Washburn Volleyball Has Unfinished Business

By David Boyce

TOPEKA, Kan. - By most standards, the Washburn volleyball team had a hugely successful season, especially after losing two dynamic hitters who led the Lady Blues to the 2007 NCAA Division II semifinals.

Washburn was 30-6 overall and 15-5 and tied for third in the MIAA in 2008.

The finish, though, took some luster off the sparkling record.

"The season lasted 20 weeks, and we were competitive for the first 18 weeks and the last two we weren't," Washburn coach Chris Herron said. "We weren't competitive within ourselves."

What's the saying: it's not how you start, but how you finish.

Well, that fit the Lady Blues in 2008. They failed to win a game in their final two matches, including 25-18, 25-21, 25-15 to Central Missouri in the first round of the Division II South Central regional.

"That was not the best moment for us," said junior outside hitter Ashley Shepard of Rossville, Kan.

Still, the Lady Blues proved a point. Herron, in his eighth season at Washburn, had built a program in which young, talented players were ready to step in when seniors departed.

It didn't matter that the Lady Blues no longer had powerful hitters in Tessa Jones and Mandi Cox. They were as strong as any team in the MIAA during big portions of the conference season.

From Oct. 17 through Oct. 31, Washburn had 3-0 victories over Truman, Emporia State and Central Missouri.

"With the players we had last year, everyone didn't think we would do as well so we really needed to prove a point to show that even though we lost those amazing players we still could do as well without them," Shepard said. "We wish we would have done better."

In some ways, Washburn is beginning this season much like last year. The Lady Blues lost three seniors from the 2008 team, and setter Kate Hampson is the lone senior this year.

Seven freshmen are competing for playing time and to help keep the Lady Blues as one of the powers in the MIAA.

"We are even younger this year, but I know some of the underclassmen are going to step up and do just as good," Shepard said.

"They are all enthusiastic and bring a lot of competition to the team. We had one of our best practices (Tuesday), even from what I remembered from last year. Everything was so competitive and everybody was so excited. It's nice to have that new spark on the team."

The success of the Lady Blues has earned them conference-wide respect. They were picked to finish second in the MIAA in the preseason coaches' poll.

Washburn realizes it is going to take plenty of hard work to stay at or near the top because there are so many good teams.

"When I first came here it was Central and Truman," Herron said. "We kind of made a big dent pretty quick. In 2002, we were lucky enough to win it. And then it was us and Truman. And now Emporia is up there, and Pitt is always good.

"My jaw dropped when I saw them sixth because I know what kind of talent they have. Here's the thing: If they are sixth at the end of the year then that is amazing how good this conference is."

The competition is definitely invigorating for the players.

"It's awesome," Shepard said. "It gets us prepared for the end-of-the-year tournaments. We love it. It's a battle all the way."

The Lady Blues fully understand now why it is important to compete to the very end.

"We've already addressed that issue," Herron said.

So the ultimate goal is pretty simple for the Lady Blues.

"We have to go just as far as last year and hopefully finish stronger," Shepard said. "We kind of went off the deep end at the end of our season last year. Hopefully, we start strong and finish strong and do even better."

Offensive player to watch: Sophomore Mollie Lacy was third on the team in kills last season as a freshman with 289. With a year of experience, Lacy could really be a force this season as a middle or right-side hitter. Lacy made third team all-conference last year.

Defensive player to watch: Junior libero Molly Smith led Washburn with 534 digs. Smith also had 119 sets.

Interesting fact: Ashley Shepard's twin sister, Arica, plays for preseason favorite Emporia State. Washburn and Emporia State are heated rivals in all sports. Ashley, who was granted a medical redshirt in 2007, is a junior. Arica is a senior. It should be a fun season for their parents, Todd and Beth Shepard.

Key game: In the final regular-season game, Emporia State plays at Washburn on Nov. 13. This match could decide the conference title, but the real intrigue is the Shepard twins facing each other one more time. Everybody loves the story of siblings playing at rival schools even though they are probably tired of talking about it.

On Friday: Missouri Western football preview.