Those same dimensions come into play when Klineman, a two-time All-American women's volleyball player at Stanford University, is trying to block an attack from an opposing hitter, or going for the dig in the back row.
With two other graduated All-Americans gone from last year's NCAA national tournament runner-up, this becomes Klineman's team and she aspires to another championship round.
She led an array of starring players in kills last year with 415, or 3.61 per set. Her former All-American teammates, outside hitter Cynthia Barboza and middle blocker Foluke Akinradewo, are now playing with the United States senior national team.
Another Year, Another Volleyball Challenge
Stanford won 31 of its 35 matches a year ago, claiming its third consecutive Pacific-10 Conference title along the way. It doesn't seem to matter who is on the court and who has graduated. The Cardinal is always a national title contender.
But without Barboza and Akinradewo, a former National College Player of the Year, some observers are questioning Stanford's endurance. There are, after all, a mere three seniors on the team and only one (Janet Okogbaa) was a full-time starter.
Let them question, says Klineman.
"There are a lot more questions marks at the beginning of this season," Klineman said. "But everyone is confident we can achieve what we want. Everybody will have a chance to step into a big role."
A lot of what happens with the Cardinal this season, which plays in arguably the best conference top to bottom in the nation, will depend on Klineman's effectiveness.
Leaning on the Seniors
Klineman thinks the seniors, which also include the injury-plagued Alex Fisher and setter Joanna Evans, will be valuable. She also points to her junior teammates Cassidy Lichtman and Gabi Ailes, both of whom are two-year starters.
"We may have been on the court more often than the seniors, and that will help with leadership," Klineman said, "But they've been to one more Final Four than we have. We need their experience because they know what it is all about."
More than anyone on the current roster, Klineman has faced the pressures of playing at the highest level. She's been working with the United States national program since competing with the Under-18 national team in 2005. She's also a three-time high school All-American, and the national Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Mira Costa High.
"We decided to set the number one goal as; 'Be a Champion,'" Klineman said. "That's something we can think about every day. It's not one day, or one match. We wanted something that embodies who we are."
Stanford's Volleyball History
Stanford appeared in five of the past seven championship contests, winning it all in 2004. The Cardinal has won more national titles (six), appeared in more national title matches (14), reached the Final Four more often (18) and has won more NCAA tournament matches (92) than any other program in the nation.
Klineman became the 25th Stanford player named an All-American.
Cardinal Volleyball Roster
Fisher's career at Stanford has been limited to 70 sets and 67 kills in 181 total attacks because of a knee injury, a wrist problem and a shoulder problem over the past three years.
Evans started in the back row for the Cardinal and shared setting duties with Lichtman. She's also been with the national team.
"All three seniors bring lots of experience," Stanford coach John Dunning said. "They've played a big role in being in the last three Final Fours. They've been in the final game. They are very mature and all three of them are really motivated for their last season with the team."
Hayley Spelman, a 6-6 outside hitter, and Karissa Cook, a 5-11 setter, highlights a strong freshmen class.
In other words, another appearance in the NCAA Final Four remains a realistic goal.
Rick Eymer - I have written for The San Mateo Times, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and am currently working part-time as an assistant sports editor at ...
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