Volleyball Takes the Court for 2008

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Aug. 27, 2008) – A new year brings numerous other new things to the women’s volleyball program at Occidental College. With a new full-time head coach in Mike Talamantes and many new faces on the court, the Tigers will grace the newly renovated Rush Gymnasium with enthusiasm and high expectations to improve on a disappointing 2007 season.

The Tigers return seven players and welcome eight fresh faces to the court in 2008.

With a year of collegiate volleyball under her belt look for Kathryn Bockmon to be a threat again as the Tigers’ top returner. During her freshman campaign she appeared in 60 games, finishing second on the team offensively with 120 total kills (2.00/gm) and 15 service aces (only seven service errors) and defensively with 168 digs (2.80/gm) and 10 block assists.

Ashley Rosenbaum and Lahela Cleveland each played in 60 games as well and recorded 73 and 63 kills during the 2007 season, respectively. They were also both defensive threats as Rosenbaum led the Tigers with 18 solo blocks (eight assists) while Cleveland finished with 13 solo blocks adding 10 assists.

Also returning for Oxy is Jaime Nikami who notched 289 assists (5.78/gm) and Ginger Grimes who added 96 assists and 106 digs. These two Tigers tied for the team lead with 16 service aces.

Despite losing a trio of seniors, the Tigers add four outside hitters, two middle blockers and two defensive specialists to the squad for the 2008 campaign.

Occidental will open the season on the road with a non-conference match-up against La Sierra on Monday, Sept. 15 at 7:00 p.m. in Riverside.

The Tigers will host the first event in the newly renovated Rush Gymnasium against the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m.