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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Stinson Keeps Cougars Roaring All Doubts Blocked Out When WSU Star Takes Charge On The Volleyball Court

The sequence plays out like this:

A Washington State volleyball opponent attempts to slam down a spike, only to have it stuffed back in her face by the Cougars’ Jennifer Stinson. The block falls Washington State’s way. Point, or sideout, Cougs.

Next comes the exclamation point - the signature Stinson stomp.

The junior middle blocker high-steps her way toward her teammates. They huddle, long arms raised in victory, fists tightly linked for what must seem like forever to the other team.

“I don’t plan on doing any of that stuff,” Stinson said about her animated in-your-face reactions. “I think I started doing it in high school.”

High school was Davenport, where Stinson was best known as a basketball star. She holds the state record for most career points (2,881) and most career points in the State B tournament (421).

But recently, volleyball has become more and more synonymous with the name Stinson. Two weeks ago, she was named to the 12-player All-Pacific-10 Conference first team, the only Cougar to be selected to the first team.

Just this week, Florida coach Mary Wise, whose No. 5 Gators (32-3) meet No. 11 Washington State (26-6) Saturday at the NCAA Tournament Central Regional in Madison, Wis., commented that Stinson is having “an All-American type year.”

The endorsements haven’t gone unnoticed.

“Jen has gained a lot of confidence just by being named first-team Pac-10,” said Washington State coach Cindy Fredrick. “It validated things for her. Before, she was not a true volleyball player, but instead a used-to-be basketball player.”

Stinson, as economical with her words as she is in her self-praises, agreed.

“I never doubted myself, but I didn’t know where other people saw me in the Pac-10,” she said.

The lanky 6-foot-1 athlete appears to be peaking at the right time as the NCAA’s final 16 teams resume their fight for the Final Four spots tonight. However, she gives her entire team credit for “stepping it up.”

In last Sunday’s match against Colorado State, five Cougars had at least 10 kills, each hitting .250 or better. Stinson, however, stood out on the front row, recording one solo block and five block assists.

“She’s an amazing blocker,” said Cougars setter Stephanie Papke, an All-Pac-10 honorable mention. “When she’s in the front row, she just dominates.”

Entering the postseason, Stinson was 10th in the nation in blocking, averaging 1.59 blocks per game. She’s maintained her average against first-round opponent Lehigh and second-round opponent Colorado State.

Stinson leads her team in kills, averaging 3.45 kills per game on .291 hitting.

“As a setter, she’s really been one of the best options for me in every match. She demands the ball and I love that in a hitter,” said Papke, one of four Cougars seniors.

Stinson’s game works best from the front row. In some situations, she is lifted from the rotation and replaced by Jennifer Canevari in the back row. Canevari, once a starter, is second in team digs with 266. Stinson has 192.

“I need to improve defensively … passing and digging.” Stinson said. “I even want to be more dominant in the front row.”

Stinson’s next challenge probably will be one of her toughest yet when she faces Florida’s top middle blocker Nina Foster. The 6-2 senior from Mission Viejo, Calif., ended the final stretch of the regular season averaging 4.15 kills per game. Her .431 hitting ranks second in the nation.

Florida’s other middle blocker is Heather Wright, a 6-1 freshman who doesn’t bring nearly the experience or reputation.

“I prefer to have Stinson on their best middle blocker,” Fredrick said. “I want her blocking and (senior middle blocker) Keren Oigman digging.”

Spikes and digs

Fox Sports Northwest will broadcast the WSU-Florida game live… Last year’s regional final between Stanford and WSU was broadcast on radio in Spokane. No such plan has been made for regional coverage this year. However, KXLY (920 AM) said it’s looking into the rights of broadcasting the Final Four, Dec. 18 and 20 in Spokane. … Times for the Central Regional matches have been changed. WSU vs. Florida will begin at 2 p.m. PST, followed by unranked Notre Dame (25-8) vs. No. 4 Wisconsin (29-2)… . The Final Four Dec. 18 semifinals will be played at 6 and approximately 8:30 p.m. The Dec. 20 championship match will begin at noon.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: NCAA TOURNAMENT Central Regional at Madison, Wis. Saturday: Semifinals, WSU vs. Florida, 2 p.m. PST, followed by Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin. Saturday on TV: Live on FSN. Sunday: Final, 11 a.m. PST.

This sidebar appeared with the story: NCAA TOURNAMENT Central Regional at Madison, Wis. Saturday: Semifinals, WSU vs. Florida, 2 p.m. PST, followed by Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin. Saturday on TV: Live on FSN. Sunday: Final, 11 a.m. PST.