Coyote volleyball Seniors

The Coyotes honored and thanked their four senior volleyball players on Nov. 4 before the team played their final home game at Coussoulis Arena.

The first Coyote senior is Morgan Lyneis. She played in nine sets and recorded five digs for the Coyotes this season.

She transferred to CSUSB for her senior season, having played her first three years at Western New Mexico University (WNM).

During her time at WNM, Lyneis played in 75 matches and recorded 383 kills. She was also named a Lone Star Conference all-academic.

Before Lyneis attended WNM, she played for Apple Valley High School where she helped the team win back-to-back championships.

The next senior in line is Kelsey Osgood. She played in 11 sets this season.

“Sweeping Dominguez in our last game was a great feeling because playing at home with such support really lightens the mood,” said Osgood.

Osgood recorded 108 digs for the CCAA Champion Coyotes in 2016. She had a season-high of 14 in the home opener against Humboldt State.

Before playing with the Coyotes, she played a season at Golden West College. In 2014, Osgood played at Dayton.

Osgood played in high school as well while attending Los Alamitos. She helped the team to a runner-up CIF Division 1 spot in her last year.

Senior number three is Amanda Reifer who played in 21 sets in 2017, earning seven kills and 25 digs.

Reifer appeared in 18 sets for the CCAA title-winning squad in 2016. Not only did she show talent on the court, but she also was impeccable in the classroom, becoming a 2016-17 CCAA All-Academic.

She played in five matches in 2015 and was named a CCAA All-Academic.

Reifer redshirted in 2014 after graduating from Jurupa Valley high school.

At Jurupa Valley, Reifer played soccer, softball, and volleyball, earning letters in all three. Each year, she helped the volleyball team reach the CIF playoffs.

The fourth and final Coyote senior is Lauren Nicholson. She was named CCAA player of the week three times this season.

Nicholson led the Coyotes with 402 kills this season while also recording career kill number 1,000.

“Each and every season is different but I can say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my last season here at CSUSB,” said Nicholson.

In 2016 she recorded 481 kills and scored 524 points, earning her multiple spots in the record books.

She was named the CCAA Tournament’s most outstanding player as the Coyotes won the CCAA Championship.

Nicholson transferred to CSUSB in 2015 and appeared in 117 sets. She was named a CCAA ALL-Academic choice and NCAA West Regional All-Tournament.

Nicholson played her first collegiate year at Portland State, playing in 72 sets.

She played for Upland High School where she lettered every year.

Although her time at CSUSB is done, that does not mean that she will stray away from the sport.

“Coaching is something that has crossed my mind,” said Nicholson. “I am actually assisting a club team this year for RVVC so I already know a little bit of the scene.”

Many athletes go on to be a coach after their four years of competing have ended. It is a nice way to give back to the sport and show the knowledge one has learned.

The regular season may be over, but the seniors are off to the playoffs. The games will be played at San Francisco State starting on Nov. 16.