Muhlenberg College Athletics

Cross country preview

The members of the Muhlenberg volleyball team had a similar reaction when they walked into repainted Memorial Hall for the first time last week.

“Oh, we loved it!” said senior Brooke McQueen. “We were in total shock at how great it looks. It was such a great improvement – we all think it brightens up the room so much.”

And as they started practicing, what the players saw on the

Price is ninth in program with 180 career blocks and has ranked in the top 15 in the CC in blocks the last three years.

Muhlenberg had only nine players at the start of last year and played several matches with only seven

McQueen (left) and Gordon were two of four Mules with at least 200 digs last season.

“We’re feeling really good about the season,” said McQueen. “The freshmen doubled our team and they really came here to work. In practice we can actually scrimmage, instead of only playing one side of the net. That team competitiveness has already helped us in practice and will help us prepare for matches.”

McQueen is one of three seniors on what is still a very young team with no juniors. The defensive specialist saw her most extensive action last year and led the team, ranking 11th in the Centennial Conference, in digs per set.

Third-year captain Jackie Price returns in the middle as the Mules’ active leader in career kills and blocks. Davi Gordon, the other senior, was an All-CC second-team choice as a freshman and could be the team’s go-to hitter on the right side.

Among the sophomores, Morgan Duggan is back to run the offense after starting at setter last year. Powerful outside hitter Laurainne Ojo-Ohikuare was third on the team in kills, while Erica Wenzel was one of Muhlenberg’s top back-row players, leading the team in total digs. Standing 6-3, Ellen Rich is the tallest player on the team and will look to continue to provide solid blocking.

The freshmen will see their share of playing time, and just as Memorial Hall is still getting touched up, the volleyball team is certain to be a “work in progress” with so many new players on the court together.

“One of the things we learned from our scrimmage is we need to minimize our own errors,” said McQueen. “Once we start controlling the game the way we can we’ll be a lot better. We’re also focusing on communication. Last year with the personalities we had on the court, sometimes we were quiet and that brought us to a lull. With the freshmen and the energy they bring, hopefully we can be more vocal.”

And if everything falls into place, there will be plenty to be vocal about.

“The ball is starting to roll now,” said McQueen. “It’s not going to be easy, but if we play good Muhlenberg volleyball we can make it to the conference playoffs.”