KUTZTOWN, PA (September 3, 2010) – Kutztown University volleyball coach John Gump was finally happy to unleash Cait Hess (Newark, DE/St. Mark's), a 6 foot transfer from Wilmington University. For Gump and the Golden Bear fans, it was worth the wait as Hess enjoyed a smashing debut.
Playing like a tiger that hasn't eaten in three weeks, Hess delivered a team-high 13 kills and four blocks to help Kutztown begin the 2010 season with a tougher-than-score-indicated, 3-0, triumph over Le Moyne College in the Kutztown Classic at Keystone Arena Friday afternoon. (BOXSCORE)
Hess towered over the Dolphins like Wilt Chamberlain as she swatted shots to Earth with the force of Mike Tyson's right hook in the movie “Hangover.”
Hess spent last season practicing with the Golden Bears, but she wasn't able to participate in games. She quickly made up for lost time by registering four kills in the first game as Kutztown claimed a 25-21 victory. Hess added four more kills as the Golden Bears won the second game, 25-21. She had five, including the decisive final point, in the third game as Kutztown won 25-22. Hess slammed a pass from Dana Wright (Warminster, PA/Saint Basil Academy) for a kill to end the match.
“It feels good to be back because I waited so long,” Hess said. “It was hard last year having to sit out all of the games. I felt pressure to do something because I didn't want to be looked at as old or rusty.”
If Hess was shaking off the rust, then the rest of Kutztown's opponents are in trouble. With the way Hess played Friday, she resembled Kobe Bryant when he scored 81-points a few years ago. Once Hess got comfortable, she was tough to stop.
Hess wasn't the only showstopper for the Golden Bears, who received several solid efforts in their opener. The setting combination of Wright and Kimberlee Gomber (Washington, PA/Washington) tallied 34 assists. Wright led the way with 23 helpers and nine digs. Most of them went to Hess, who finished with a flourish.
Senior Jamie Celia (Douglassville, PA/Daniel Boone) hustled and bustled her way to 16 digs. Lindsay Confer (Wingate, PA/Bald Eagle) had seven kills and Kelsey Nester (Catasauqua, PA/Catasauqua) added five kills. Overall, the Golden Bears had at least four players finish with at least one kill.
“Cait was outstanding today,” Kutztown University volleyball coach John Gump said. “It's nice to finally get an opportunity to put her on the court and turn her loose on an opponent.”
Hess has seamlessly blended with team members since arriving to campus last year. With a pleasant personality, Hess is having a blast. While fans enjoyed watching Hess put on a clinic, she had fun sharing the spotlight with Gomber and Wright, who served up perfect passes throughout the match. Both players made good decisions throughout the game and put their heavy hitters in great positions.
“Sometimes, I always have to tell them to put it a little higher because I am tall,” Hess said. “For the most part, they always put the ball right where I need it. Sometimes I don't say anything on the court and they still set me up. It was easy to mesh with the team because they're kind of crazy and silly like me.”
The Kutztown Classic continues Saturday when the Golden Bears battle the College of Saint Rose at 2 p.m. and C.W. Post at 6 p.m.
