2021 VOLLEYBALL OUTLOOK: UPWARD TRENDING SCOTS LOOKING TO BATTLE FOR TOP SPOTS IN NCAC

The College of Wooster volleyball team has high hopes entering the 2021 season and the Fighting Scots are looking to continue the upward trajectory within the parity-filled North Coast Athletic Conference. During its last full season, Wooster placed fifth, marking the program's top conference finish since 2012.

"We have a lot of talent coming back and a lot of experience in our upperclassmen," shared veteran head coach Sarah Davis. "One of the things that's really exciting about this year is our depth and the great energy that brings to the gym. We have many players who can fit into many different positions, giving us a lot of good options for the six who end up on the court."

Junior Hayley Nash, the program's first rookie to be a first-team All-NCAC selection, headlines the returnees. In 2019, Nash became the fifth Fighting Scot in the current scoring era to have 300 kills in a season, and the six-rotation player averaged over three digs per set.

"Any time you have a returning first-team all-conference player, it's really exciting," shared Davis. "Hayley is a true six-rotation player. She defends well and serve receives well. She leads our attack with her crafty shots and ability to score."

Experience is the theme up front, where seniors Katie Billetdeaux and Brooke Swain project to anchor the middle. Billetdeaux's "especially hungry to get back out there and play," per Davis, and "has the most (collegiate) experience of any of our hitters on the team. Swain, coming off a record-setting and all-conference spring with the softball team, is "really poised to have another breakout season, this time on the volleyball court," according to Davis.

Elsewhere, sophomore Caroline Dillard gives Davis versatility all across the front, while among the other returnees, sophomore Troy Johnson brings "strong blocking and a really good sense for the ball," per Davis. On the pins, senior Seven Townsel has emerged as a multi-dimensional player and has "transitioned from a defensive player to an attacker and defender," according to Davis, while junior Emily Gail "has experience hitting on either pin for us and has shown great leadership thus far in the preseason."

Wooster has a unique addition to the program in senior Syd Case. Prior to Case's academic journey bringing her to Wooster, she was the Summit League Setter and Newcomer of the Year in 2018 at NCAA Div. I University of Nebraska-Omaha and she was a second-team Div. II Conference Commissioner's Association all-region honoree at Eckerd College in 2019.

"Syd spent time giving back to the team in a student coaching role last year and we're excited for her to get back on the court, enjoy playing again, and have a senior season during her time at Wooster," said Davis. "Syd is a very technical setter and brings a very high volleyball IQ. She's done a good job mentoring the younger players."

Two other versatile returnees include junior Maley Tinstman and sophomore Ty Thompson, who add a lot of depth to the setter position. Tinstman's other contributions come as a defender, while Thompson's are up from as an outside hitter. Both have been "providing strong leadership to the team," according to Davis.

"Depth" surrounds the libero and defensive positions, according to Davis, who is very "excited" to have junior Chloe Filippa Batoudaki back after spending last year in her home country, Cyprus. Junior Sydney Fitzcharles is coming off an injury, but "brings a lot of experience to the position," according to Davis, and she was the starting libero in 2019.

Sophomores Trinity Harmon, Ellie Stroke, and Ainsley Wiesner round out the returnees, while nine first-years joined the program this fall.

"We once again welcomed a large first-year class, reminiscent of the 2019 senior class that also had nine incoming players," added Davis. "They'll provide us with a lot of stability for the future of Wooster volleyball."

Wooster opens its season against John Carroll University at home at 7 p.m. on September 1. The program hosts its annual Ginny Hunt Kilt Classic September 17-18, while NCAC play starts on September 24 at Ohio Wesleyan University.

"We really think this year may be a special year," shared Davis. "We scheduled tough and want to be prepared for the conference schedule. Playing a lot of the top teams in Ohio and in the region will prepare us well for the NCAC. There's a lot of parity in the NCAC. There's a lot of teams who can be in those top spots, and I like our chances to be one of them."

Davis is assisted by alumnae Taylor Mathews and Lydia Spidell, who do a "great job mentoring the young players and helping the older ones succeed."