Oilers Volleyball Picked to Finish 3rd
The University of Findlay volleyball team was picked to finish third in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) South Division as the league office unveiled their yearly preseason coaches poll on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
The Oilers recorded a total of 33 points in the poll and trailed Ashland University and Wayne State University in the poll. The Eagles accumulated 47 points and five first place votes while the Warriors scored 44 points to go along with three first place votes.
Northwood University is the favorite to win the North Division as they received 45 points and five first place votes.
The Oilers finished last season with a 14-17 mark, qualifying for the GLIAC Tournament for the first time since 2007. They finished fourth in the South Division with a 10-8 record and will look to improve upon their record in 2013.
Senior Danielle Taflinger returns to lead the team after becoming the Oilers first volleyball player to earn NCAA Division II All-American honors. The Lima, Ohio native achieved honorable mention status from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) last season in addition to being named first team all-conference and first team all-region.
During her junior season, Taflinger led the team with 310 kills and a .352 hitting percentage. She also had 108 total blocks and 31 digs during her third season with the Oilers.
Heading into her final year, Taflinger is the career record holder for hitting percentage (.348) and ranks 11th all-time in blocks (283).
The Oilers will also welcome back senior Mackenzie Vorst, who missed time last year with an injury, but was still named honorable mention all-conference.
Vorst tallied 210 kills, 135 digs and 37 total blocks in 21 matches before the injury cut her season short.
Junior Samantha Granger and sophomore Lindsy Reindel also return after having successful seasons with 193 and 139 kills, respectively.
Junior Amanda Calhoun is also back to serve as the Oilers setter as she totaled 1,059 assists and 259 digs as a sophomore.
Defensively, the Oilers return a number of able bodies in sophomore Becca Shoemaker, senior Jacqui Endre and senior Brittany Hall. Shoemaker led the team with 309 digs while Endre and Hall recorded 274 and 260 digs, respectively.
Sophomore Julie Lyons, who racked up 38 kills in 36 sets, will also return to the team along with a host of newcomers who are expected to earn valuable playing time for the Oilers in 2013.