Having its best season in recent years, women’s volleyball is 16-3 during the season and two senior captains have made it their goal to make it their best season yet.
The Broncos have had their second-best start in school history, going 11-1 to start the season and are nationally ranked in NCAA division II for the first time since 2009.
“This season is different from a lot of other seasons,” said senior middle blocker Kristen Hamlin. “We had a strong start and the preparation from last year has carried over to this year and it has made it a great experience.”
Hamlin isn’t a really big vocal leader, but lets her play do the talking for her. Hamlin is fourth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association conference in hitting percentage with a .359 percentage.
Not only is she in the top 10 in hitting percentage, but Hamlin also ranks sixth in kills as she averages 3.4 kills per set.
“I don’t really speak up as much, but everyone respects each other and knows how hard we all play,” she said. “Everyone is on the same page and it makes it easy to be a leader when we all have the same goals.”
Hamlin was given an All-CCAA Freshman of the Year honor in her first season, but injuries plagued her junior season.
Hamlin has made it her goal to make it back to her top performance.
“I’ve had injuries the past two seasons that have held me back,” she said. “I worked on my strength in the offseason and it has paid off. I’ve been healthy and now I can show what I really got.”
Hamlin isn’t the only Bronco player that is having a great year.
Senior outside hitter Andrea Bosnic is having her best season this year. Bosnic is ahead of her teammate in kills, placing fifth with 3.45 kills per set.
Bosnic recently set her season high in kills this past Saturday with 20 kills against UCSD.
Bosnic is coming off a season where she started all 25 matches last season. She led the team in kills and average kills per set. Bosnic received ALL-CCAA honorable mention honors for her season last year.
“My teammates are playing really well, which gives me an opportunity to play at my best,” Bosnic said. “There is less pressure when everybody is playing well. I strive to be the best.”
Hamlin and Bosnic each have over 10 double-digit kill matches this season.
Hamlin currently has 11 with her highest being 21 this season.
Bosnic is just one match behind her with 10 with her highest being 20.
Both Broncos players are in the top 10 in points in the conference, as Hamlin ranks fourth with 263.5 points so far this season, averaging 4.18 per set. Bosnic ranks sixth with 246.5 points and averaging 3.98 points per set.
“They’re mature and not only lead by example but are also vocal leaders,” Coach Rosie Wegrich said. “Andrea has been the most focused she’s been than the three previous years. She is being more productive and with her shots, she is being more creative.
“Kristen is extremely athletic and is very mobile and very strong,” Wegrich continued. “She is one of the most crafty middles in the conference.”
The Broncos are third in the CCAA in hitting percentage and are first in opponents’ hitting percentage. With an average of 14.29 kills per set, the Broncos rank second in their conference.
Due to their high number of kills, the Broncos average 3.94 more kills than their opponents in each set.
CPP is currently third in a tough south division where top-ranked Cal State San Bernardino is currently in first.
The top three teams in each division make it to the conference tournament.
Currently ranked 24th in the nation, the Broncos have not made an NCAA division tournament appearance since 2008.
With only six games left in the season, the Broncos look to push themselves into consideration, and co-captains Hamlin and Bosnic are leading the way.
