Kleven Beats The Odds
Kim Kleven checked in at 5-foot-6 when she walked onto the Washington State University volleyball team four years ago.
However, there was no way to measure her will to succeed.
When the Cougars play host to No. 16 UCLA (11-10, 10-4 Pac-10) Friday and No. 11 USC (17-4, 12-2) Sunday, Kleven and four other seniors will play their last matches on the Cougars’ home court. The others who will be recognized are Jennifer Stinson, sidelined since Oct. 22 with a dislocated left ankle, fifth-year senior Wendy Rouse, Penn State transfer Samantha Spink and junior college transfer Lucie Vratnickova. Friday’s match will be televised live on FSN beginning at 7:30.
For Kleven, a 1995 University High graduate and the smallest player on the Cougars’ roster, the experience has been remarkable for a player who fought the odds.
Kleven originally decided to play volleyball at Whitworth College, but a coaching change made her rethink her decision. She enrolled at WSU and was encouraged by her club coach to walk on to the volleyball team.
She first served the role of a third-string setter, but over the years, she perfected her skills as a defensive specialist.
By her sophomore year, Kleven had earned a full scholarship.
“My hard work and positive attitude is why Cindy (WSU coach Fredrick) gave it to me,” Kleven said.
Added Fredrick: “Initially that was true. But we knew when we first put her on scholarship, she would be playing more.”
This season, Kleven has started almost every game and rotates in and out of the lineup with 6-4 middle blocker Alicia Erickson. She’s averaging 1.82 digs per game and had a career-high 13 digs against Cal.
“She’s got good work ethics, she’s a good student and she’s making a good contribution to the program,” Fredrick said.
When Kleven graduates in May, she plans on student teaching at Chester Elementary School in the Valley. She got the teaching bug from her father, Dick, a math teacher at nearby Horizon Junior High School.
This weekend, in matches that could make or break the fifth-place Cougars’ (11-9, 8-6) NCAA Tournament chances, Kleven said she plans on concentrating on the matches rather than the emotional moment.
“We want go out hard and have fun,” she said.
NAU loss may cost EWU
Coach Pamela Parks and her Eastern Washington volleyball team knew the Northern Arizona loss was the one that could hurt them the most.
It happened at home in September, but it’s showing its effects in November.
The defeat could be the one that prevents the Eagles from playing host to the Big Sky Conference tournament, Nov. 27-28. If they win the tournament, they’ll be off to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1989.
But if everything holds to form the final two weeks of the regular season, the Eagles will have to win the tournament on Sacramento State’s court. Eastern hasn’t won there since 1996.
Eastern (20-3, 12-2) and Sacramento State (20-8, 13-1) split their conference meetings. The Eagles’ only other Big Sky loss was to Northern Arizona.
Eastern closes out the regular home season tonight against Weber State (12-14, 7-6) and Saturday against Portland State (8-17, 1-12). The matches probably will be the final home matches in the exceptional career of senior Kim Exner and senior Toni Schwinn.
Next week, EWU is at Montana (8-16, 3-10) and Montana State (17-5, 8-5). A four-match sweep would give them a 24-3 overall, 14-2 Big Sky Conference record. If the Eagles lose in the conference title game, they’d be 25-4, one of the best records in the country.
But there’s still a good chance they would be bypassed by the NCAA Tournament committee. The Big Sky Conference is traditionally represented by just the conference tournament champ.
Sac State’s final conference matches are both at home against Cal State Northridge (11-8, 7-5) and NAU (8-6, 15-9).
“I feel like we’re ready to excel in that gym. If we could get into the championship game, we’re due,” said Parks.
Vandals finish disappointing year
The University of Idaho (13-14, 6-8 Big West Conference) still could finish with a winning record if it beats North Texas (3-21, 0-14) tonight and New Mexico State (7-20, 4-10) Saturday, both on the road. Senior middle blocker Jessica Moore has been a bright spot in the disappointing season, averaging 3.90 kills per game on .312 hitting.
The matchup for the Big West Conference title already have been decided. The nation’s No. 1 team, Long Beach State (24-0, 14-0) of the Western Division, will play host to Nevada (21-4, 11-3) of the Eastern Division on Nov. 20. The winner will earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Long Beach junior middle blocker Brandy Barratt, formerly of Gonzaga Prep, is hitting .418. She’s second best in the conference.