Volleyball Season Preview: The Outside Hitters

BOISE, Idaho – The final article of Boise State volleyball's four-part season preview looks at the five outside hitters.

This group includes solid experience with four returning letterwinners and one true freshman. The veterans combined for 121 matches played and 71 starts last fall. As a group, the returners combined for 889 kills for 65.4 percent of the team total, 2,573 attack attempts (68.4 percent), 84 service aces (46.2 percent), 539 digs (34.8 percent), 180 blocks (76.4 percent) and 1,074 points (60.5 percent).

Paige Bartsch, a senior and the reigning Mountain West Co-Player of the Year and 2024 MW Preseason Player of the Year, leads the group of five outside hitters. The 2023 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention honoree started all 29 contests last year and finished the season leading the MW in eight statistical categories: kills (530), kills per set (5.05), attacks (1,349), attacks per set (12.85), service aces (52), service aces per set (0.50), points (614.5) and points per set (5.85). In addition, the Helena, Mont., native was ranked in the top 14 nationally in all eight categories: second for points per set, fifth for kills per set and attacks per set, eighth for points, 10th for kills, and 14th for attacks, service aces per set and total service aces.

"Paige Bartsch will be the leader of this team," said head coach Shawn Garus. "She has looked great in preseason practices. She is healthy and doing well with all phases of the game. I expect to see her have a great senior season."

Kiersten Van Kirk, a junior, also started all 29 matches in 2023. The native of Bozeman, Mont., recorded 89 kills, six service aces, 41 digs, 47 blocks and 124.5 points as a sophomore. Van Kirk has played in 46 matches with 32 career starts as a Bronco.

"Kiersten has had a really good last six months in the gym," Garus said. "She had a great spring, and it has carried over into preseason training. She is playing high and really dynamic in practices; I see her role growing on offense this fall."

Anabel Kotzakov had an impressive freshman season last fall. The native of Costa Mesa, Calif., started in 26 of the 29 contests she played. Kotzakov was a six-rotation player for most of the season, tallying 199 kills and 26 service aces – both ranked third on the team – to go with 208 digs, 44 blocks, and a team second-best 253 points.

"Anabel got a lot of good experience last year playing as a true freshman," said Garus. "She has gotten stronger and healthier and the progress in her growth has been fun to see. I look for her to continue to be a solid contributor for us on the outside."

The fourth veteran back is Bridey O'Connor from Ladera Ranch, Calif. As a freshman in 2023, she saw action in 22 matches and recorded two starts. O'Connor registered 49 kills, 27 digs, nine blocks and 54.5 points in her debut campaign.

"Bridey has made steady improvement as both an outside and a right side during the off-season," commented Garus. "She has worked really hard to be a more consistent player as a left-side and right-side attacker. She brings good energy every day, and I am excited to see what she can do this fall."

The lone freshman at outside hitter is Katelyn Van Kirk. She is Kiersten's younger sister, who enrolled early at Boise State and arrived in January 2024. Van Kirk was a four-year starter at Manhattan Christian High School, where she was a four-time Montana Class C All-State and all-conference first-team honoree.

"Katelyn is a really strong, athletic player," said Garus. "She graduated high school early, so we did have her in the gym with us last spring, which I think helped her develop and have a better chance of contributing on the court this fall. Katelyn is a physical player with a lot of upside and potential; I can't wait to see what she can do on the court."

The Broncos open the season August 30-September 1, at Arizona's Cactus Classic in Tucson, where they will face Arizona, Tennessee State and VCU.

The Broncos' home opening weekend is September 13-15, when they host CSU Bakersfield, Gonzaga, and Idaho State in the Boise State Classic.

Season and Single Match Tickets Now on Sale
Season and single-match tickets are available and can be purchased in person at the Albertsons Stadium ticket office, over the phone by calling 208-426-4737, or online at Buy Tickets.

Players Mentioned

Paige Bartsch

Anabel Kotzakov

Bridey O'Connor

Katelyn Van Kirk

Kiersten Van Kirk

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