When perennial powerhouses get hit, they hit right back.

Despite its youth, the Grand Valley State University women’s volleyball team hopes to compete for the top spot in GLIAC this year after a disappointing finish to the 2012-2013 season.

After posting a 25-8 (13-5 GLIAC) record, the Lakers advanced to the GLIAC Tournament championship game but were defeated by Northwood University 3-1. Then, in the first round of the Midwest Region Tournament, GVSU’s season came to an end when Hillsdale College pulled off a 3-1 upset.

“We’ll be using that as extra fuel,” said GVSU senior captain Alisha Laing. “We know we could have made it further than we did.”

The team returns five starters this season, but still lacks experience with a roster comprised of 13 underclassmen and only two seniors. Head coach Deanne Scanlon said her expectations are
steadfast.

“Our first goal is to bring home the conference championship,” Scanlon said. “That’s first and foremost on our mind.”

Sophomore outside hitter Betsy Ronda looks to lead the team after being named the 2012 GLIAC Freshman of the Year. She became the first rookie in school history to earn All-GLIAC First Team honors last season, ranking sixth in the conference with 390 kills.

Ronda, a former East Grand Rapids High School standout, said she is fully confident in her team’s ability to compete with the GLIAC’s best.

“We have the talent to get there and beyond,” she said. “We are a young team that still has a lot of room to grow.”

Opposite Ronda is junior outside hitter Abby Aiken, who earned a spot on the All-GLIAC second team. Her 364 kills were the eighth most in the conference. Junior Clair Ruhenkamp also returns to the team after being named All-GLIAC Honorable Mention for the second straight year. In order to be the conference’s best team, though, GVSU must go through a Northwood team that finished with a 17-1 record against GLIAC opponents last year.

“We know this year, Northwood is the team to beat in our league,” Aiken said. “We have that will and that drive to beat them. We’re looking for revenge.”

Defensively, GVSU has some big shoes to fill with the departure of its only senior, middle blocker and Daktronics, Inc. First Team All-Midwest Region selection Eno Umoh. Umoh finished her four-year career with the third most total blocks (509) in school history. Scanlon said filling this void will be an important step for her team this year.

“We lost a key player,” she said. “But that’s part of our success, having great (underclassmen) to step in to replace those who graduate. Eno was fortunate to have an All-American mentor in Rebeccah Rapin, and last year, our young players had Eno to look up to.”

Scanlon’s ability to win consistently in the ever-competitive GLIAC is evidenced by her 468-143 (258-67 GLIAC) career record. The five-time Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year has finished with a winning record in each of her 18 seasons, posting 20 or more wins 14 times.

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