Senior Megan Mey is part of a highly-talented quartet of seniors, has upper her on-court contributions each season, and will look to build on a junior season that saw her average 1.29 kills per set.

The College of Wooster volleyball team returns 15 letterwinners from a season ago, including a core quartet of seniors – Anna Emmick, Megan Mey, Laura Sherer, and Lydia Webster – who all enter their fourth year with the program in 2016.

"We're really excited to have four strong seniors on our team that have a wealth of volleyball experience," said Sarah Davis, who enters her 10th year as the head coach. They've contributed since their freshmen year, and some are four-year starters. They're a group that has a lot of big goals, and have stuck together. The seniors really work well together, and we feel this class has the capability to be really positive leaders for the team."

"It's a really exciting time for Wooster volleyball," continued Davis, who has four starters plus her 2015 libero back in the fold for this season. This is the most returning letterwinners we've had in my time with the program. We have some very experienced and good players."

While the team features big-time potential at every position, the defensive specialists could perhaps provide the extra spark of energy to kick-start the other facets of the game.

"Our group of four defenders represents one of the biggest strengths of Wooster volleyball," commented Davis, when highlighting the back row. "There is a high level of camaraderie, intensity, and athleticism that they bring to the program. They bring a 'never say die' attitude to defense. You'll see all four of them competing for spots."

Rising sophomore Gabrielle Basinski could once again be a key vocal leader of the back row. Last year, Basinski earned the starting libero role and averaged 5.13 digs per set, a mark that ranked third in the highly-competitive North Coast Athletic Conference. The Amherst, Ohio native dug right in recording double-digit digs in nine of her first 10 collegiate matches.

Sherer, one of the veteran leaders on the team, and sophomore Jordan Murray compliment Basinski in the back row, and averaged 2.20 and 2.19 digs per set respectively last year. Sophomore Eva Stebel could also see time in the back row after spending her freshman year splitting time between middle blocker and outside hitter.

Davis also has plenty of options at middle, outside, and right-side hitter this year.

"We have a lot of match experience returning among our middle hitters," added Davis. "Our outside hitters are really crafty, and will be strong out of system. They have the ability to hit from multiple locations on the net. Our right-side hitters possess more height than we've had in the past, and we're really excited about their blocking ability. We have a lot of really versatile players amongst our hitters."

Emmick and Webster will look to lead the way in the middle. Emmick, who enters the year 10th on the program's all-time block list (217), had a team-leading 88 swats last year, and had four matches with six or more blocks. Webster, who has the ability to contribute at a multitude of positions, has led the team in kills in each of the past two years, and has recorded over 200 kills in all three seasons.

Sophomore Marija Cyvas, who showed great potential before suffering a season-ending injury early in the season, and classmate Ashley Plassard, who had a strong end to the season, give Davis plenty of returning depth in the middle, and both could potentially compete for time at right-side.

Junior Ksenia Klue emerged late last season as one of the likely leaders on the outside. The Medina, Ohio native averaged 2.5 kills per set over the final 11 matches, and kick-started that stretch with a double-double against Allegheny College.

Mey was also a solid contributor splitting time between the outside and right-side last year. She averaged 1.29 kills per set last year. Sophomores Eleri Miller and McKenzie Reese could also factor in on the outside in 2016.

On the right-side, sophomore Rachel Topper (32 kills, 11 blocks), and junior Mayia Karagianni (53 kills, 25 blocks in 2014) give Davis two left-handed options.

One spot to keep an eye on this year is the setter position. While Davis does have three student-athletes listed at that position on the roster, none have any match experience as a Wooster student-athlete.

"Our setters have a lot of potential," explained Davis, and all will be new. They've never run the Wooster floor (in a regular-season match), and our success will be determined on how well they can adjust to our system."

Sophomore Erin Rajewski is the lone setter on the roster who was on the team last year, but did not play due to a preseason injury, while junior transfer Taylor Mathews and first-year Kyana Harris will also compete for time at setter.

Other first-years on the team that could push for time in numerous roles are: Anna Medema, Cami Miller, Erica Roberts, and Marina Roski.

Wooster plays 11 home matches this year, headlined by the Ginny Hunt Kilt Classic that will take place as part of Black & Gold Weekend (Sept. 16-17).