Volleyball 8/28/2018 3:42:00 PM

Stars bring revamped team into season

Restrepo has guided teams to eight NCAA Tournament trips

Oklahoma City University will feature several new faces in its volleyball program.
The Stars will be under the guidance of new coach Santiago Restrepo in the 2018 campaign. Restrepo went to work reloading Oklahoma City's roster after graduating many student-athletes off last year's team.
OCU returns Marijana Bjelobrk, a two-time first-team all-Sooner Athletic Conference and American Volleyball Coaches Association all-South Central Region performer, and Lacy Beeler, who ranked fourth on the team in kills last year.
The Stars will also rely on Taylor Horton, Michelle Krenowicz and Ella Lofton to lend experience and leadership to the team.
Oklahoma City begin the season 7:30 p.m. Thursday against league foe John Brown (Ark.) at Abe Lemons Arena. OCU was set to open the season Tuesday against Bacone, but the Stars gained a forfeit win since Bacone has elected not to field a volleyball team this year.
"The returners have to be great leaders and great captains and make everybody comfortable when there are so many freshmen and newcomers," said Restrepo, who boasted of a 368-261 record in 20 years coaching entering the season. "They have to be able to perform, guide and be role models. They have to be our main point producers."
Bjelobrk, a junior right-side hitter from Belgrade, Serbia, produced 3.38 kills, 1.04 digs, 0.51 blocks and 3.64 points a set in 2017. Bjelobrk collected honorable-mention NAIA all-American acclaim as a freshman. Beeler, a sophomore outside hitter from Jenks, Okla., supplied the Stars with 1.99 kills, 0.56 digs, 0.54 blocks and 2.29 points per set a year ago.
Take a closer look at the Stars:

Outside hitter/right-side hitter

Lofton, a sophomore from Cedar Park, Texas, will vie for a larger role alongside Beeler and Bjelobrk this season.
Hanna Nicholson, a junior from Choctaw, Okla., contributed to two national-tournament teams at Columbia (Mo.). Catelyn Vargas, a freshman from Lubbock, Texas, made her all-district team as a high school senior.

Middle blocker

Laurel Church could push for more postseason honors for OCU. Church, a senior from Moore, Okla., reeled in three all-SAC nods with Mid-America Christian.
Kenady Bertling, a freshman from Baytown, Texas, became a two-time all-district performer as a prep student-athlete. Olivia Nutter, a freshman from Plano, Texas, figures to supply depth for the Stars.

Setter

Horton, a sophomore from Edmond, Okla., earned valuable experience with last year's team.
Ali Horton is Taylor Horton's sister. Horton, a freshman from Edmond, Okla., earned all-state recognition with Oklahoma Christian School. Sophia Salak brings her 5-foot-10 height and a big serve. Salak, a freshman from McKinney, Texas, took academic all-district honors during her prep days.
"They are like quarterbacks in football," Restrepo said of his setters. "They have a lot of their shoulders. They have to know how to set different tempos."

Libero/defensive specialist

Krenowicz, a junior from Frisco, Texas, has contributed to the Stars with her defense and serving ability.
Caitlin Bosarge brings college experience to the back row. Bosarge, a sophomore from Mustang, Okla., grabbed all-conference honors for Frank Phillips (Texas) as a freshman. Isabel Harwell, a freshman from Edmond, Okla., collected conference defensive player of the year, all-state and all-city honors at Edmond North.
Lauren Hermes owns the most experience playing college volleyball among the team's back row candidates. Hermes, a junior from The Colony, Texas, made all-conference at Midland (Texas). Erin McBriarty, a freshman from Grayslake, Ill., became known for her reliable defense and serve in high school.

SAC coaches put OCU atop the league's predicted order of finish for the third consecutive year along with Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas). The Stars have won the past two conference regular-season and tournament titles. Restrepo has focused his team on more intangible goals.
"We want to work on every single point as hard as they could," Restrepo said. "To be a great teammate and take care of each other, and to be the best team and have the best team chemistry."

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Players Mentioned

#2 Lacy Beeler: OH; 6' 0"; Sophomore

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

#10 Taylor Horton: S; 5' 11"; Sophomore

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

#4 Ella Lofton: OH; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#12 Sophia Salak: S; 5' 10"; Freshman

#19 Erin McBriarty: S; 5' 4"; Freshman

#18 Olivia Nutter: MB; 5' 11"; Freshman

#22 Catelyn Vargas: OH; 5' 10"; Freshman

#17 Hanna Nicholson: RSH/OH; 5' 10"; Junior

#15 Kenady Bertling: MB; 6' 1"; Freshman

#5 Isabel Harwell: DS/Libero; 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#2 Lacy Beeler
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: OH

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

#10 Taylor Horton
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: S

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

#4 Ella Lofton
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: OH

#12 Sophia Salak
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: S

#19 Erin McBriarty
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: S

#18 Olivia Nutter
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: MB

#22 Catelyn Vargas
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: OH

#17 Hanna Nicholson
: 5' 10"; Junior
: RSH/OH

#15 Kenady Bertling
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: MB

#5 Isabel Harwell
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: DS/Libero