OCU brings optimism into volleyball season

Stars begin 2015 at 3 p.m. Oklahoma time Friday against Westmont

Oklahoma City University has added talented newcomers that aim to raise expectations among the volleyball program.
The Stars will enter 2015 with a mixture of veterans and youngsters looking to build upon coach Kyle Steele's first year. Last season, Oklahoma City posted a 20-12 performance for its first 20-win season since 2010.
OCU opens the season 3 p.m. CDT Friday against Westmont (Calif.) in La Mirada, Calif. The Stars also take on Biola (Calif.), ranked second in the NAIA, at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
The Stars' roster features six seniors – four of whom will be completing four years at OCU – among 10 returnees. Seven players will make their OCU debut this weekend.
"There's a lot of new blood," Steele said. "It's exciting but uncertain. I think we're more talented, just younger. I expect a lot of those freshmen and sophomores to contribute. Our team's character has significantly improved."
OCU expects to be strong in the middle with two experienced middle blockers – Tori Leisure and Holly Randall. The Stars have two senior setters, Hannah Mitcham and Heather Watson.
Leisure, a senior from Haslet, Texas, has shown versatility in her OCU career. She added 1.50 kills, 1.53 digs and 0.33 blocks per set last season. Her career numbers are 564 kills, 206 digs and 149 blocks.
"She has bounced around every position, but has always contributed during her college career," Steele said. "She's found a position at middle blocker. We think she will peak her senior year. She could be a consistent force for us."
Randall, a sophomore from Edmond, Okla., seized the starting role midway through her freshman year. Randall supplied OCU with 1.13 kills and 0.69 blocks a set in 2014.
"She put on muscle," Steele said of Randall. "She is swinging harder, jumping higher and blocking more efficiently. She is going to keep getting better."
Mitcham, a senior from Fort Worth, Texas, will look to return to her form as a freshman, when she earned first-team all-conference acclaim. Mitcham enters this season with 2,069 assists, 534 digs and 36 aces as a Star.
"She's handled adversity more than anyone else on the team," Steele said. "She's always been a verbal leader. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the team responds to her leadership."
Watson, a senior from Edmond, Okla., has typically been steady at the setter position. Watson contributed 2.07 assists and 0.22 aces a set last year.
"Heather is probably the most improved player from the existing cast that was here when I arrived," said Steele. "She is going to help us at setter. She was in the gym all summer."
A closer look at OCU:

Outside hitter

OCU found intriguing newcomers to compete for the outside hitter position. Shekinah Clarke, a freshman from Waianae, Hawaii, earned valuable experience at a high level with her AAU team.
"She can make an immediate impact," Steele said. "She is smart, aggressive and controlled. She will be a contributor."
Fia Faa'agi, a freshman from Murrieta, Calif., comes to the program heralded. Steele on Faa'agi: "She has the largest upside of anyone in the program. She's 6-1, jumps well and presents an offensive threat. She hasn't scratched the surface of her potential."
Mandy Martincich, a freshman from Oklahoma City, helped Mount St. Mary in Oklahoma City to the 2013 state championship and a state runner-up finish last season. Steele said, "She has a high ceiling. She has four good years ahead of her. She is a gym rat. I'm excited to see her possibilities."
Stefani Nell, a sophomore from Tulsa, Okla., spent last year with Wingate (N.C.). "She is the best jumper on the team," Steele said. "I expect her to be in the mix at outside hitter."

Right-side hitter

Jami-Rae Renwick returns to hold down the right-side hitter spot. Renwick, a senior from Emerald Park, Saskatchewan, Canada, posted 1.55 kills, 0.53 digs and 0.32 blocks a set last season.
"She had her best match of the year in the conference tournament," Steele said. "We're excited for Jami to be healthy. She is a dynamic athlete who hits the ball hard."
Caitlin Chamness went through spring drills with the Stars after transferring from Kansas Wesleyan at the winter break. Chamness, a sophomore from Littleton, Colo., totaled 40 kills as a freshman for Kansas Wesleyan.
"I'm excited to see how she contributes," Steele said. "She tattoos the ball."

Middle blocker

In addition to Leisure and Randall, Manon Soraru offers a dynamic presence in the middle. Soraru, a sophomore from Mulhouse, France, provided Columbia (Mo.) with 2.09 kills and 0.52 blocks a set last season. Columbia went 33-8 and advanced to the NAIA Championships.
"I'm excited to see her," Steele said. "She will be a force to be reckoned with."
Delainey Messenger supplies OCU with her veteran experience. Messenger, a senior from Edmond, Okla., is known to set the tempo in practice with her work ethic.
"She is one of the most fit athletes we have," Steele said of Messenger. "She has improved over the past semester. She may peak as a senior and find a way to help us in the matches."

Libero/defensive specialist

A group of veterans will compete for the libero and defensive specialist spots. Dani Chase, Lindsey Grace and Kenzie McMullen figure heavily to be at the heart of OCU's defense.
Chase, a sophomore from Yukon, Okla., joins the Stars after notching 2.16 digs per set at Southern Nazarene last year. Chase will hold the libero position when the Stars open the season.
Steele said, "She has a couple competing with her, but the libero job is hers. She is a consistent passer."
Grace, a sophomore from Edmond, Okla., earned experience last season as a defensive specialist. She recorded 1.46 kills and 0.22 aces a set as a freshman.
"She will be in the libero discussion," Steele said. "She's one of the strongest players on the team. She played through rotations last year. She earned herself scholarship money. We hope she expands on her role this year."
McMullen, a sophomore from Edmond, Okla., saw spot duty as well in the defensive back row. McMullen averaged 0.67 digs and 0.26 aces per set.
"She contributed as a freshman from the service line," Steele said. "She will be in the discussion for libero and defensive specialist."
Faith Gerkin, a senior from Douglass, Kan., has given the team experience and intangibles. Steele on Gerkin: "She has one of the best attitudes of anyone I've seen. She's an impressive kid. I expect her to find her way on to the court."

The Stars garnered their highest billing in the preseason Sooner Athletic Conference coaches poll. OCU was predicted to take second in the conference.
"It's exciting times," Steele said. "It's the uncertainty of young players and young decision-making. It could be rocky depending on how many freshmen are on the court at the same time. I'm excited to see where we're at. We will get tested early. We'll know quickly."

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Players Mentioned

#5 Faith Gerkin: DS/Libero; 5' 6"; Senior

#2 Lindsey Grace: DS/Libero; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#12 Tori Leisure: MB/OH; 6' 0"; Senior

#3 Kenzie McMullen: DS/Libero; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#7 Delainey Messenger: MB; 5' 11"; Senior

#1 Hannah Mitcham: S; 5' 10"; Senior

#18 Holly Randall: MB; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#10 Jami-Rae Renwick: OH/RSH; 5' 10"; Senior

#6 Heather Watson: S/DS; 5' 8"; Senior

#16 Manon Soraru: MB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#5 Faith Gerkin
: 5' 6"; Senior
: DS/Libero

#2 Lindsey Grace
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: DS/Libero

#12 Tori Leisure
: 6' 0"; Senior
: MB/OH

#3 Kenzie McMullen
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: DS/Libero

#7 Delainey Messenger
: 5' 11"; Senior
: MB

#1 Hannah Mitcham
: 5' 10"; Senior
: S

#18 Holly Randall
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: MB

#10 Jami-Rae Renwick
: 5' 10"; Senior
: OH/RSH

#6 Heather Watson
: 5' 8"; Senior
: S/DS

#16 Manon Soraru
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MB