San Francisco, CA--- As the 2010 season quickly approaches, Academy of Art University must prepare for one of their biggest challenges yet. A new era of ART U athletics has arrived, both on the court and off, as the Urban Knights find themselves settling nicely into the PacWest Conference and working hard to become NCAA Division II Active members. Coming off their best season in school history, this year's Academy of Art University volleyball team has a reservoir of talent and optimism that can be felt around the entire program. All ART U starters, including a powerful outside hitter, are back and that gives the Urban Knights’ coaching staff reason to think this could be the year towards a charge at the PacWest Conference title.
However, some members in the conference do not feel as strongly. Coaches within the PacWest predicted the Urban Knights to finish sixth in the 2010 PacWest Preseason Poll. Head Coach Marcus Young states, “I think any of the top 6 teams [including us] have a shot of winning the conference title. This year there is a lot of parody in the conference among those six teams.” Young continues, “In some ways I think it's good, we will be able to surprise more people because they are expecting us to be like last year, which was all outside hitting and not much else, whereas this season we will have defense and a much more balanced offense.”
The Urban Knights lost just one player from the squad that went 18-15 last season. With eight returnees, and five impressive newcomers ART U looks to harness that talent to dominate all competitors this season.
Coach Young enters his third season at the helm of the Urban Knight program, and expects a more spirited team than ever before. And with the most competitive schedule to date, the Urban Knights plan to rise to the challenge, play hard and compete in every match.
ART U opens their 2010 season with two tournaments, first they return to where it all began, when they travel to Southern California to compete in a tournament co-hosted by Cal State LA and Cal Poly Pomona. The Urban Knights begin 2010 play with a match against Northwood University. The Timberwolves from Michigan went 8-19 last year and return their top offensive player. Cal Poly Pomona is next on the list for ART U, the Broncos finished seventh within a tough CCAA Conference and went 11-18 overall.
On day two, Academy of Art University faces 15th ranked Cal State LA. The Urban Knights battled with the Golden Eagles in the programs first collegiate match two seasons ago. Now, with two years under their belt and wealth of talent on his squad Coach Young and the Urban Knights hope to redeem their previous match and walk out of the Eagles Nest with a victory.
“How we play against Cal State LA will definitely be the most telling part about our season, and our progression [as a program]. They were our first match ever and we want to see where we are two season later against a nationally ranked team,” said Young.
Their preseason path does not get any easier as they next head to the Peggy Martin Classic in Warrensburg, Mo. This tournament will prove to be equally, if not more, challenging for the Urban Knights, facing teams such as; Edinboro University, East Central Oklahoma, Eckerd College, and University of Indianapolis.
Edinboro University completed their 2009 season with a 23-10 record, while University of Indianapolis dropped just one regular season match, compiling an overall record of 38-2. The Greyhounds return six starters from a team that went to the NCAA-II Elite Eight last season.
“We are excited to play some very high quality teams [in the Peggy Martin Classic], these games will prepare us for our conference season,” Young says. “We chose to go out there to face top national competition; it gives us a taste of what we are up against when we are eligible for national champions,” adds Young.
Following their two tournament road stint the Knights open up conference play with a home match against Notre Dame de Namur. Coach Young feels confident in his conference competition; however, there is one aspect that has him a little worried.
“Since we have started we have yet to win in Hawaii. That trip for us is by far the most difficult and has been the biggest challenge of each and every season,” states Young.
“Going to Dixie [State] is no picnic either, they will prove to be a tough match up for us as well, since they are expected to win conference and we have to play them on their home court twice,” Young concludes.
Leading this year’s team will be seniors
Dan Yang and
Jelena Jakovljevic. The two have been the keys to the Urban Knights’ success over the past two seasons. The senior duo comes off a successful junior campaign after leading the team and conference in several offensive categories.
Anchoring the outside hitter position is senior
Dan Yang. Yang led the team in kills and digs and has played the most sets of any Urban Knight to date. She finished her 2009 campaign with a First Team All-Conference nod, was voted Player of the Week twice and received nine Weekly Top Ten Honor Roll bids. More recently, Yang was voted to the 2010 Preseason All PacWest First Team.
“I think Phooey will continue to be a major force in the conference. Luckily, we have many more offensive options this season so she won’t have to carry the load on solely her shoulders as much,” Young commented.
Yang’s partner in crime, Jakovljevic, rounds out the senior class. Jakovljevic was a five time Top Ten Weekly Honor Roll recipient and returns as the Urban Knights’ second leading offensive threat. Last season, she was third on the team in digs, second in kills, and first on the team in service aces.
The junior class will be solid as well with the return of
Amy Bush,
Nicolette Hagan,
Camille Board, and the addition of University of San Francisco transfer Leinani Keanini.
Bush led the team in blocks last season, and will be a strong presence at the net for the Urban Knights this year. She registered 126 total blocks and finished tied for second in the PacWest Conference. “Amy will be a solid presence in the middle, she is one of the top middle blockers in the conference,” said Young.
Camille Board and Nicky Hagan have been working hard in the offseason to put in their best performances of their career as they look to leave the Urban Knights with a winning record, while Leinani will be looked at to make an immediate impact on the team.
“Lei adds a dimension to our team that we have never had, she is an outstanding defensive player and an excellence court leader,” Young says.
Three athletes make up the sophomore class,
Jill Singletary,
Melissa Cheng, and
Angela Heath. Cheng came in as a freshman and immediately made an impact on the youthful squad. Cheng finished last season with 1186 assists which led the PacWest Conference. Cheng is on her way to setting an all-time assists record after just one season as the starting setter.
“Melissa is the key to our season, we have her surrounded by great hitters and we need our setter to consistently put up a good ball for them,” Young states.
Singletary used last season to learn the coaching style of Young, along with the pace of Division II play. Heath, who sat out last season due to a knee injury, is eagerly welcomed back to the court.
“Having Angie back is going to provide us with a right side option that we were severely lacking last season. We were surprised and excited about what good of shape she came back in from her injury,” says Young.
Megan Williams, Caitlin Boring, Ashley “Kanoe” Irvine and Janie Atkinson will comprise the Urban Knights quartet of freshman talent. All come from winning programs and will bring depth and talent to the Urban Knights squad. “Caitlin is going to be a major force in this conference. She is a wall blocking and can hit at heights that few opponents can see,” remarks Young.
Boring coupled with Bush will provide solid defense at the net while Irvine's defensive prowess may garner the freshman some significant playing time.
For the past two seasons the Academy of Art women’s volleyball team has been a beacon of light within the department and a pleasant surprise to fans and coaches alike. With the past success the program continues to build on a talented base of athletes.
This season looks to be the most exciting one thus far with the addition of key recruits and the return of all but one of their starting line up, it is safe to say that the Urban Knights will be a major force for conference and non-conference opponents alike.
“Overall, I’m very excited about the season we have coming up. We are working with the best group we have had yet and our goal [like always] is to win the conference,” says Young.