George Washington University Athletics
GW Volleyball Season Outlook
8/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Quick Facts & Prospectus | 2015 Schedule
After making appearances in the Atlantic 10 Championship Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Championship match over the past four seasons, the George Washington volleyball team has one goal in mind as the 2015 season gets underway.
"Our goal is to win the Atlantic 10 Championship," said fifth-year Head Coach Amanda Ault. "And what better way to do it then on our home floor," continued Ault, alluding to the 2015 A-10 Championship taking place at the Charles E. Smith Center in November.
Last season the Colonials put forth the best season in 14 years, with the most overall wins (22) and conference wins (11) since 2000 and the program's first appearance in the A-10 championship match since 2002.
The run ended in the A-10 Championship match, a tough four-set loss to host Dayton, but it left the Colonials wanting more.
"We need to get back to playing consistently on a regular basis," said Coach Ault. "We won seven straight matches to end the season before the loss against Dayton, but in that match our consistency got away from us. It prevented us from reaching our goal."
The Colonials have made tremendous strides over the past five seasons. The squad has risen in the Atlantic 10 standings, ranked amongst the top-50 nationally in a number of statistical categories and produced the program's third-ever AVCA All-American in Chidima Osuchukwu.
"It has been a continual progression over these past five years," said Coach Ault. "Last season was amazing but nobody is satisfied with how it ended. Winning the conference title is the next step that we need to take."
The Colonials have been hard at work in training camp since August 10 with two practices a day for 11 consecutive days. The team, which features 10 returning letterwinners and six newcomers, has had a visual stimulant present in the Smith Center from which they have drawn inspiration every day.
"A promotional banner for the A-10 Championship was installed inside the gym and we practice under it every day," said Coach Ault. "We were talking about how we need something to be our reset button and that banner represents just that. There are going to be ups and downs during the season but that banner hanging there is a reminder for us, every single day, of our number one goal."
Breaking down the Colonials by position:
SETTERS
Senior Jordan Timmer returns to the starting setter position after ranking third overall in the Atlantic 10 with 1,122 total assists last season. She also finished third in the A-10 and ranked 50th in NCAA Division I with 10.79 assists per set while tallying 40+ helpers in 16 matches.
"Jordan has worked extremely hard this summer here on campus," said Coach Ault. "She concentrated on location and getting reps and she has gotten much stronger. You can tell her hard work has paid off when she is on the floor."
Junior Emily Clemens, who has totaled 806 assists in her first two seasons, is working her way back from an injury but will contribute at the setting position and around the floor once healthy.
"We are looking forward to what Emily can bring to the floor once she gets healthy," said Coach Ault. "She was here for summer school and put in a lot of hard work so now we are just waiting for her to get back to form."
In Clemens' absence, junior Natalie Leger has filled in admirably in the setter position during training camp.
"With Emily out of action, Nat has stepped in and done a wonderful job," said Coach Ault. "I cannot say enough about what she brings to this team. She is such a selfless leader. It is all about what the team needs and how she can most effect this group. She stepped in with zero setting experience and has done a great job. She makes the other side competitive in practice and brings that feisty attitude that the position requires."
MIDDLES
Junior Chidima Osuchukwu, who became GW's third-ever AVCA All-American after a standout sophomore season, headlines a deep stable of middle blockers for the Colonials. She led the Atlantic 10 and ranked ninth overall in the nation with 1.47 blocks per set last season while also pacing the conference with an average of 3.74 kills per set. In two seasons she has totaled 671 kills while swinging .360.
"Chichi continues to add to her game, which entering her junior season is essential," said Coach Ault. "She is somebody that everyone is going to be keying on and she can't hide any more. She knows that she needs to become a more versatile player and add some things to her game and she has worked really hard on doing just that."
Sophomore Kristel Moor, a 6-foot-2 transfer from Auburn, joins the Colonials with three years of eligibility remaining. The Estonia native appeared in 14 matches for the Tigers last season and totaled 52 kills.
"Kristel will wind up on the right side for us," said Coach Ault. "She is a lefty so that adds a different dynamic to the game that people aren't used to seeing. That will be a weapon for her over there. She is learning a lot and you can tell. Her game has grown so much in just a few short weeks. She is very mature and adds a lot to this team. Jordan already feels like that she can rely on Kristel over on the right side."
