BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University women's volleyball team looks to improve on last fall's sixth place finish as they begin the 2022 campaign next Friday, September 2.
BW was picked to finish fifth in this year's Ohio Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll after finishing with an overall record of 19-10 last year. Under first-year Head Coach Kristina Fultz, the Yellow Jackets welcome back seven letterwinners, one All-OAC award winner, and five starters. BW also brings in 10 newcomers to this year's roster. The Yellow Jackets are excited to bring back their top leader on defense, sophomore libero Lauren Gardner (Avon/Saint Joseph Academy).
Gardner, who is the lone All-OAC returner, appeared in and started all 29 matches and 107 sets last season. Gardner led the team and was second in the OAC in total digs, tallying 535. She also averaged 5.00 digs per set, sixth in the OAC. Gardner is a two-time OAC Defensive Player of the Week, notched her career and season-high 37 digs, was second on the team in assists (91), and added 33 service aces during last year's campaign.
Also returning to the court is senior Academic All-OAC middle hitter Isa Luciano (Willoughby/South), who started every match last year. Luciano was the block leader for the Yellow Jackets, posting a career-high 62 total. Luciano was also third on the team in service aces (38), third on the team in total kills (222) and added 67 digs.
Sophomore setter Lauren Reid (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) returns after a standout freshman season, starting every match for the Yellow Jackets. Reid led the team and was second in the OAC in total assists (1,055) and assists per set (9.95). She was second on the team in service aces (40) and added 40 kills. Reid also posted 238 digs and 24 total blocks during the 2021 campaign.
BW also welcomes back sophomore Allison Weiner (Columbus/St. Francis DeSales) and junior Nicole Logan (Hilliard/Darby) on the right side. Weiner appeared in 28 matches, totaling 178 kills and 13 blocks.
Sophomore middle hitter Alyssa Saghy (Pittsburgh/Upper Saint Clair) is the final starter returner as she totaled 62 kills and was second on the team in total blocks (30). Sam Rueda (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley), Sydney Simonson (Sullivan/Black River), and Ashleigh Curtiss (Bolingbrook, Ill.) also return for their sophomore season.
BW opens the 2022 campaign on September 2 when it travels to Sandusky for its first non-conference weekend tournament inside the Cedar Point Sports Center. The Yellow Jackets will take on Smith (Mass.) College and Hope (Mich.) College on Friday, September 2 and Grove City (Pa.) College and Hanover (Ind.) College on Saturday, September 3. The home opener is on Wednesday, September 7 when BW hosts Hiram College for another non-conference showdown.
