Lady Griz ready to take flight
Eight returners look to lead Fruitland to promised land
By Ray Rodriguez
Argus Observer
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 9:57 AM PDT
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| Argus Observer File Photo
Fruitland libero Kelsie Lewis (front) makes the dig while teammate Melissa Pennecard looks on in this Argus Observer file photo. Lewis and Pennecard are two of eight returning starters who will be counted on to lead the Lady Grizzlies back to the state playoffs. |
Fruitland—In two years, Fruitland’s head volleyball coach Lisa O’Neil has spearheaded a turnaround in the Lady Grizzly program.
O’Neil has led her squad to back-to-back district championships and a state placement in 2006 (sixth) and 2007 (fifth).
In the off-season, O’Neil challenged some the state’s best with her squad and the Lady Grizzlies lived up to their potential.
The early performance has O’Neil ready to hit the hardwood.
“I am excited about our upcoming season,” O’Neil said. “The girls played a lot of volleyball this summer and attended a fantastic team camp in Bend. We scheduled three competitive tournaments in Twin Falls, Bonneville and Mountain View against 4A and 5A teams throughout the state.”
Last year, Fruitland finished the regular season with a 15-0 overall record and an undefeated 8-0 record in Snake River Valley Conference play.
The Lady Grizzlies return eight netters this season, seven of which are seniors, in their quest for a state championship.
One of the seniors making the return for O’Neil is first-team all-league, first-team all-state standout Kylee Nawahine.
Nawahine (5 feet, 11 inches) was the stud outside hitter/setter who led the Fruitland volleyball team to a SRV title, district title and a fifth-place finish at the 3A state tournament.
Last year, Nawahine posted eye-popping numbers on the court with 168 kills, 184 assists, 70 digs, 66 service aces and 63 blocks.
Also making a return are libero Kelsie Lewis, defensive specialist/setter Melissa Pennecard and outside hitter Whitney Mahler.
Those three will log some heavy minutes and provide depth for O’Neil, who can mix and match many combinations and not lose continuity.
Kara Walton (OH), Ashley Holt (5-8, OH), Megan Rice (MH) and Jennalee Ryan (5-3, DS) round out the rest of the returning varsity players.
With the graduation of Bailie Olson, Michelle Meine and Necia Dalley, the eight returners have some shoes to fill.
Olson, who was the SRV’s most valuable player, had an all-around 2007 season with 90 kills, 99 digs, 22 blocks and 20 service aces.
Meine posted 120 kills and 80 blocks and was a second team all-state and first-team all-SRV selection.
Tryouts begin Aug. 15 and the rest of the roster is expected to be filled.
With all three levels fielding full rosters a season ago, the competition will be fierce for a shot on the varsity squad.
Not only is O’Neil blessed with tremendous talent on the court, the veteran coach will have plenty of support from assistant coaches Tammy Mahler, Rena Sitz and new freshman coach and Treasure Valley Community College alum Brooke Fahnestocke. Fahnestocke replaces Renae Weber, who O’Neil said moved to Fruitland Middle School to help build the program at that level.
Fahnestocke (350 assists, 83 digs) was a second-team all-league selection as a setter and led TVCC to a playoff berth in 2007.
“We have a great coaching staff. They are extremely dedicated to the program,” O’Neil said. “They all coached 12- and 14-year-old club volleyball programs during the winter for Fruitland girls in fourth through eighth grade.”
