2017 NCAA Top 10 Countdown: No. 3 Washington

The Pac-12 champ returns all starters and is looking for redemption after a demoralizing tournament loss in 2016.

Last Season

29-5 overall, 16-4 Pac-12
NCAA Regional Finals (3-0 loss to Nebraska)

The Players

Returning Stars

Kara Bajema | 6-foot-2 | Sophomore | Middle Blocker
Crissy Jones | 6-2 | Senior | Outside Hitter
Destiny Julye | 5-11 | Junior | Outside Hitter
Shayne McPherson | 5-6 | Sophomore | Libero
Tia Scambray | 6-0 | Senior | Outside Hitter
Courtney Schwan | 6-1 | Senior | Outside Hitter
Bailey Tanner | 6-1 | Senior | Setter

Biggest Losses

None

The Newcomers

Maria Bogomolova | 6-1 | Redshirt Freshman | Outside Hitter
Emma Calle | 6-0 | Freshman | Defensive Specialist
Marion Hazelwood | 6-3 | Senior | Middle Blocker (transfer from Oklahoma)
Natalie Robinson | 5-11 | Freshman | Setter
Lauren Sanders | 6-4 | Freshman | Middle Blocker

Preseason Matches to Watch

Husky Invitational | Seattle, Washington
Aug. 25 vs. Pittsburgh
Aug. 26 vs. Creighton

Maryland Challenge | College Park, Maryland
Sept. 15 vs. Maryland

Outlook

Washington returns every starter from the 2016 team that won the Pac-12 and made it to the NCAA Regional Finals. It’s head coach Keegan Cook’s third season, and he’s brought in a good crop of newcomers, including elite class of 2017 recruit 6-4 middle Lauren Sanders and senior transfer Marion Hazelwood, a middle blocker from the University of Oklahoma. These two incoming middles could allow sophomore Kara Bajema to move back to the outside, although that position is crowded and competitive, with returners Tia Scambray, Crissy Jones, Courtney Schwan, and Destiny Julye all vying for a starting spot.

Prediction

Every year since 2014, Nebraska has knocked Washington out of the tournament. But this year, Nebraska is suffering big-time losses while Washington returns its entire starting lineup and reloads with talented newcomers. This could be Washington’s time to make it back to the final four, Huskers or no Huskers.

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