone on the same page, having fun,” she said. “When we are relaxed and having fun together we are unstoppable.”
As Biola embarks on what looks to be another promising season, a key date to look forward to is their Sept. 30 matchup against national champions Fresno Pacific. This game has the makings of a grudge match for both teams, as Biola upset Fresno’s chances at a perfect season late last year in a five-set nail biter at Chase Gymnasium, while the Sunbirds later iced Biola’s season in the championship semifinals.
No season preview would be complete without a glance at archrival Azusa Pacific University. Last season, Biola knocked then fifth-ranked Azusa out of postseason play and eliminated their chance at even attending the championship playoffs, making Azusa the highest ranked team not to compete for the title. This year, Biola will battle a Cougar team that has dropped to 16th in the nation after losing several key players and are bringing in a record seven freshman. Much like last year, Azusa will struggle to advance to the postseason.
While Biola looks to be in the race for the conference lead late into the season, McGill emphasized that they are taking it one game at a time.
“Each game is different and anything can happen in GSAC. But I believe that we are honestly taking each game for what it’s ultimately worth…the win,” said McGill. “Concordia, Fresno and Cal Baptist are going to be great games though.”
Biola’s home season continues Saturday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. in Chase Gymnasium against Westmont University.
