Season Preview: Volleyball looks to challenge for a conference championship in 2016

By Caleb Scott

ADA — The Ohio Northern volleyball team will look to challenge for a conference championship in 2016.

The Polar Bears finished 24-6 overall and 8-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference in 2015 under 26th-year head coach Kate Witte. 

Witte and her staff returns seven letterwinners from last years squad, including three All-OAC honorees.

Northern also welcomes a talented freshman class in 2016.

"We are really excited to get this season underway," said head coach Kate Witte. "This team is very athletic and we are very optimistic. We are a talented group and we are very excited to see what they can accomplish."

"The schedule is very tough this season but we are excited to see this group excel. We have to be as consistent as possible to be successful this season."

Here's a breakdown of the Ohio Northern volleyball team, by position:

Outside Hitters

Senior Claire Heitkamp will look to be the driving force for the outside hitters in 2016.

Heitkamp is a two-time All-OAC honoree and was fourth on the team with 239 kills and is third among returners with 45 blocks a year ago.

"Claire is the most consistent hitter we have. She looks like she is in midseason form already and has had a great preseason" Witte said. "Claire has really grown as a leader and has taken on that role very well."

Freshmen Sydney Fecko, Sydney Bapst, Megan Anderson and McKenna Jordan will battle for time in the starting rotation for Northern.

"These four girls have great athleticism. They can rotate into numerous positions and should have a impact for us this season," Witte said. "There is a learning curve for freshman and we believe this group will adjust quickly."

Middle Hitter

Junior Haley Potters will be the anchor in the middle for the Polar Bears in 2016.

Potters was named to the Bluffton Sommer Center Spiketacular All-Tournament team last season, and led the team in total blocks, while ranking third in the conference.

"Haley has a ton of upside. She had a great season last year and will really be our leader in the middle in 2016," Witte said. "She is getting more consistent and it has shown early on this season."

Freshman Chelsea Huppert will also see time in the middle for Northern in 2016.

"Chelsea had a great preseason for us and she comes from a really good high school. She knows the game really well and has showed that she can compete at this level."

Libero/Defensive Specialist

Junior Megan Nieszala has established herself as the squad's libero and will key a very talented and athletic back row.

The First Team All-OAC honoree, First Team All-Great Lakes Region, OAC Libero of the Year, and Honorable Mention All-American led the team with 572 digs and led the conference with 5.78 digs per set in 2015.

Junior Brenna Dee, sophomores Taylor Emery, Michaela Sharlow and incoming freshmen McKenna Hostetler and Kristin Langston look to give the Polar Bears tremendous depth in the back row.

"Megan is a very consistent player for us. She has proven to be a solid player that we know we can always count on," Witte said. "Brenna plays an important role on our team and is so valuable to our squad and really understands her role on this team. Michaela is one of the quickest and most athletic girls on our team and she is very knowledgeable of the game. Taylor had a great preseason and she will add a lot of depth for us in the back court."

"McKenna and Kristin are both very athletic and have a great opportunity to contribute to this team."

Setter

Senior Ashley Borchers returns after being named First Team All-OAC, First Team All-Great Lakes Region and Honorable Mention All-America a season ago as a setter.

Borchers ranks sixth all-time at Ohio Northern with 2,285 career assists and led the team with 1,083 assists in 2015.

"Ashley is such a good leader and impactful senior. She had a great year last season and has grown and improved every year," Witte said.

Freshman Madison Broering will also look to make a big impact in the setter position. 

"Madison comes from a great high school program and has played some quality opponents in her high school career. She is a very well-trained setter and will make an impact right away for us."

Schedule

Northern will start out its 2016 season with the 38th Annual ONU Invitational on Sept. 2-3.

ONU will also travel to tournaments at Bluffton, Franklin & Marshall (Pa.), and Hanover (Ind.) and will face regional foes Bluffton, Defiance and Denison in non-conference action.

The OAC schedule gets underway Oct. 1 when the Polar Bears travel to Mount Union.

The OAC Tournament is slated for Nov. 1-5 at campus sites.