MIDWAY, Ky. -- After the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone to rearrange their schedule, the Midway University women's volleyball team will open their season tonight in Batavia, Ohio when they battle Cincinnati-Clermont (Ohio).
First serve is set for 7 p.m. ET as the match will be livestreamed and can be found here.
This season, head coach Jonea Rima has the luxury of having depth and experience – a luxury she didn't necessarily have in seasons past. The roster may show 10 freshmen, but Rima returns 13 players from last year – nine of which played in at least 15 matches. She also added a couple of transfers with collegiate experience.
Leading the list of returners is Alysha Tullar who earned First Team All-Conference honors last season following a stellar junior campaign. The outside hitter from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. returns for her senior season after amassing 525 kills and averaging 4.86 kills per set as a junior. She finished the season ranked No. 1 in the NAIA in kills per set and 10th in the nation in kills.
Midway also returns the services of Ashlee Simpson (Somerset, Ky.), Madi Eberst (Chillicothe, Ohio) and Krissy Cummins (Frankfort, Ky.) who are entering their third year in the program. All three also appeared in 31 matches last season.
Simpson led the defensive effort last season compiling 514 digs averaging 4.59 digs per set, while she also served 31 aces. Eberst, meanwhile, ran the offense picking up 980 assists and averaged 8.75 assists per set, while she carded 337 digs and averaged 3.01 digs per set. Cummins stepped up as a sophomore and posted 149 digs.
Also returning to help bolster the offense are sophomores, Brooke Trompler (Campton, Ky.) and Raegan Stevens (Ashland, Ky.).
Trompler returns after compiling 358 kills and averaging 3.35 kills per set as a freshman. She also finished with 265 digs and served a team-high 50 aces. Stevens, meanwhile, provided a much-needed presence in the middle picking up 96 kills and 34 total blocks. She also served 45 aces which finished second on the team.
Sophomores, Brinley Griswold (Ashland, Ky.) and Tori Richman (Fort Wayne, Ind.) are also back and expected to provide an offensive presence from the front row.
Along with an impressive list of returners, Rima has added three transfers as well as a talented crop of freshman who could step in right away.
Mariana Rodriguez (Houston, Texas), a junior transfer from Brevard College (N.C.), will see time in the backrow defensively; Kaylee Criswell (Rockdale, Texas), a sophomore transfer from Ranger College (Texas), is likely to join Stevens in the middle; and Wilani Velazquez (Carolina, Puerto Rico), a sophomore transfer from Dodge City Community College (Kans.), will see time as a defensive specialist.
Helping add to the depth for the Eagles are incoming freshman, Meghan Adams (Hopkinsville, Ky.), Jaclyn Devine (Harrodsburg, Ky.) and Annessa Roysdon (Monticello, Ky.) who will be getting their first taste of volleyball at the collegiate level.
"I really like our team and I'm excited to see how we look against outside competition," said Rima. "Our girls are excited to get back on the court and I'm excited to see how we grow as the season progresses.
After opening their season on the road at Cincinnati-Clermont on Thursday, the Eagles will return to Marshall Gymnasium on September 19 when they host Alice Lloyd (Ky.) in their home opener to kickoff a four-match homestand.
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