TicketsAug. 8, 2011
CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati head volleyball coach Reed Sunahara welcomed 15 student-athletes to campus today to start the team's quest for a second consecutive BIG EAST Championship.
Today featured six meetings with various administrative and athletic staff in the Academic Center. After receiving equipment for the year, the team headed out for dinner at Olive Garden.
Last year the team advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament and finished the season receiving votes in the AVCA Top 25. Coach Sunahara returns several key starters that will look to lead the drive to the top.
Middle blocker Jordanne Scott was a 2010 AVCA All-American. She played in all 36 matches as a sophomore and was first on the team in attack percentage (.333). She also earned all-region team and all-BIG EAST first- team honors.
Outside hitter Missy Harpenau is the lone senior on the 2011 squad. The team will rely on her leadership, and her versatility. She was third on the team in digs (298) and fourth on the team in kills (180). As of now, she is on pace to be only the sixth player in UC history is reach 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.
Junior middle blocker Becca Refenes also returns. She played in every game in 2010 and was the defensive leader at the net with 129 blocks. She was also a force behind the serving line with 38 aces.
The volleyball team also welcomed six new faces today to add depth to the 2011 roster. On the roster as true freshmen are Jordan Householder (OH/RS), Caylin Mahoney (S), Jamie Netisingha (L), Me'Ashah Nicholson (MB/OH), and Erica Stahl (MB).
Another new athlete for UC, but no stranger to college volleyball is setter Rachel Rohlfs. She is a junior transfer from Grand Valley State and has returned to her hometown here in Cincinnati to compete for a starting setter position.
First practices begin August 9 and will continue, along with lifting, every week until the first match at Northern Illinois on August 26.