Nov. 18, 2009
The Bronco volleyball team will close out the regular season at home when it hosts Pepperdine at 7 pm on Nov. 19 and LMU at 1 pm - Senior Day - on Nov. 21. Santa Clara will honor its three seniors - Lauryn Dowd, Kim Courtney and Lindsy Davigeagono - prior to the match with the Lions.
Santa Clara is 15-12 and 5-7 in the WCC this year. Pepperdine comes to Santa Clara on Thursday night with a 15-10 record, including 8-4 in the WCC. LMU travels to USF on Thursday night prior to playing the Broncos on Saturday and sport a 12-14 record and a 3-9 record in the WCC. Santa Clara defeated both last month in Los Angeles.
"This week we are working to give the seniors our best effort to help them end their senior year on a good note. We are working on playing freely, aggressively and together," said Bronco head volleyball coach Jon Wallace. "We want our 2010 returnees to continue to grind towards getting better. We want to show improvement as a team every team we step on the court. We have talked a lot about making this week a positive experience for the seniors and also as a kick start for next year."
Wallace is looking forward to Senior Day with fond memories of each senior. Davigeadono leads the team with 276 kills. Courtney is averaging 1.62 dpg and has six aces this season. While Dowd didn't play for the Broncos this year due to a lower leg injury, she has worked with the coaching staff in implementing a number of marketing ideas.
"We missed Lauryn's competitive spirit on the floor this year," said Wallace. "She was a major part of the last team that won the league title in 2007. She was a big part of the 2007 team - she competed so hard each match."
In 2007 Dowd started 29 of the 31 matches and hit .256 with 219 kills. She led the team in aces (37) and total blocks (71).
Wallace said while Courtney wasn't a six-rotation player this year, she has had a huge impact on the team.
"She is a great server, passer and defender but her greatest quality is her desire to win," said Wallace. "Her biggest moment might have been the service ace in game five that helped us clinch the league crown against Pepperdine in 2007."
Wallace looks at Davigeadono as the team's `do everything player'. She has played middle, set, outside, opposite - just about everything that's been asked of her she has accomplished at a good rate. She will finish her career in the career top 10 of total blocks.
"She was the WCC Player of the Week earlier this season and has brought a lot to the court for us during her four years," said Wallace. "She will be missed."
It's obvious Wallace will miss this group of seniors as the program moves forward. "Right now we are pushing forward to right the ship and we will continue to. We know the future is bright and we want to set up our kids as best as we can. The coaching staff and the girls are excited about the future. We need to continue the grind because we know the hard work will pay off for us."
"Pepperdine is always a big rivalry game for us and ending the season on a high note for the seniors vs. LMU on Saturday is important for us," added Wallace.
