Tall orders. Under the direction of new head coach Chris Johnson, the Seattle Pacific University volleyball team will turn to its experience in a quest to return to NCAA Division II postseason play. The Falcons return a veteran cast that won eight of its final 11 matches last year to finish 15-11. SPU will need that leadership early on as it faces a pair of nationally-ranked opponents when it travels to Big Rapids, Mi., to open the season at the Ferris State Invitational this weekend. First up on Friday (Aug. 26) are West Virginia State and No. 14 Grand Valley State (Mi.). On Saturday (Aug. 27), the Falcons meet Wheeling Jesuit (WV) and 17th-ranked Ferris State. Seattle Pacific returns home to host the Emerald City Classic Sept. 2-3, where it will be pitted against No. 1 rated Nebraska-Kearney along with three Pacific Region foes.

Ranked opponents fill schedule. Following the two tournaments, SPU has one more final tune-up before Great Northwest Athletic Conference play begins Sept. 10 at home against Northwest Nazarene. The Falcons host No. 20 Chaminade Sept. 8 in another key regional match. Of its nine pre-conference matches, SPU faces four nationally-ranked opponents. In contrast to last season when only two matches were played prior to October, Seattle Pacific will play eight of its first 14 matches in Brougham Pavilion, including a six-match homestand next month.

Preseason picks. Defending GNAC champion Central Washington is No. 12 in the AVCA preseason coaches poll, and the Wildcats are also a unanimous choice to repeat the feat of winning the conference. Central was unbeaten during the ‘04 regular season. Western Washington was picked to finish second in the GNAC, followed by Seattle University and Seattle Pacific. The Falcons are seeking their first conference crown and third trip to the national tournament after going twice under Ryan in ‘00 and ‘01. Eight teams from the West will earn NCAA berths in November.

Calling the shots. Johnson is one of five new coaches in the GNAC this season, having been named to succeed Kellie Ryan June 27. Johnson served as Ryan’s assistant last season and previously was at Westmont. The Bellevue native becomes only the third coach in the program’s 20-year existence. His assistant is Kaitlin Leck, a key member of Washington’s best-ever team last year.

Seasoned veterans. The Falcons return a GNAC-best nine letterwinners from last season, including four starters, also the most in the league. Leading the way is first team all-conference middle Katie Ralph (Sr., 6-0, Port Orchard, Wa./South Kitsap), who led the GNAC in blocks per game (1.15) and finished ninth in hitting percentage (.258). Setter Jenna Von Moos (Jr., 5-10, Stanwood, Wa.), a second team all-conference selection, was fourth in both league assists (10.78) and attack percentage (.299). SPU’s two other returning starters are middle Whitney Dibble (Jr., 6-1, Reno, Nev./Galena) and outside Chelsey Myers (Sr., 5-10, Minden, Nev./Douglas). Dibble finished eighth overall in the GNAC in blocks per game (0.97). Myers led the Falcons in kills (2.97) and was runnerup in digs (3.59). Libero Tiffany Butac (Jr., 5-2, Pearl City, Hi./Hawaii Baptist) set a school record, averaging 4.68 digs per game. Alyssa Given (So., 5-10, Salinas, Ca./Notre Dame) was also a fixture in the attack, starting 11 times on the outside and leading the team with 26 service aces and averaging 4.07 kills per game in her final four matches.

X-factors. Although he has a veteran cast at hand, Johnson has indicated that last year’s reserves and this year’s newcomers could contend for major roles. Angie Wodrich (So., 5-10, Richland, Wa.) is a candidate for the right side starting position, and Rachel Biornstad (So., 6-0, Kent, Wa./Kentlake) is pushing to be one of the top two middles. Of the freshmen, Torii Mount (5-2, Gresham, Or./Gresham) has made a strong bid for the libero position, which would move Butac into a defensive specialist role. Sarah Mohr (Fr., 5-6, Vancouver, Wa./Central Catholic) will be understudy to Von Moos at setter. Completing the squad are outside Shelby Gihring (Jr., 5-10, Kent, Wa./Kentlake) and middle Natalie Soules (6-2, Shoreline, Wa./Shorewood).

Quick sets. Johnson said his team is determined to improve its attacking “smarts” after hitting only .182 (sixth in the GNAC) last season. SPU was the GNAC blocking leader at 2.41 per game...In all, five Pacific Region members are ranked in the top 25. Cal State San Bernardino is No. 5, Hawaii Pacific No. 8 and UC San Diego No. 13...Ryan, who was 83-51 in her five seasons, has joined the Idaho staff this season.

SPU coaches. A new era begins as Chris Johnson—just the third coach in the program’s existence—aims to send the Falcons back to the NCAA for the first time in four seasons. Johnson was the team’s top assistant in 2004, and earlier served as an assistant at NAIA powerhouse Westmont from 2001-03. The Warriors reached the national tournament in ‘01 and ‘02. Last season at SPU, Johnson was in charge of defense and passing strategies and technique, as well as recruiting. He also guided the Falcons through the balance of the spring season following the resignation Kellie Ryan. A native of Bellevue and graduate of Interlake High School, Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree in art from Westmont in 2002. He played a total of five years at the collegiate club level, including three at Westmont. Kaitlin Leck, a four-year starter who averaged more than 2.5 kills at Washington will serve as Johnson’s assistant. Leck was a two-time Pac-10 all-academic selection, and was a member of the NCAA semifinal team in ‘04.

Tickets, please. General admission tickets for all SPU home volleyball matches are priced $5 with students, youth and senior citizens $3 with proper identification. Teams or groups can qualify for discount rates by call (206) 281-2085 in advance.

Missing links. For the latest and best information on Seattle Pacific University athletics, stay where you're at -- on The Falcons Online. For updated standings and statistics, see the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Website.