CLINTON, Iowa - Record numbers on the roster combined with momentum from a 20-win season a year ago have the Ashford University volleyball program in prime position for unprecedented accomplishments this season.
The Saints are ready to take that next step. The step to emerge from the middle of the pack and establish themselves as one of the elite programs year-in and year-out within the Midwest Collegiate Conference.
And that's why veteran Head Coach Micah Cewe, in his sixth season, is bubbling with optimism as his team prepares for the Zio Johno's Mustang Invitational hosted by Mt. Mercy University this weekend.
"We are very excited with the group we have coming back and the talent with this incoming class of newcomers," Cewe said. "The potential is there. We have set the bar high to win conference get to nationals this year."
A core of four seniors are ready to write the final chapter in their storied careers and with captainship, Kelsay McCausland, Hanna Bruns, Samantha Moller and Tara VanZuiden, would like to make it an end to remember.
McCausland, a three-time All-MCC honoree, etched her name in the school record books last year as a prestigious member of the 1,000-kill club and led the Saints in kills (376) and blocks (115). Her presence in the middle makes the opposition think twice.
Bruns racked up 222 kills, 87 blocks and 51 digs, in her impactful first season after transferring from Kirkwood Community College. She played both on the right side and in the middle for the Saints.
Moller and VanZuiden anchor the Saints defense in the back row, combining nearly 1,000 digs during their junior campaigns. McCausland, Moller and VanZuiden, are all four-year seniors.
Returning sophomore setter Liz Gbur is the lone second-year player on the roster, but with 768 assists (5.28 apg) as a freshman, she comes with the experience of a seasoned veteran. Junior Kendra King led the MCC in service aces two years ago.
"The senior class we have this year have the experience and talent to lead this team where it wants to go," Cewe said. "All returners had significant roles on the court last year and we're excited about the continuity and depth of this squad."
"We have seen some bright spots this preseason," he added. "Some of our strengths include the ability of our team to put the ball away and play great defense."
But the aforementioned depth down the line of the entire squad is a luxury Cewe and his staff hasn't had before. A total of 19 newcomers grace the roster, including 17 freshmen.
Middle blocker Yawen Xiao of Shanghai, China, was a Second-Team All-American at Iowa Lakes Community College and is projected to make an immediate impact on the front line with McCausland and Bruns as a transfer. She carries junior status into the fall.
Melissa Backes of Blaine, Minn., McKenzie Thompson of Plano, Texas, two-sport standout Nichole Johnson (track) of Center Point, Micah Wedemeier (state championship at Tripoli H.S.) of Ionia and JoAnna Hoffman of Prospect Heights, Ill., are just a few freshman names that Cewe touched on.
The list could go on and club experience on the resume is a key reason why the transition from high school to collegiate volleyball could be a seamless one for this group.
"All of our newcomers are giving us depth that we haven't had in past years," Cewe said. "These girls are working hard for those spots. It's a unique opportunity and they push each other to make themselves better."
The Saints will also look to continue to maintain their impressive academic excellence off the court. Cewe's student-athletes were a big reason why Ashford laid claim to the Presidents' Cup after earning status as an NAIA Scholar-Team and landing five players with Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition.
Ashford opens the regular season tomorrow with a pair of matches slated against Grace University (4 p.m.) and Culver-Stockton College (8 p.m.) in Cedar Rapids. Saturday's schedule features a morning match against Cardinal Stritch University (9 a.m.) and wraps up against Trinity Christian College (1 p.m.).
