Women's Volleyball Season Preview
The 2015 volleyball season finds the Eagles returning seven upperclassmen. Seniors JoJo Hodak and Kim Post will provide significant offense and defensive contributions. Post is a returning NCCAA Division II 2nd team All-American while Hodak received MCCC conference and North Central Regional honors. Hodak has been named acting captain by the coaching staff.
"We are going to have a very competitive team internally for positions and during our 2015 matches. Jo and Kim will be expected to provide leadership and production throughout the year. Jo will be moving to the Libero position after playing three years all around. With the addition of our incoming freshmen, Kim will be moving from MH to OH which is something we have desired to do over the course of her playing career. With the returning group and the incoming freshmen recruits we should be able to develop a competitive team," noted coach Lanny Nihart.
Players who will be counted on for additional support are junior Alysa Larson (Middle Hitter) and sophomore Emily Wolfe (outside hitter). Both players improved statistically over the course of the 2014 season and the expectation is the same in 2015. Sophomore Emily Morton will be asked to execute at the setter position vacated via graduation of two-time NCCAA All-American and all time setter Stephanie Knupp. "We have confidence in Emily to run our offense. We anticipate Emily working hard at developing her setter skills and being a leader on the floor. We have more hitting options this year than last year and that will both add and reduce pressure on Emily," noted Nihart. Returner Shannon Steffen was awarded North Central Region Libero of the year in 2015 but will be asked to move to setter in a 6-2 offense while sophomore Joy Smith will provide assistance at the right front position.
The Eagles have five new freshmen added to their roster bolstering depth in front row and back court positions. Faith finished with a 22-11 record last year and runner up finish in the North Central Region championship.