By: Alex McKeon
BEREA, Ohio – Despite a delayed start on the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Baldwin Wallace University women's volleyball is poised to build on their 2019 Ohio Athletic Conference Semifinal run as they serve up their 2021 season on March 12.
Head Coach Kacie Ehinger looks to continue the positive momentum from her wildly successful first season at the helm, in which the Yellow Jackets opened the season on a 13-game winning streak and finished the year 23-6 overall. The Yellow Jackets return an experienced lineup made up of eight seniors, including All-OAC right side hitter Alexis Garrett (Mentor) and All-OAC setter Kathleen Egan (Cleveland/Beaumont). Egan ranks sixth all-time in career assists with 2,464 and needs just 108 to move into sole possession of fifth place.
"After a long wait, we are excited to get back on floor and compete," said Ehinger. "This team has been very dedicated to being ready when it came time to play, putting in a ton of work in the weight room this fall and early on this semester. We are only a few practices in, but I'm very pleased with how prepared we are physically and can't wait to see what we do in the OAC this spring!"
Joining Garrett on the attack will once again be junior Ivy Earl (Howell, Mich./Howell) who led the Yellow Jackets with 301 kills last season. Junior Cecilia Stebel (Union/Northmont) will look to improve on her 167-kill performance last season and was recently named a captain along with Egan and seniors Sam Pruett (Bolivar/Tuscarawas Valley), who returns from injury, and Sydni Colchagoff (Findlay/Liberty-Benton).
Colchagoff and seniors Sarah Reinhard (Willoughby/South) and Angela Dunn (Fairview Park/Fairview), as well as juniors Morgan Martin (Seven Hills/Trinity) and Isabella Moskowitz (Brighton, Mich.) will anchor the Yellow Jackets on defense this season. Reinhard led the Yellow Jackets with 518 digs and enters the season ranking eighth all time in career digs, needing 494 for 2,000 in her career.
Seniors Allison May (Louisville/St. Thomas Aquinas) and Kail Nicholas (Milwaukee, Wis./University School of Milwaukee) as well as junior Madeline Bednar (Chagrin Falls/Kenston) and sophomore Isa Luciano (Willoughby/South) provided important depth for the Yellow Jackets last season and will likely see increased roles this season.
Joining the Yellow Jackets this season are two exciting freshmen. Outside hitter Nicole Logan (Hilliard/Darby) and setter Kaitlyn Frederick (Sugar Grove/Berne Union) will look to make an impact right out of the gate.
The Yellow Jackets will begin their season with a home doubleheader against Capital University on March 12. BW will play back-to-back matches at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
