Volleyball Empowered Entering 2018

SHAWNEE – A year after finishing third in the Great American Conference, a young Oklahoma Baptist volleyball squad that features strong upperclassmen leadership is looking to take the next step in its second full season as members of NCAA Division II. To do that, they'll enter 2018 with an emphasis on empowering each other to succeed.
 
"We want to empower ourselves to believe more," explained OBU head coach Anna Howle. "The more we believe, the more we can accomplish. If it's me and someone with a broken leg, I will empower her to do what she can so that we can win."
 
An early start to the 2018 season, thanks to the Division II Fall Festival, has seen the coaching staff instilling that sense of belief in a squad that features nine true freshmen and four true sophomores. They've been helped along as well by the experienced leadership of seniors Hayden Blair and Nicole Fleitman, as well as second team All-GAC selection Makayla Watson, a redshirt sophomore.
 
"I'm expecting [Hayden and Nicole] to really turn it on," said Howle. "This is their last year, last shot. I think as seniors it's a lot easier to develop your goal of winning, winning the conference and making it to the national tournament."
 

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One of the biggest challenges in the preseason will be to replace graduated middle blocker Cadyn Laing, OBU's lone first team All-GAC pick a year ago. However, the move will be easier than expected given a position switch in the middle of last season that saw Fleitman move inside and Laing to the right side. For the season, Fleitman averaged 1.85 kills per set, and was third on the team with .89 blocks per set.
 
"[Nicole] moved over to middle blocker for Cadyn last year," said Howle. "Nicole's doing a really good job in the middle. She's developed a lot in the spring."
 
The battle for the other middle spot, as well as the vacated right side position is being hotly contested in the early part of fall camp. Brenna Holley, who averaged .67 kills and .50 blocks per set in limited action last year, as well as Brecken Roquemore, return as sophomores, while freshmen Olivia Fonville and Destiny AbuBakir-Temple have also showed well during the first week of camp.
 
In addition to Fleitman, Holley and Fonville, juniors Taylor Williams and Alex Felkins will compete for the Lady Bison at middle blocker. On the right side, Rilee Arey will look to push the duo of Roquemore and AbuBakir-Temple.
 
The setter position is also proving to be a close competition, though Blair, who ranked sixth in the GAC at 9.6 assists per set in her junior season, appears to have the inside track. Challenging the senior is newcomer Jenna Gremmel.
 
"The setting situation is a tough competition as well," Howle said. "Hayden's a really strong leader, and everyone respects her and wants to work for her. I think Hayden's winning out right now because of her leadership, but Jenna's really working hard to try and close that gap."
 
"Our freshman setter, Jenna, is coming in ready to set. Her biggest obstacle is being ready to lead the team."
 
Outside hitter should be a position of strength this year with the return of Watson and Malia Leatherland. The duo combined for 5.95 kills/set as a redshirt freshman and true freshman respectively, while junior Rachel Richie did a little bit of everything for OBU a season ago. Joining the trio on the left side are freshmen Katelyn Finch and Kyndall Ellis.
 
Finally, displaying the most youth of any positions, are the defensive specialists, but from Howle's perspective that's a good thing.
 
"I think in that position [defensive specialist] youth is a good thing," explained Howle. "Experience is a good thing, but youth is a good thing, too. They're just workers. They really want to step in and continue to prove themselves and continue to experience growth and get better. I like youth."
 
Leading a youthful group is sophomore Kelsi Chavez, who led all freshmen in the GAC last season with 4.88 digs/set. She's joined by a trio of freshmen in Delayna Mills, Taryn Weber and Elyce Clark.
 
Oklahoma Baptist gets its first taste of action on Aug. 15 when they travel to Fort Smith, Arkansas, for a scrimmage against the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. The Lady Bison open the season a little over a week later against Midwestern State on Aug. 24 at the Tarleton State Invitational.