Bullpups aim for state

They are volleyball specialists, players who focus on one specific position rather than all facets of the game.

Some may play one spot in the front row, or go in to serve or for back row defensive purposes.

Once those separate gears meshed at Gonzaga Prep, this year became a special season.

Thanks to specialists such as libero Haley Topliff and right side Rachael Nicholas, the Bullpups had their second-highest Greater Spokane League finish in tying for third with a 10-3 record. Only the undefeated 1995 team finished higher.

Its match tonight at Mead against Kamiakin makes this the third time G-Prep qualified for regionals. The last was in 2000 when the Bullpups finished second in state.

“Really,” said coach Lisa Phillips, of the 2004 version, “this is a dynamics issue. We really had good team unity this year. All 13 players were on board.”

Middle blocker Kelly Mastor is the team’s most dominant player, said Phillips, and Liz Hardan is one of the best setters in league.

“She brought a lot of consistency and steadiness to the team,” the coach said of Hardan.

Then there are the specialty efforts of the talkative duo Nicholas—who was an unheard-of 15 for 15 hitting in the regional-qualifying win over Lewis and Clark – and Topliff – playing a position in its second year of GSL existence.

The libero came in with rally scoring last season. The position can play for anyone in the back row, other than server, and, although unable to attack or block, can stay on the court for most of the match.

“Libero is key to our team,” said Phillips. “I was not thrilled when it first came in, but when you can keep your most solid passer in 95 percent of the time, how can you not love it?”

A quality right side hitter/blocker up front is also vital, Phillips added. That person is usually across from one of the best hitters from the opposing team. As a result, most of the sets go there.

Unless the right side hitter is left-handed, hitting is a bit more difficult than from the left, or outside hitting position.

“I was actually a middle blocker forever,” said Nicholas, who moved to the right side after her sophomore year. “I wasn’t a big fan because I missed playing middle, but once I realized how vital a block is on that side I really fell in love with it.”

Even if the block is simply a touch that keeps the ball in play, it makes it easier for a back row player such as Topliff to get the Bullpups into their offense, meaning Nicholas has done her job.

Topliff also wasn’t a big fan early of the libero. She would have preferred playing all around. But, standing 5-foot-3, the die was cast. Libero is perfect for the height-challenged, but scrappy athlete.

“I love the new position, especially coming from my sophomore year when I only played halfway around,” Topliff said. “Now I’m in the whole time and it allows me to be more of a leader.”

Most of the G-Prep team got its start at Cataldo, a parochial school on Spokane’s South Side. Having played together so long portended G-Prep success, but while the team was competitive, it wasn’t instant.

Both Nicholas and Mastor made varsity as freshmen. Topliff joined them as sophomores, although a knee injury cost Mastor most of that season.

That was also the first season back for Phillips, who had coached Prep for three years between 1992-94.

Last year the Bullpups tied for sixth in league, but were beaten in a playoff and missed district. Things turned around this season.

“It’s been a whole different year for us,” said Phillips. “We have seven seniors and just have really good leadership.”

The result is a shot this weekend at its second state berth, even if reaching regionals was not a stated goal.

“One big thing that got us over the hump was that we really had no expectations coming into the season,” said Topliff. “We just came into each game trying to put our best on the court. It takes away pressure and is a lot more fun.”

So when the Bullpups knocked off LC to prolong their season, the excitement was palpable. Nicholas said the team is so jazzed it has been hard to focus on the upcoming tournament.

“I looked at Haley in practice yesterday and said ‘Oh, my gosh, we could go to state. This is crazy,’ ” Nicholas said. “We’re getting a lot done, but at the same time so much energy is flowing. Not a day goes by when the coaches don’t remind us how fortunate we are.”