2023 Women's Volleyball Season Review

Ankeny, IA - The 2023 season was certainly one to remember. During the year the team earned exciting victories, personal best seasons for individual players, and the earning of MCCC All-Conference and NCCAA All-American and Scholar Athlete awards. The team also participated in community outreach ministry to Miracle League and Alpha Women's Center. Along with other fall sports, the team was given the great opportunity to minister at Ankeny Baptist Church during an evening worship service.  

An experienced core of 8 returning players created a solid base to align with 7 new freshmen entering into the 2023 season. The core was led by All-American Rachel Forgie and returning All-Region and All-Conference Audrey Glandon. Both were selected as captains for the 2023 campaign and proved themselves to be sacrificial leaders on and off the court.  "Both of these ladies did a great job engaging with the returners and newcomers to our team. They continue to help build a culture of first honoring the Lord with our play, having a winning attitude, and caring for one another as teammates. Leading us to the NCCAA National Championship two out of the last 3 years supports their leadership quality," noted coach Lanny Nihart. 

The Eagles were road warriors beginning the season starting strong with a 6-2 record. Their only losses during that stretch were to eventual national runner up Manhattan Christian College and top 10 ranked North Central University. Returning home for the first time in mid-September, the Eagles hosted the Fall Classic and defeated Maranatha Baptist University for the first time in several years. They would also gain a sweep of MBU later in October. The second day of the classic was the first disappointment of the year for the team as they lost two consecutive 5 set matches to the top 5 ranked Randall University and in a rematch against North Central. "Our team played with resiliency throughout the year. While we lost two tough matches that day, we showed spirit going forward. Those losses actually spurred our desire to win the rest of the year," noted coach Nihart. 

Finishing the September schedule, the Eagles posted a 3-1 record building up to a rematch against Manhattan Christian College. The Eagles played with energy but fell just short in a 3-2 match loss.  They stayed true to their goals and went 5-1 over the course of the next 6 matches. The Eagles then entered MCC Conference Tournament as the #2 seed.  First round bye was followed by a rematch with #5 Calvary University, a team that had defeated home and away during the regular conference season.  Playing inspired volleyball, Calvary overcame an early Eagle 2-1 match lead and finished with a 5th set win.  "Calvary was coached this year by JoJo Wilkes, a former Faith All-American player. It was great to see how JoJo led her team to great success this year". 

Once again, after a tough loss Faith came out and dominated the third-place game defeating Emmaus Bible College 3-0. 

The team had a 12 day wait to participate in the NCCAA II North Region Championship held on Thursday, November 9th. Competing and practicing against team members was a tough assignment but the team endured. "We really had to be focused during those days when we waited to play...," noted coach Nihart. "The team did great and continued to grow together in their goal to win the banner and the automatic bid to the National Championship." 

An electric crowd filled the Nettleton Center Thursday night as the Eagles took the court for the opportunity to claim another regional title against North Central. Set one found Faith in a tight battle with the Rams, but the Eagles would prevail with a 25-23 set one victory. North Central reset the match at one set apiece, as they pulled out a tight 25-23 win. With the match tied at one apiece, the Eagles and their fan base found some momentum in set three. Faith jumped out early and never looked back, taking set three 25-18 and moved one set away from the win. The Eagles would maintain that momentum into set four as they jumped on North Central early. The Rams could not stem the tide and all the Eagles had to do was finish out the set. There were some nervous moments late in the match with Faith holding a 24-17 lead. North Central scored five unanswered points to pull within two at 24-22, but Faith found the final point on a kill from Codie Wirges and the players and fans erupted, storming the court.

The Eagles traveled to participate in the 2023 National Championship Tournament as the #7 seed. Inserted into a pool with #2, #3 and #6 the Eagles faced tough competition.  The first day came the rematch with #2 Manhattan Christian and a tough 3 set loss 21-25, 21-25, and 22-25. The following day Faith played #3 Arlington Baptist (Dallas, TX) and again played soundly only to come up short 3-1. Playing their final game at 9:30 pm the Eagles looked to end the year with #6 Boyce College (Louisville, KY).  Holding the lead for much of the first set, Faith had unforced errors and fell 26-24, and saw a lapse in set two losing 12-25. The Eagles rebounded with a 25-22 win in set three, but paced by strong hitting, Boyce was able to capture the final set 25-17 and the match win. 

Rachel Forgie experienced an unforgettable senior year. Her achievements included being selected to the NCCAA Second Team All-American and AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) Second Team honors. Prior to the National Championship Tournament, Rachel received the outstanding player award for the NCCAA North Region and MCCC First Team All-Conference placement. One of the greatest honors for Rachel was being selected by the NCCAA as the Dr. Vickie Grooms Denny Award recipient. The award is given to the individual who demonstrates and represents a pursuit of excellence on and off the court, reflects Jesus Christ in leadership and ministries. Rachel also received the NCCAA Scholar-Athlete Award.  

Co-captain Audrey Glandon earned Honorable Mention All-Region and All-Conference, and received the NCCAA Scholar-Athlete Award. Sadie Long received the NCCAA Scholar-Athlete Award. Libero Maddie Hodak was selected as 2nd Team All-Region, and All-Conference Honorable Mention. Setter Reagan McPeek was 2nd Team All-Region, and 2nd Team All-Conference. Codie Wirges was named to the 2nd team All-Region and All-Conference Honorable Mention.  

Rachel Forgie led the Eagles in both kills per set (3.52) and hitting efficiency (25.5%). Codie Wirges was second with (2.69) kills per set. Defensively, Rachel Forgie and Sadie Long led the team in blocking with nearly the same mark of .75 per set, while libero Maddie Hodak led the team with 5.0 digs per set, followed by Codie Wirges at 3.84 and Belle Wirges at 3.56. Codie Wirges led the team in serving aces with .53 per set while setter Reagan McPeek led the team in assists with 8.67 per set. Many of the marks above were listed in the NCCAA Top 10 rankings throughout the 2023 campaign.   

"The season was full of surprises and accomplishments. This team, head assistant coach Erin Davis, and discipleship coach Nancy Wilmeth were a blessing to me. Our team theme was 'the faithfulness and goodness of God'. Truly we realized both of those attributes during the course of the 2023 season. This team will always be remembered as resilient and one that desired to honor the Lord with their play," noted Nihart.

Team Awards

MVP - Rachel Forgie

Coaches Award - Audrey Glandon

Most Improved Player - Grace Brower