(LEWISTON, ID) – Warrior Volleyball and Head Coach Katie Palmer enter the 2024 season with a balanced roster and sights set for a competitive season. The LC State roster includes seven seniors and five freshmen, along with standout All-Cascade Conference selection Juliauna Forgach Aguilar.
The first year under Palmer saw a lot of change with a revamped roster and an increased involvement with the community. Though the win-loss record may not reflect it, the Warriors made great strides towards a bright future.
“Year two brings a lot change but what will never change is the honor to be leading the Warriors,” Palmer said. “I am excited to see our fans, friends and family, back inside the P1FCU Activity Center this fall. It’s amazing how many of the student-athletes attribute the community support as the main reason they chose LC State, so I want to extend a special thank you to the LC Valley.”
THE ROSTER
The junior outside hitter put together one of the most impressive offensive seasons in program histories in her sophomore campaign. Forgach Aguilar closed out the year with a 3.83 kills per set mark which ranks second-best in a single season in the Warrior record book. She was second in the CCC in that category and totaled 4.16 points per set which ranks eight in LC history. The Morenci, Ariz., native earned First-Team All-Cascade Conference honors as well as AVCA All-Northwest Region Honorable Mention.
LC State returns a strong senior class including assist leader Abbey Neff. Neff, from Rathdrum, Idaho, led the Warriors with 3.84 assists per set and led all non-defensive specialists with 1.30 digs per set. Natany Felix Guimaraes is the top returning libero with 3.40 digs per set last season. Missy Mortensen was one of the top performers on the team last season with 64 total blocks, and Anna Merrill was third with 49. Leading the group in experience as Warriors are fifth-year senior Hallie Seaman and a four-year member of the squad in Katie Rainville. Taylin Rowley will make her LC State debut this season.
Sophomore dual-sport athletes Karissa Lindner and Gianna Anderson both were standouts during the 2023 volleyball season, and also impressive on the track and field team. Anderson spent her spring throwing the javelin, while Lindner put her name in the record book with her speed in sprint events. Both were integral parts of the 2023 volleyball team with Lindner as the team leader in blocks (79) and Anderson with the second-most kills per set (2.33). Makenzie Stout, a native of nearby Genessee, Idaho, returns to assist in the back row.
“With 12 dedicated student-athletes returning, our program is primed to take a big step forward in the process of rebuilding LC State volleyball to a championship program,” Palmer said. “We are a much more connected and competitive group after a rigorous spring training. I couldn’t be prouder of the work put in by these student-athletes.”
Palmer recruited a stacked freshmen class as well as a talented transfer from North Idaho College. Abby Beaton, an All-American at NIC, will add depth as a middle blocker, and five first years bring fresh experience to the roster.
Freshman Taylor Boyce brings an impressive resume after a highly decorated career at Windsor High School in California. The outside hitter was named a 2023 AVCA All-American Regional Team Member and AVCA Academic All-American among other impressive accomplishments. Setter Teagan Scott will also be looked upon to add depth at the setter position after earning All-State honors at Eagle High School.
“Volleyball is a really tough sport for newcomers because you are forced to hit the ground running the minute you get on campus for double days,” Palmer explained. “It’s truly drinking from a fire hose and our six newcomers have done a great job keeping their mindset fixed on learning. I am excited to see their growth throughout the fall.”
THE SCHEDULE
The Warriors open the season with three matches against strong NAIA competition in Nebraska. The first contest features No. 16 College of Saint Mary (Neb.) on Aug. 15 before LC State takes on No. 4 Concordia (Neb.) on Aug. 16. The Warrior women close out the trip against Hastings (Neb.).
LC State will open the home slate on Aug. 22-23 as part of the Hells Canyon Grand Invitational featuring matches against Pacific Union (Calif.), Walla Walla (Wash.) and Carroll (Mont.). The match with WWU will mark the start of Cascade Conference play. For more information on the schedule, click HERE.
THE DETAILS
Season passes are on sale now at lcwarriors.com/tickets under the PASSES section and streaming passes will be available the week of the first home matches. Passes are valid for all home regular-season matches.
Little Spiker Membership, presented by Edward Jones, Dean Roy, are also on sale on lcwarriors.com/tickets under the PASSES section. For more information on Little Spikers click HERE.