Contact: Chris Woodley
Phone: (850) 474-2428
E-Mail: cwoodley@uwf.edu
December 5, 2005

2005 Season-in-Review

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The 2005 edition of West Florida volleyball started the season after a shortened 2004 season. After a year of training, including a summer trip to Europe, eight new players joined six returnees.

West Florida participated in three tournaments against South Region opponents to start the season. The Argonauts posted a 9-3 record combined, collecting a 3-1 record at each tournament. Among West Florida victories were two wins against teams that eventually qualified for the Gulf South Conference Tournament (Christian Brothers and Central Arkansas).

As the Gulf South Conference schedule commenced, West Florida picked up an important five-game victory over Alabama-Huntsville at home. That victory started a four-match winning streak, including two road wins. West Florida came home, but suffered a loss to West Alabama, who was winless in the conference up to that match.

But West Florida rebounded by winning 11 of their 12 final regular season matches. Less than 24 hours after a 3-0 loss at North Alabama on Oct. 14, the Argonauts bounced back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Alabama-Huntsville 3-2 in Huntsville. The following week on Senior Day, West Florida fell behind Lincoln Memorial 2-0. But West Florida once again followed the comeback trail for an exciting 3-2 triumph. The Argonauts played their final five regular season games on the road, and were triumphant in each match. Included in that stretch was a 3-2 win over Rollins, in a battle of two 20-win teams.

West Florida finished the regular season with a 24-6 record, and a second seed out of the GSC East Division in the upcoming conference tournament. The Argonauts were making their third trip to the GSC Tournament, but this was their best seed after two fourth seeds in 2002 and 2003. In Searcy, Ark., West Florida faced Central Arkansas, a team they had defeated 3-2 at the Argonaut Regional Cross-over in September. West Florida led 2-1, but Central Arkansas came back and eventually prevailed 3-2. Heading into the tournament, West Florida had been ranked sixth in the South Region since early October. The Argonauts still hoped to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament, but Alabama-Huntsville edged out West Florida, even though the Argonauts had defeated the Lady Chargers twice during the season.

Overall, head coach Melissa Wolter was pleased with her team's performance this season. "It was a successful season as we met a lot of goals and had a lot of firsts," said Wolter. West Florida's 24 wins tied the 2003 team for most wins in a season. Of their 24 wins, 13 were won in three games. The Argonauts also won four matches in five games after trailing 2-1. West Florida set season-highs in games played (117), kills (1,802), total attacks (4,648), digs (1,252), blocks (254), service aces (269), and assists (1,649). Six of the top ten matches for total attacks were achieved this season. The Argonauts also posted three matches of 14 blocks, and four matches of at least 13 service aces.

Individually, the three Argonaut seniors, Jessica Bragion, Kali Kalache, and Jenny Lass etched their name into the career and season record book. Bragion ended her career as the only Argonaut in team history to record over 1,000 kills, 1,000 digs and 200 blocks. Bragion is the all-time leader in games played (364), digs (1,029), and service aces (165). She is also in the top ten in career total attacks, attack percentage, kills, blocks, and assists. The Sao Paulo, Brazil native also set the season record this season with 66 service aces. Bragion was named to the All-GSC Second Team for the second time in her career. "Jessica found success in the middle, and had a great season to end her career," said Wolter.

Lass posted double-figure kill totals in 25 of 31 matches, including 27 kills in the comeback victory at Alabama-Huntsville. She also posted 15 double-doubles. While Lass only played one full season at West Florida, she ranks in the top ten career totals in kills (547), total attacks (1,507), digs (387), blocks (72), and service aces (61). Lass also set school-record season highs with 117 games played and 1,205 total attacks. One of her best overall games of the season was a 19 kill, 18 dig, and four block performance in the comeback win on Senior Day against Lincoln Memorial. For her efforts, Lass earned All-GSC Second Team honors. "Jenny led us in kills and was our primary passer," said Wolter. "She was a consistent performer throughout the entire season."

Kalache put together impressive numbers in her only full season at West Florida. She finished her career in the top ten in kills (386), total attacks (854), and blocks (132). Kalache also had one of the best season attack percentages at .282. On Oct. 20 against West Georgia, Kalache totaled a .652 attack percentage with 15 kills on 23 attacks and no errors. It was the fourth-highest attack percentage in team history. Kalache was one of the best players in the conference over the final three weeks of the regular season, earning GSC East Division Offensive Player of the Week honors on Oct. 24 and Nov. 8. Kalache topped off her season with a selection to the All-GSC First Team. "Kali fought through a shoulder injury during the season, and came through very big in a lot of matches," said Wolter.

Wolter is excited about how this year's success will help in the future. "Winning is very helpful in the recruiting process," said Wolter. "We have established ourselves and success on a regular basis is contagious to different areas of the program."