After notching their best finish in 12 years, coach Carrie Bert is looking to continue the momentum in rebuilding the EMU women’s volleyball program.
“The 2015 season felt steady and energized,” said Bert. “Players showed a freedom on the court that reflected the trust our coaching staff had in their abilities. In turn, we felt excitement from the growing crowds (as well as) in the community. Now we look to build that interest with even more talent and opportunities for success.”
The Royals finished 9-16, their best mark since going 10-16 in 2003. But at 2-9 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, the women finished tied with Guilford for 10th and missed the eight-team ODAC Tournament.
EMU was picked at No. 10 in this year’s ODAC Preseason Poll. Despite losing in four sets at Guilford last year, the Royals came in a mere one point ahead of GC in the 2016 voting.
“I hope the move up in the poll reflects a perception among ODAC coaches that EMU is on the move,” Bert commented, “even if it’s not a big move. However, I never underestimate the quality of teams our ODAC opponents put on the court, so the preseason poll is certainly not something I memorize or think too much about.”
Eastern Mennonite is still one of the most storied programs in the ODAC, second in league history with eight championships. The Royals also have a total of 14 championship game appearances, although none since 1998. The women have struggled since then, with a 2007 berth in the ODAC Tournament their only trip since 2003.
Bert, also an alum and member of the last ODAC Champion team in 1994, is ready for that recent history to change.
“Our big picture goal for the season is to continue to improve our ability to compete within the ODAC,” she said. “On a more detailed level, it’s to make the ODAC Tournament for the first time in what feels like forever.”
While the Royals do return a number of key players from last year, they also graduated five seniors in Katie Miller, Alena Yoder, Dani Driver, Lexi Link and Amy Nussbaum. Yoder and Miller combined for 606 digs, nearly 42% of the team’s total. Miller, a four-year starter at libero, took with her EMU’s record for career digs at 1,738, which was also good for No. 6 in ODAC history.
“Losing Katie and Alena to graduation indeed creates a new look for us defensively,” Bert admitted. “Honestly, they can’t be replaced. The two of them just clicked so well. We are still making decisions about how our defense will look.”
Bert said she has good options available on who will anchor the back row, both from returners and newcomers, citing juniorsSkyler Johnson (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) (275 digs) and Sam Jacob (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) (119 digs) as well as freshman Ginny Sorrell (Spotsylvania, Va./Spotsylvania).
The women also return setter Jasmine Johnson (Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee) (696 assists), who has starting experience in each of her previous seasons. And 94% of last year’s kills return, with a particular strength in middles Becca Hardy (Port Republic, Va./Eastern Mennonite) (107 kills and 43 blocks) and Maria Yoder (Manheim, Pa./Hempfield) (179 kills and 42 blocks).
“Becca moved from outside hitter to middle blocker last year, which was a great fit for her quickness and explosiveness,” Bert said. “And Maria played nearly every set last year as a freshman gaining great in-game experience and developing quickly as a collegiate middle.”
Other leading hitters from 2015 include Skyler Johnson (188 kills), Janna Williams (Kenbridge, Va./Kenston Forest) (164 kills) and Kait Miller (Sellersville, Pa./Christopher Dock) (120 kills). Outside of Hardy, Miller and Yoder, the returning core is mostly juniors.
“We are heavy on juniors,” said Bert. “The junior class is a dedicated, intelligent group with great chemistry. They are excited for the 2016 season and the chance to provide more leadership. With our large roster and half being newcomers, they are already leading.”
The Royals brought in ten new players, bumping the roster to 21 and giving the coaching staff lots of options. Just a week into preseason, many of the newcomers are already vying for time on the court.
“The group is diverse in experience,” Bert said of her recruits. “Beck Hoskins (Danville, Va./Westover Christian Academy) is a great addition for us as we make decisions about hitters. Ginny Sorrell joins us as a fundamentally sound libero. Meredith Stinnette (Lynch Station, Va./Altavista) will also be fighting for playing time as a hitter and brings strong passing skills to the team.”
Aside from increased numbers and a healthy internal competition, the new hitters also brought an added dimension of height.
“The group of hitters is talented and certainly competing for spots,” EMU’s coach explained. “We have freshmen who are really pushing our returners. As a coach, having a group of hitters who are working together to get better, but also fighting for playing time creates a competitive and exciting atmosphere.”
Bert said the veteran presence of Jasmine Johnson as setter, combined with Hardy and Yoder in the middle, would be the foundation of the 2016 Royals. She also expected the team’s serving to be another strongpoint.
While this year’s large roster brings in a dose of talent, it also leaves both the coaching staff and players with a challenge, albeit a welcome one.
“Players will be asked to accept and own roles that could change from day to day,” explained Bert. “As coaches, making decisions about starting lineups will be difficult early in the season. However, I’m excited that so many talented players chose EMU as a place to receive an education. Coaches before me began putting more energy into recruiting and now we are seeing the results of that hard work.”
The year begins with the EMU Invitational, a two-day, eight-team invite in Yoder Arena on Sept. 2 and 3. The Royals will play two matches each day. Admission to the invitational is free, as it is at all home volleyball matches.
Click here to see the full 2016 EMU Women’s Volleyball schedule.
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