By: Kevin Hulsmann '16

BEREA, OHIO -- Baldwin Wallace University senior and former Stow-Munroe Falls High School standout volleyball student-athlete Colleen Bonacci is hoping to help the Yellow Jackets relive a bit of their past.

The BW volleyball team has had great success during the past four decades, including the 1990s and 2000s when they competed yearly for an Ohio Athletic Conference title, a spot in the NCAA Division III National Tournament and had 10 consecutive winning seasons. But after a not-so-good, 12-16 record in 2012, Bonacci is committed to leading the Yellow Jackets back into a contending role.

"As for the team, I'm really excited to see how we do this season," said Bonacci, who carries an outstanding 3.83 grade point average and is a two-time Academic All-OAC student-athlete. "I think we have great team chemistry and a lot of potential."

Bonacci is one of nine veterans returning this fall and who have hopes of returning BW back to its "glory days". This veteran group has dedicated itself to resurrecting a tradition of excellence that started with the legendary Marcia French '63 and continued by current veteran Head Coach Vicki Brault.

Brault, who is in her 23rd season as a collegiate head coach, including her 19th at BW, has won 409 career matches and has a 409-300 career mark. She's had 327 wins at BW and been a two-time OAC Coach of the Year.

Brault has seen tremendous improvement in Bonacci over the past three seasons.

"Colleen has a great work ethic no matter what she is doing," said Brault. "She balances both academics and athletics equally. I am so proud of the way that Colleen has grown and matured the past three years.

"Colleen is very unique person," continued Brault about her six-foot middle hitter. "The thing I really like about Colleen is that she always seems to step up to the challenge.

"She may not always succeed, but she handles every situation in a positive manner," said Brault. "I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching Colleen and watching her grow both on and off the court."

Bonacci has had a very solid career at BW thus far posting a 50-42 record during her first three seasons and earning three varsity letters. She has appeared in 210 matches and has recorded 418 kills, 59 digs and 89 total blocks. 

As a freshman, Bonacci helped BW post a 20-13 record after having just five wins the year prior. She had her best season as a collegian with 242 kills and 53 blocks.  As a sophomore and junior, she alternated on the front row while earning Academic All-OAC accolades.

However, what a lot of people don't know about is Colleen's success in the classroom. 

In addition to being a two-time Academic All-OAC pick, Bonacci is a member of the Dean's List, a Jacket Scholar and a member of numerous academic honoraries.  She is a true example of what it means to be a student-athlete. She is a student first and an athlete second.

"Colleen really has her priorities in the right places," said Brault. "She is working on her academics a great deal, and she sets a great example for our younger students. She is a role model and takes that seriously."

Along with preparing for the upcoming volleyball season this summer, Bonacci, an exercise science major, has been working on a research study with Dr. Jaimy Dyer in BW's Division of Health and Physical Education. She has titled her research study as "A Biomechanical Comparison Between Running in Nike Frees and Running Barefoot." 

Bonacci was asked to described her research study.

"The Nike Free running shoe claims to simulate a 'barefoot run', so by using Dartfish technology we can essentially video tape the subjects and then measure the angles of their feet, hips, and knees on contact," said Bonacci.  "Each subject does a series of running trials barefoot on the treadmill and another series in the Nike Frees at a pace based on a percentage of their maximum heart rate. From that research, we can make some calculations and eventually some conclusions."

With all the research that Colleen has been doing all summer, she has still managed to prepare for her fourth and final season of volleyball. 

"I've been lifting, running, doing agility, and making sure to get my hands on the ball at least once a week," said Bonacci. "I am excited to be in preseason camp and even more excited to get the season started this weekend.

"As a team, the seniors spent the summer scheduling open gyms and inviting the whole team, including the incoming freshman, to come up to BW to play," said Bonacci. "We both had a lot of fun and played some competitive volleyball. Most importantly, we developed team chemistry."

Bonacci believes that by being a leader to the younger players, she is showing them that the team is most important. 

"As for my legacy, I want to be remembered on the court as a team player," said Bonacci. "I want people to always remember that I always did what's best for the team and put my team before myself.

"I want to be a leader on and off the court," continued Bonacci. "This could be my last season of ever playing competitive volleyball, so I want to end my college career with no regrets. I definitely feel I've prepared myself mentally and physically for the upcoming season. I've kept myself on a intense training schedule and made sure to get my hands on the ball a few times a week."

She also has enjoyed her BW volleyball career. 

"I would say that playing college volleyball is one of the best decisions I made at Baldwin Wallace," said Bonacci. "I have made some of my best friends on the team, friendships that will last a lifetime, and I've learned so many life lessons from Coach Brault. It has been a great experience.

"Playing a collegiate sport is challenging, especially volleyball, when you are traveling every weekend and missing classes. However, it is also an extremely rewarding experience."

During her final year at the University, look for Colleen to do something special for Baldwin Wallace University both on and off the court.  

BW opens its season at the Westminster College Tournament in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania when they face The College of Wooster on Friday, August 30 at 6:00 and then plays the host school at 8:00 p.m. The second and final day of the tournament will take place on Saturday, August 31.

In two weeks, Friday and Saturday, September 6-7, BW hosts the Annual Marcia French Memorial Invitational in the Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium in the Lou Higgins Center. The Yellow Jackets open OAC play at home on Saturday, September 28 when they host Muskingum University at 12:30 p.m. on Family & Community Day at BW.  

FOR MORE BW SPORTS INFORMATION, please contact SID Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu and Assistant SID Jeff Miller by telephone at 440-826-2780 and e-mail at jefmille@bw.edu. Fans can access the latest BW athletics information at www.bw.edu/athletics and we invite you to join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bwyellowjackets and Twitter at http://twitter.com/bwathletics.