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Raiders gear up for season ASHLAND - Southern Oregon volleyball coach Paul Elliott and his players have one lofty goal for 2001: qualify for the national tournament. Following numerous national rankings and several close calls in recent years, including last year's 20-9 effort that ended two wins shy of nationals, Elliott brims with optimism. The 11th-year head coach believes eight returning letterwinners and a talented recruiting class could put the Raiders over the hump. The biggest reason for optimism is the return of two of the school's most prominent offensive players in senior honorable-mention All-American Shelley Gorin and sophomore middle Kristina Matchett. Despite her relative diminutive stature for an outside hitter, the 5-foot-6 Gorin amassed 430 kills last year, third-most in school history. Meanwhile, the 5-foot-10 Matchett established freshman school records and was named the Cascade Conference's freshman of the year after accumulating 398 kills and 104 blocks. Also back is senior all-star defender Sabrina Garboden, who will vie for the starting setter chores. Key among the eight-player recruiting class is junior transfer defender Abbie Stewart, sophomore setter Dani Arlyn and freshman hitter Kelly Thoni. Southern Oregon, which has qualified for post-season play 13 straight years, including four consecutive 20-win campaigns, kicks off the season Friday and Saturday at the Fresno Pacific Invitational. Following the six-match season-opening road trip, the team starts conference play at home in McNeal Pavilion Aug. 31 against Warner Pacific. Concordia, SOU and Albertson have been tapped by the NAIA regional committee as favorites. Concordia defeated the Raiders for the conference tournament championship the past two seasons. Albertson qualified for nationals last year. The 20-team national tournament is in late November in West Palm Beach, Florida. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.