Athletics Headlines: 2008 Women's Volleyball Season Preview

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September 1, 2008

2008 Women's Volleyball Season Preview

The 2008 Missouri Baptist University women’s volleyball team has a lot to prove. Coming off a 2007 season that ended in the NAIA Region V tournament (25-13), the Spartans have their sights set on a return to the NAIA National Tournament, where the team finished in the Final Four in 2005 and the Elite Eight in 2006.

“This team will have a nice mix of returning players that have great experience and skill and a group of new girls that will bring great athleticism and energy,” said fourth year coach John Yehling. Senior middle hitter Brittany Lukasek is a returning third team NAIA All-American and was named team captain along with newcomer Mandi Wolf. Wolf, a junior libero recently played for Rockhurst University, a NCAA Division II program in Kansas City. Wolf will be filling the shoes of MBU's two-time all-American libero Tracey Abell.

The Lady Spartans will also rely on a lot of youth for their success this season. Freshmen Lindsay Vlassos, Megan Moore, Chelsea Grimshaw, and Jessica Bowman should all see significant playing time.

“We play in a tough conference and have an even tougher non-conference schedule with the hopes of getting ourselves ready for the national tournament. We expect this group of girls to step up to the challenge and get us to Iowa for that tournament."

The Lady Spartans will open their season at the Best Western Classic hosted by Columbia College this Friday. Play will open for MBU at 1:00 p.m. against St. Louis rival Lindenwood University. MBU will also face conference foe and perennial power house Columbia on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. Saturday's line-up will feature a 9:00 a.m. match versus Bellevue University, and a 3:00 p.m. match against Georgetown College. Yehling hopes his team's performance at the Best Western Classic will help them to crack the Top 20 in the NAIA National Ratings.