(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 1)—The 2016 McKendree University women's volleyball team looks to build off the success of the last two seasons after back-to-back 20 win campaigns, including a run to the NCAA Tournament and a Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division Crown.
The Bearcats are under the tutelage of third year coach
Nickie Sanlin, who has racked up a 29-16 record in two-plus seasons at the helm. Sanlin took over the program in October of 2014 and led the Bearcats on a postseason run to the GLVC Conference Championship before earning a bid in the NCAA Tournament. In year two the Bearcats sustained that success with a 15-3 record in conference play to earn a share of the GLVC East Division and the top seed in the GLVC Tournament.
McKendree has turned the page to 2016 with a higher set of expectations highlighted by a roster with five returning starters that will jockey for position in the GLVC.
"The GLVC is one of the toughest Division II Conferences in the country," said Sanlin. "Maintaining a spot at the top will take hard work daily in the gym and the weight room. We have a singular team focus that being our best every day has to the be the mentality. We need to continue to battle for a conference championship and make more than an appearance in the NCAA Tournament."
The Bearcats return one of the top players in the nation in junior
Arela Williams (San Diego, CA/LaJolla Country Day) who received national praise a season ago while leading the team in both kills and digs with 458 and 451 respectively. As a six rotation player, Williams took home GLVC Player of the Year honors, as well as an AVCA DII All-American Honorable Mention nod, AVCA and D2CCA All-Midwest Region First Team, and First Team All-GLVC.
"Arela is coming off one of the most successful sophomore seasons and is only looking towards the future. She does an amazing job setting goals and staying focused on her role on the team. She handles pressure extremely well and has put in a countless amount of time in the weight room to prepare for this season."
Another key returner for McKendree is senior middle blocker
Sophie Fairman (Staunton, IL/Staunton), who ranked second on the squad with 303 kills to go with a team high .359 attack percentage. Fairman also led the Bearcats in blocks with a 128, garnering All-GLVC recognition.
"Sophie has matured right before my eyes and will return as a force in the middle during her senior season. She is well on her way to becoming one of the most successful middle blockers in McKendree history."
Junior
Amanda Geiger (Tomball, TX/Concordia Lutheran) will look to expand her role for the Bearcats after posting 212 kills, 57 digs, and 53 blocks a season ago. At 6'3", the right side attacker will see increased time on the floor after splitting time as a sophomore.
"Amanda has brought size, the ability to score, and a leadership presence to the team this season. She earned her way into the starting lineup last season and has worked extremely hard to improve her craft in the off-season."
Other Bearcats to watch for include senior right side
Bailey Kampwerth (Breese, IL/Mater Dei), junior middle blocker
Carissa Lorenz (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way West), and freshman
Kelly Voss (St. Rose, IL/Mater Dei ).
"Bailey has stepped seamlessly into the right side attacker position and will be a great asset to our offensive and defensive arsenal. Carissa was hit with an injury towards the end of last season. She is one of the main defensive reasons we had a successful 2015 campaign and we are glad to have her back in the starting lineup. Kelly is a local product from Mater Dei high school, has great ball control, and is learning how to score offensively at the Division II level."
With a new year comes a new senior class and the need for leadership roles to be filled. Senior libero
Breanna Howe (Mt. Pulaski, IL/Mt. Pulaski) has stepped into that role after transitioning from the setting position her sophomore year.
"Breanna is one of the three captains on our team. She has a bulldog winning mentality, has great on and off the court communication skills, and sets the tone every day in our practice gym. Her attitude in the gym is contagious and it's exciting to watch the team compete when she is on the court."
Bringing that attitude shapes the team mentality and will pay dividends as the season progresses.
"Every day in practice they work extremely hard. They have the understanding that they are a part of one machine and each player has to be the star of their role for the machine to be great. I encourage them to be the aggressor in every situation, play the game fearlessly, and embrace the present moment of each game situation. If an opponent is going to beat us they will have to fight and claw to the finish."
The Bearcats open the season Sept. 2 in Canyon, TX at the Lady Buff Classic hosted by West Texas A&M University. McKendree will play in two tournaments to open the season before its home opener on Sept. 13 against Lindenwood University.
