08/22/13 The Ancilla College volleyball team enters the 2013 season with a nice core of returners and the strongest freshman recruiting class to date.
The Charger 2012 campaign hit a lot of milestones. Ancilla finished 20-16, their first twenty win season since 2007 and qualified for the NJCAA Region XII tournament for the first time in that same span. The Chargers also won their first Region XII tournament match since 2005.
The Chargers have been getting the job done in the classroom also, entering this season as Ancilla President’s Cup winners for the highest GPA in the athletic department for the last three years. Ancilla was also recognized last season by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) as an All-Academic Team.
Expectations are high in 2013 with the return of three starters and just under 50% of their offense from last year’s squad including MCCAA Western Conference Honorable Mention and All-Freshman Team members Jessica Moore and Hayley Mavrick. Mavrick finished last season second on the team in kills (270) and aces (46), while Moore, was number two in blocks (29 solo and 32 assists) and third in kills (244). The third returning starter, Mieka Wagner, was third on the team in digs (346). Other returners for the Chargers include Sydney Beaune and Hannah Kelly.
“These returners come in with valuable playing experience and maturity,” mentioned Ancilla coach Lana Singleton. “These young ladies have stepped up their game and are playing well.”
New faces to the Ancilla program include Suzanne Grimm, Courtney Griffith, Mariah Kinney, Amber Redinger, Mackenzie White, and Hannah Sneed.
“These freshmen are loaded with talent,” says Singleton, “and more importantly, with desire.”
Speaking about the team as a whole, Singleton declares, “I love the work ethic I see most days in practice. I love the team camaraderie, and the fact that these girls push each other to be the best they can be.”
Ancilla opens their season on Thursday, August 22 at the South Suburban (IL) Tournament against the host Bulldogs. After six matches in South Holland, which include matchups against two NJCAA Preseason Top 10 opponents, the Chargers return to the LifePlex for their home opener on Tuesday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. against Morton College (IL). The MCCAA West season begins September 5 at Lansing Community College, while the home conference season is served up on September 10 at 6:30 p.m. against Muskegon Community College.
Ancilla plays their home matches in the Charger Arena at the LifePlex of Plymouth, Indiana.
