Volleyball Season Recap
The 2015 volleyball season could be labeled one of "overcoming adversity". Pre-season tryout camp was held off campus requiring the coaching staff and future Eagles to travel to each session. During the week the team experienced sickness, injuries and senior modules! Eventually early season challenges were met and the 2015 team was established including a statistician from the state of Hawaii!
The 2015 campaign began in Chicago versus eventual NCCAA Top 10 team Moody Bible Institute, which would be the first of many Top 10 matches. With a loss, the Eagles returned to Ankeny and defeated rivals North Central University and Union College preparing the team for a very difficult Spikefest Tournament eventually consisting of four NCCAA National Tournament teams. The Eagles began competition against defending national champion Kentucky Christian University and eventual regional champion Providence University College. The Eagles established a 2-0 lead versus KCU only to come up short in a 3-2 defeat. Next the Eagles found themselves tied in a 2-2 match with Providence and leading 13-8 in the 5th set. Unable to get the finishing points and experiencing another 3-2 defeat, the Eagles demonstrated potential to be a competitive team!
Moving forward the coaching staff began putting together rotations eventually totaling 14! In spite of entering pre-regional tournament competition without two starters the Eagles managed to capture a 2-2 record including a victory over NCAA Division III Crown College. Capturing additional victories in September the Eagles entered Midwest Christian College Conference play. Capturing timely road and home conference victories the Eagles finished 3rd behind nationally ranked Manhattan Christian and Ozark Christian College and duplicated the feat finishing third in the MCCC Conference Tournament.
During the season the Eagle volleyball team joined the Faith men's and women's soccer teams to minister in an evening worship service at Fellowship Baptist in Des Moines. The team participated in group singing, testimonies, musical instrument and voice specials. "It was a special opportunity to join our peers to minister and encourage believers at Fellowship Baptist, "noted coach Lanny Nihart.
Continuing their season the Eagles traveled to Barclay College located in southern Kansas for MCCC conference play and the opportunity to play another NCCAA Top 10 team and eventual NCCAA Final Four finalist Arlington Baptist. The Eagles defeated Barclay and playing with intensity pushed Arlington to a 1-1 tie, however Faith struggled to finish sets 3 and 4 eventually losing 3-1. In spite of the loss, the Eagles would find themselves ranked in the NCCAA National Top 10 and establish separate winning streaks. Faith entered North Central Region competition as the #3 seed and a rematch against host NCU. The match was an intense battle with sets one and two; however NCU eventually won 3-0 ending the Eagles 2015 season.
The 2015 season had several Eagles listed as national statistic leaders including, JoJo Hodak in digging average, Emily Wolfe serving aces, Samantha Betz blocking, Alyssa Larson attack %, Kimberly Post kills per set, and Emilie Morton in set assists. Earning MCCC All-Conference honors were seniors Hodak and Post. North Central Region honors went to Larson and Wolfe while Hodak earned Libero of the Year award. Hodak and Larson both earned NCCAA and ACCA Scholar Athlete Awards. Wolfe received ACCA All-American honors while Hodak received honorable mention.
"We earned individual honors, experienced Christian service and survived adversity during the year. We had a schedule uniquely providing numerous matches against NCCAA Top 10 teams. We would have desired to capture more wins especially during regional play, but we were thankful for opportunities presented," stated coach Lanny Nihart. "I am thankful in spite of injuries and other obstacles the team never stopped being competitive to the end".