Senior Maggie Skejelbred has played in 250 sets during her first three seasons and will provide valuable depth in the middle of the floor. She posted career-highs in kills (198), hitting percentage (.265), aces (17) and blocks (117) last season.
"Maggie has done a good job and has moments of brilliance on the floor for us," said Coach Ault. "An example of that would be our match at Rhode Island when she had 10 blocks in a huge win for us. If she stays consistent she can do great things for us."
Also returning in the middle for GW is sophomore Emily Newell.
"Emily has made such an impact in the gym for us this summer," said Coach Ault. "She came back with such intensity and grit and her attitude rubs off on everybody around her."
Freshman Alexis Lete, joins the Colonials after a standout scholastic career at New Albany High School in Indiana.
"Alexis will take some time to develop but she is already zoned in," said Coach Ault. "She knows that she has a lot to learn and she is committed. She puts in extra practice every day. When talking about two-a-days, that is impressive."
HITTERS
Junior Loren Williams continued her upward trajectory with 193 kills across 85 sets as a sophomore. She excelled down the stretch of the regular season and into the A-10 Championship where recorded a career-high 14 kills against Saint Louis in the semifinals and was named to the All-Championship Team.
"We are looking for Loren to be that reliable player that we can turn to in tough situations," said Coach Ault. "If people are closing in on Chichi, we are going to have to rely on Loren to open the floor back up for us. The experience and confidence that she gained when Kelsey Newman went down late last season was huge. She had a great spring season, concentrating on defense and ball control, and it has shown throughout camp."
Sophomore Aaliya Davidson is another returning player that will contribute from the outside. She tallied 151 kills, including double-digit winners in five matches, across 69 sets in her debut season.
Freshman Kelsey Clark, a 2014 AVCA Honorable Mention Scholastic All-American, will contribute immediately in GW's opening weekend. She was a middle blocker throughout high school but has shown promise as an outside hitter.
"We are moving positions with Kelsey, but she is so athletic that she can make an impact on the outside for us," said Coach Ault. "We never knew how much ball control she has and that has been her biggest surprise. Her feel of her platform and her ability to take care of balls, both defensively and in serve receive, make her a candidate to be one of the best freshmen in the A-10 this season."
Freshman Hanna Justesen was a three-time selection to the All-Nebraska First Team and a two-time Super State selection after a successful scholastic career at Elmwood-Murdock High School. She will provide key depth on the outside.
"Hanna is coming back from a knee injury so we want to make sure she is strong and ready to go before we put her in a situation to make an impact on the outside," said Coach Ault. "She has been playing on the back line through camp and I can say that she does not play like a freshman. She is demanding on the floor, has great court vision and is a very competitive player.
LIBERO/DS
Senior Maddy Doyle enters her final season with 1,171 career digs and will once again be the anchor on a back line that has a fair amount of experience. She has increased her dig total in each of her three seasons, highlighted by 473 last season, the sixth most in a single season in program history.
"Maddy had another great year of development and is ready for her senior year," said Coach Ault. "She stayed on campus all summer and worked out every day. She is a great example of what our staff expectations are for every individual on this team. You can see that she is determined. She has goals she wants to accomplish this year so she is making sure everyone is getting started down the right path."
Junior Maddie Brown will join Doyle on the back line, bringing with her two years of experience after transferring from NC State. She appeared in 55 matches across two seasons, averaging 2.9 digs per set.
"Maddie is going to be great for our ball control," said Coach Ault. "She has a great feel for where the ball is going to go and she makes it look so easy with her first contact. She is going to step in and play an impactful defensive position for us. She brings that maturity of being a junior and playing in a big conference so she can step in and can help run the floor for us."
Sophomore Christina Porada gained valuable experience as a freshman, totaling 110 digs in 30 matches. She will provide key depth and continue to make an impact in the serve rotation.
"Christina makes some great moves and has some good quickness," said Coach Ault. "In her development, I want to see her communication improve. Her game will grow even more once she asserts herself on the floor by calling balls and being vocal."
Freshman Gillian Kane rounds out GW's lineup. A versatile player with experience at multiple positions, Kane will provide depth in the back court throughout the season.
"You cannot tell that Gillian is a freshman," said Coach Ault. "She is such a mature player. She has a lot to learn and we are making some changes to her game, but she is going to be somebody that drives this team. She definitely has the head of a libero. She is truthful, she tells it as it is and is like a sponge out there. "
