The Collegian

Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Victor Labrousse Left to Right: Freshmen Kapua Kamana'o, Shannon Lowell, Kelly Huston, Megan York, and Christy Payne have led the Gaels to a 5-0 record in the first two weeks on the road.

Typically you would not think five freshmen leading a team into a match against the #3 team in the nation had a chance. A perfect 5-0 record does not seem much like the early production of a freshmen led team either.

Megan York, Kelly Huston, Christy Payne, Shannon Lowell, and Kapua Kamana'o were brought in by Head Coach Rob Browning in the hopes to recharge the team and they have done so very quickly.

After the volleyball team failed to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years and losing key seniors and transfers, a rebuilding process seemed to be beginning for the program. After the first two weekends of play, it seems that this team is not rebuilding but ready for their comeback.

Coming off their first road weekend in which they defeated the Arizona Wildcats, they summed up their experience. "We were nervous weeks before we left [for Arizona]," said York.

What made the transition easy for them was the immediate team chemistry. "We all get along so well," Houston said. York reiterated Houston's point. "It's one of the reasons [we are winning]," York said.

San Antonio, TX native York was the #63 ranked volleyball player in the nation by Prepvolleyball.com and named Division 4 Player of the Year her senior year.

This is not to say they have not noticed the level of competition. "[It's] definitely a lot more intense," Lowell said. York agreed with Lowell. "The level of competition is definitely better," York said.

Another issue for this young team should have been its lack of a senior to lead. That has not been a problem either. "It's one of the least of our worries," said Payne. "I think the juniors have done a good job."

Some of the players believe these so-called deficiencies are helpful to the team. "It's kind of an advantage," said Lowell. "We'll probably be underestimated."

Winning is not new to any of them. Huston won three straight CIF Championships from 2004 to 2006. Payne recorded back-to-back league titles while she led her team to a NCS and NorCal Championship. Kamana'o won the Hawaiian State Championship in 2005. Lowell won the California State Championships in 2005.

Among the schools attempting to recruit them were Duke University, University of Texas, University of Tennessee, Univerity of Nevada Reno, and the University of Miami.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools