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Contact: Louis Groce, Graduate Assistant to the Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
After tying for second in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) standings a season ago, the North Central College volleyball team has been slotted for a third place finish this season in the annual CCIW Preseason Head Coaches' Poll. With a strong core of young players returning, including all-conference selections Laura Kluk and Kedryn Orrison, the Cardinals are aiming to reach the conference tournament for a sixth consecutive season.
"We had a good run last year. I think this season is going to be really dependent on if we can come up with a cohesive lineup," said head coach Karen Bunkenburg. "We can contend to be in the top-three, top-four in the conference, but right now it's going to be about finding the right lineup."
The Cardinals will lean on a talented and experienced group of sophomores in 2013, led by Kluk, the 2012 CCIW Freshman of the Year and a Second Team All-CCIW selection. Amanda Walker and Amanda Hilmer are two other sophomores that saw significant time last season. Walker played in 33 matches last season and contributed 151 kills, while Hilmer played in in 30 matches and was third on the team with 240 kills.
"We're trying to keep Amanda Hilmer healthy," Bunkenburg said. "She had some leg issues at the end of last year and we are still dealing with some of them now. Walker is looking good. She is strong, aggressive, and is a really good athlete."
Orrison, an Honorable Mention All-CCIW pick in 2012 after finishing the season with 261 kills, is a versatile athlete that the coaching staff may move around a after she primarily played the middle last season.
With senior leader Jenae Harner departing, new challenges for libero Sarah Eggert and defensive specialist Jessie Fiala have presented themselves after playing with Harner for multiple seasons.
"Not having Jenae in serve receive this year will be a big adjustment for Sarah and Jessie," noted Bunkenburg. "They must get used to someone new passing to them and especially in serve receive. That is the tricky thing."
After seeing limited action last season, Casey Green is looking to provide even more punch from the right side. Also competing for playing time are AnnMarie Bachmann, Annie Wegrzyn, Brittany Tickner, and transfer student Amy Hermle, who sat out last season.
North Central also welcomes a strong freshman class headlined by Danielle Williams and Sara Kott.
"Danielle will help us out somewhere," said Bunkenburg. " She's a utility type player. She can play right side, outside, and set a little bit so we think she will factor in the mix somewhere at this point."
Bunkenburg also had high praise for Kott. "She has shown some good stuff in the preseason and I think she will help push our middles."
The Cardinals season gets underway on Friday when they head to the Kalmazoo College Green Hornet Invitational to face Anderson University at 7:00 p.m. (ET). North Central opens up CCIW play on Sept. 24 at home against No. 4-ranked Elmhurst College. The Cardinals will also host the annual Tiffany Robinson Memorial Tournament on Oct. 11-12 at Merner Field House.
