Also filling the gaps are three new recruits from Southern California. These three newcomers - 6' 0" Skye Lewis, 6' 0" Stacy Laitsch, and 5' 10" Shannon Buller, sister of USF pitcher Sean Buller, along with 5'8" Nikole Harford, who will try out for the team in the Fall. They will fill out the front row, adding height, leaping ability and power. All of the new players also bring with them winning traditions. Across the board, there has been involvement in some top club teams. "All three are good strong players," Wallenstein noted. "Good, positive people. I think they're going to add a lot of pluses to the team."
The team's new members are expected to provide more depth for the team. Shannon Buller and Skye Lewis are expected to bring additional, and much needed, offense, while Nikole Harford will bolster the team's defense. Lewis will team up with fellow right-side hitter Amber Felix. Felix, entering her senior year, missed all of last spring due to injury but is expected to see quality time this year. Freshman Stacy Laitsch's status is unknown as she continues to be bothered by injury.
The question is whether the team can raise itself to the level required to compete at the next level. Coach Wallenstein allowed a comparison to the WCC champion women's basketball team. "It's highly inspirational," she said. "It can happen. Period. You don't have to have the recruiting class of the year, or have everybody returning." "There were a number of factors where I don't think women's basketball expected it at the beginning. They didn't have the best season the season before. Or some of the problems we worked through, they had worked through too. The people that came back though, the chemistry, the timing, it all clicked and I think that is a big statement to my team to know that that is completely a possibility for them also (TheFoghorn)."
