Volleyball 8/25/2016 3:10:00 PM

OCU looks to keep rising in volleyball

Stars set to begin play at noon Friday against McPherson in Marshall, Mo.

Oklahoma City University comes into a highly anticipated 2016 campaign looking to progress in its quest to be competitive on a national level.
The Stars enter the season as favorites to capture the Sooner Athletic Conference for the first time ever. OCU took votes in the preseason NAIA volleyball rankings for the first time since 2010.
Oklahoma City opens its season noon Friday against McPherson (Kan.) in the Missouri Valley Viking Invitational at Marshall, Mo.
OCU coach Kyle Steele notched SAC coach of the year while directing the Stars to a 21-8 showing last year. The Stars spent four weeks in the top 25, reaching their highest ranking ever at No. 23.
"We've been on a stepping-stone process," said Steele, who has piloted the Stars to a 41-20 record in two seasons. "The next step is to make pool play of the national tournament and get a few wins. We got a high standard for us to shoot for this year. That's a reachable goal for us if we stay healthy and play well."
The Stars' schedule includes four matches against teams in the preseason top 15 in tournament play through mid-September.
"We should be better, but that's on paper," said Steele. "We still need to show up at practice and on the court every day."
OCU returns honorable-mention all-American middle blocker Manon Soraru. Soraru reeled in first-team all-NAIA South Central Region acclaim, SAC newcomer of the year and first-team all-conference accolades. Soraru, a junior from Mulhouse, France, posted 2.86 kills, 0.66 blocks and 0.20 aces per set last year.
"I look for her to be the driving force behind our offense," Steele said of Soraru. "Her blocking came a long way in the spring."
Learn about the Stars position by position:

Libero/defensive specialist

Dani Chase anchors the OCU defense as the libero. Chase, a junior from Yukon, Okla., collected a second-team all-SAC nod as well as two league defender of the week awards. She accumulated 4.66 digs and 0.25 aces a set in 2015.
"She is a leader on the team," Steele said about Chase. "She was incredibly strong the last 10 matches last year. We hope she carries that momentum into this year."
OCU's defense figures to be in good hands with veterans Lindsey Grace and Kenzie McMullen on hand. Grace, a junior from Edmond, Okla., provided the Stars with 1.66 digs and 0.18 aces a set, while McMullen, a junior from Edmond, Okla., added 1.06 digs and 0.13 aces per set.
"She had a good spring and is ready to challenge for the libero role," Steele said of Grace. "She got a lot better. We're excited to see her progress. She's matured."
Steele on McMullen: "She had a strong spring. She's going to be fighting for the defensive specialist spot. She continues to serve the ball well and play good defense."

Outside hitter/right-side hitter

The Stars boast of dynamic and skilled hitters. Fia Faa'agi displayed her versatility in taking honorable-mention all-league and conference attacker of the week once last year. Faa'agi, a sophomore from Murrieta, Calif., recorded 2.00 kills, 1.14 digs, 0.42 blocks and 0.19 aces per set.
"She took her strength and conditioning to the next level," Steele said about Faa'agi. "She is a shutdown blocker. We are excited to see where her offense goes."
Stefani Nell also left her mark in her first season with OCU, pulling in honorable-mention all-SAC. Nell, a junior from Tulsa, Okla., chipped in 2.74 kills, 2.44 digs and 0.26 blocks a set. Steele said, "She's come back bigger, stronger and faster."
Shekinah Clarke contributed extensively as a freshman. Clarke, a sophomore from Waianae, Hawaii, supplied OCU with 0.82 kills, 0.89 digs, 0.66 blocks and 0.13 aces per set.
"She has the best ball control on the team," Steele said of Clarke. "She reads the defense and puts herself in position to make the play. We hope she shows more on offense."
Caitlin Chamness became known with her booming serves. Chamness, a junior from Littleton, Colo., topped the team with 32 aces while compiling 0.46 aces and 0.30 digs per set.
"She hits the ball harder than anyone else," Steele said. "She hits it a ton. She serves better than anyone."
OCU's newcomer among the attackers is Marijana Bjelobrk, a freshman from Belgrade, Serbia. Bjelobrk should provide yet another option for the Stars offense and contribute defensively.
"She is going to help our offense and blocking tremendously," Steele said of Bjelobrk. "She has a great arm and good ball control."

Middle blocker

Alongside Soraru, Holly Randall poses a difficult block to get around with her 6-foot-3 height. She added 1.29 kills and 0.43 blocks a set last year. Randall, a junior from Edmond, Okla., will help lead OCU's student body as student government vice president.
"She had a great spring," Steele said. "Playing behind two all-Americans gave her a different perspective. She has a sense of urgency to be better."
Mandy Martincich has increased her skill level in a bid to expand her role as well. Martincich, a sophomore from Oklahoma City, averaged 1.20 kills and 0.20 blocks in limited time as a collegiate rookie.
"She is leaps and bounds better than last year," Steele said of Martincich. "We will train her at the left side and the middle. Her offense has come a long way. She should play more."

Setter

The Stars will break in new setters this year in Michelle Krenowicz and Sanja Vojnovic. Vojnovic, a junior from Bajeljena, Bosnia, brings experience with national contender Columbia (Mo.) and the Bosnian junior national team. Vojnovic turned in 8.89 assists, 1.97 digs, 0.58 blocks and 0.36 aces a set with State College of Florida last year.
"We are super excited to have a 6-foot-1 left-handed setter," Steele said of Vojnovic. "We are happy to have her on campus and excited to see how she can quarterback our offense."
Krenowicz, a freshman from Frisco, Texas, picked up all-district honors as a prep senior.
Steele on Krenowicz: "She played for a talented club. She is a very intelligent player and good defender. Her upside is huge. We need her to get stronger and faster."

OCU has raised its expectations with its first back-to-back seasons reaching 20 victories over the past two years since 2006-08, the first three years volleyball had been revived on campus.
"There's a bull's eye on us so we have to compete," Steele said. "People will be ready to play us. It will be interesting to see the best version of every team we play when they have nothing to lose, and we have everything to lose."

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#8 Caitlin Chamness: RSH; 5' 11"; Junior

#9 Dani Chase: DS/Libero; 5' 8"; Junior

#17 Shekinah Clarke: OH; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#4 Fia Faa'agi: OH; 6' 1"; Sophomore

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

#10 Mandy Martincich: MB/OH; 6' 0"; Sophomore

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

#7 Stefani Nell: OH; 5' 9"; Junior

#18 Holly Randall: MB; 6' 3"; Junior

#13 Manon Soraru: MB; 6' 0"; Junior

#1 Michelle Krenowicz: S; 5' 5"; Freshman

#11 Marijana Bjelobrk: RSH; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#8 Caitlin Chamness
: 5' 11"; Junior
: RSH

#9 Dani Chase
: 5' 8"; Junior
: DS/Libero

#17 Shekinah Clarke
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: OH

#4 Fia Faa'agi
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: OH

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

#10 Mandy Martincich
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MB/OH

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

#7 Stefani Nell
: 5' 9"; Junior
: OH

#18 Holly Randall
: 6' 3"; Junior
: MB

#13 Manon Soraru
: 6' 0"; Junior
: MB

#1 Michelle Krenowicz
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: S

#11 Marijana Bjelobrk
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: RSH