A spike for the past and towards the future

Kat Milan and Alexe Navarro shine together on a young volleyball team

By Connor Laubenstein /// Staff Writer

The Lewis & Clark women’s volleyball team wrapped up its season this past weekend, with two tough losses to conference teams Whitman College and Whitworth College. Both of the matches were 3-0 sweeps against the Pioneers. With a three-game losing streak to close out, the Pio squad finished with an 11-14 overall record, with 5-11 in grueling conference play.

Saturday’s game marked senior night for volleyball, and emotions ran high as the team presented its three upcoming graduates: Vanessa Hall (’15), Kat Milan (’15) and Brigitte Russo (’15). Among the nostalgic energy that flowed through Pamplin Sports Center on Saturday night, the squad looked back on their season and realized that they did, indeed, have reason to celebrate.

On Monday the Northwest Conference’s head office submitted that Alexe Navarro (’17) would be awarded with All-Conference Second Team, and Kat Milan (’15) would receive honorable mention.

Further, in Friday night’s game against the Missionaries of Whitman, Milan would leave her mark in LC record books. Over her illustrious four-year career with the Pios, Milan tallied 1,041 kills. Her jump past 2011 graduate, Margaret Dowling (’11), solidifies Milan as LC’s all-time leader in kills. Dowling ended her career with 1,030 kills, tying a previous record set by Jana Shorb (’97) in 1997.

As Milan, Russo and Hall walk off the volleyball court a final time for LC, they pass the baton to a young, but hungry Pio team.

Blazing a trail for the Pios is Alexe Navarro. Just having wrapped up her second season, Navarro has two more energetic, dig-filled years left to leave her mark on LC sporting history. She plans to making as significant an impact as possible.

In just two years, Navarro has registered an incredible 972 digs on the defensive side of the net. The current all-time leader in digs is Lou Ohki, who set the record in 2010 with 1,218. With less than 250 to go, the libero is certainly on her way to obliterate Ohki’s record.

Exciting prospects guide the way for LC womens’ volleyball. As Navarro and the rest of the squad move into the off-season, they can celebrate the beginning of a new era.