SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara volleyball kicks off the 2016 season at the end of the month and went back on the court this week to prepare for another rugged schedule after making the school's 16th NCAA Tournament appearance last year.
The Broncos began their preseason program with a pair of workouts Tuesday on the newly-installed Leavey Center floor.
Head coach Jon Wallace, who begins his 18th season at the helm of the one of the nation's top programs, looks to mix in six newcomers with a strong returning cast, led by Nikki Hess and Kirsten Mead, both 2015 first-team All-West Coast Conference selections.
That duo, along with regulars Sabrina Clayton, Anna McCreadie, Jensen Cunningham and Mary Shepherd, should provide the Broncos with another formidable lineup.
"It's great to be back in the gym again especially with the five seniors who we have going into 2016," Wallace said. "This is a group which has been to two consecutive NCAA Tournaments and battled, getting real close to WCC Championships. So they are thrilled to be back."
Wallace will look to his five-member senior class for leadership for a team coming off a 22-9 season, including a 13-5 mark in the WCC.
"Nikki Hess and Sabina Clayton are two girls who have been on the court for us for four straight years," Wallace said. "Those two, along with Mary Shepherd, Katrina Inch and Madison Dutra, are bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge. From our first practice today, they are just steady and ready. It's great to have that group of solid people and solid players."
Hess (450) and Clayton (338) were the top kills producers last season, while McCreadie, a WCC All-Freshman pick, was third with 231 and Cunningham fourth with 207.
Nearly all those kills were attributed to Mead, who produced a remarkable 1,228 of the team's 1,459 assists.
"Kirsten, an all-conference and all-region player, will be in her third year as our starting setter," Wallace said. "She has only gotten better from a year ago, being able to master more facets of the game from a serving, blocking and digging standpoint."
The Broncos look to replace their three seniors from last year's squad – Danielle Rottman, Lacey Maas and GiGi Cresto – with a first-year class that includes Michelle Gajdka, Callie Jones, Allison Kantor, Taylor Laugero, Ngozi Nwabuzho and Laura Willems.
"It's an infusion of great energy and athleticism," Wallace said. "They look up to the seniors and really want to work hard for them. It's a great environment and great time in our gym right now."
The Broncos open the regular season on Aug. 26 in the USC Baden Invitational, facing UC Irvine in the opening match of the two-day tournament. Santa Clara plays the No. 7-ranked Trojans and Marquette the following day.
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