2018 William Penn Volleyball Preview
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Head Coach Aleesha Cleaver interview video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGNxnyZlytk
2017 record: 12-25 (3-16 Heart, 13th)
Starters returning/lost: 5/1
Letterwinners returning/lost: 13/6
Notable returners:
Ashley Miller Sr. Kalona, Iowa
(Second-team all-Heart, 832 digs)
Haley Smith Sr. Adrian, Mich.
(Letterwinner, 923 Assists)
Jordan Carter Sr. Sigourney, Iowa
(Letterwinner, 298 kills, 24 blocks)
Nashali Cruz So. Bayamon, P.R.
(Letterwinner, 277 kills, 45 blocks)
Notable losses:
Claire Simmons
(Three-year letterwinner)
Notable newcomers:
Danielle Pendzinski Jr. Winnebago, Ill.
Corrin Lepper Fr. Jefferson City, Mo.
Elena Lucero Fr. Yuba City, Calif.
The Statesmen women’s volleyball team believes it is poised for a breakout year and is ready to make an impact in the conference as it begins action in the 2018 campaign.
Under the direction of first-year head coach Aleesha Cleaver, William Penn looks to improve upon its 12-25 record from a year ago (3-16 Heart). The navy and gold played in many quality, high-competitive matches in 2017, but fell short of expectations.
The Statesmen will have a good mix of both quality returners and solid newcomers. The returners are headlined by a strong group of seniors, including Ashley Miller (Sr., Kalona, Iowa, Exercise Science) and Jordan Carter (Sr., Sigourney, Iowa, Elementary Education). They will welcome notable newcomers Danielle Pendzinski (Jr., Winnebago Ill.) and Corrin Lepper (Fr., Jefferson City Mo., Exercise Science) with the expectations to compete and make a positive move within the conference.
“We have a great group this season,” Cleaver said. “We have some great pieces, new and returning, and right now it’s just working on them getting acquainted with one another and seeing who steps up.”
Miller earned second-team all-Heart of America Athletic Conference recognition last season and will be a staple for WPU on the court.
Outside Hitter
Carter returns after a very strong junior season in which she posted an impressive 298 kills along with 38 aces, leading the team in both categories.
Alicia Jaquez (So., Farmington, N.M., Biology) is coming off a solid freshman campaign and looks to figure into the rotation throughout the season. Jaquez finished last season with 152 kills, ranking fourth on the squad. She will be challenged by junior Raquel Toy (Jr., Elizabeth, Colo., Undecided) and fellow sophomore Cassie Emnase (So., Hilo, Hawaii, Exercise Science) who are both looking to make an impact during the 2018 season.
Right Side Hitter
On the other end of the net, there seems to be even more competition as Alexis Weatherspoon (Sr., Kansas City, Mo., Physical Education), Kianna Childers (So., Copperas Cove, Texas, Psychology), and Lepper will be vying for the starting spot.
Childers was playing well during the 2017 campaign, tallying 32 kills in just 38 games before her season was cut short by a knee injury. She will look to bounce back in 2018 and to be a solid contributor for the Statesmen.
Middle Hitter
William Penn has great depth at the middle hitter position with a group of players who can all bring something different to the court.
Nashali Cruz (So., Bayamon, P.R., Biology) is coming off an impressive freshman season in which she produced 277 kills, good for second of the team, along with 45 blocks.
Nesreen Iskandrani (Jr., Lawrence, Kan., History/Government) and Kiara Davis (Jr., Thibodaux, La., Biology) are expected to produce at the position as well. Both bring a high level of athleticism on the defensive side of the ball. Pendzinski is also going to be a big addition for the Statemen due to her versatility and ability to play both the middle and the outside at a high level.
Davis led the team in blocks last season with 51.
Setter
Haley Smith (Sr., Adrian, Mich., Elementary Education) will bring both a wealth of experience and ability to the setter position for the navy and gold in 2018. The three-year letterwinner logged 923 assists a season ago and will look to duplicate that level of productivity during her senior campaign.
If the Statesmen decide to roll with a two-setter formation, Smith will be sharing the responsibilities with Taniah Ayap (So., Hilo, Hawaii, Exercise Science), Marie Garcia (Sr., Kaneohe, Hawaii, Communications), or newcomer Elena Lucero (Fr., Yuba City, Calif.).
Ayap was second on the team in assists as freshman, totaling 206.
Libero/Defensive Specialist
Miller’s 832 digs in 2017 were good for fourth in the nation as she figures to be a mainstay in the lineup throughout the season.
Haley Vampran (Sr., Fort Worth, Texas, Exercise Science), with 292 digs, and Belle Potter (Sr., Spokane, Wash., Sociology and Human Services), with 82, are two veterans who will also compete for the spot, while Casi Gacusana (Jr., Kea’au, Hawaii, Biology) also looks to carve out a role on the team in 2018.
Schedule/Conference
William Penn opens 2018 with four matches at the Robert Morris Tournament Friday and Saturday. As they prepare for an 18-match Heart schedule, the Statesmen will also compete in two more tournaments and a few regular contests, headlined by the home opener with Hannibal-LaGrange on September 6. WPU will face conference foes from both the ‘North’ and ‘South’ divisions throughout the season, with a total of 10 home league matchups.
Grand View and Central Methodist are expected to receive quite the battle from Benedictine and a few others for the Heart crown, while Cleaver believes her Statesmen will be in the mix to compete for, at the very least, a bid to the postseason tournament.
