by Caitlin Jefferson '22
Senior outside hitter Jordan Brandt (Vail, Colo./Battle Mountain) of the Ohio Wesleyan volleyball team broke school and North Coast Athletic Conference records recently, scoring 13 service aces in a 4-set match against Alma College.
The previous record at Ohio Wesleyan was 9 aces, set in 1992, and the previous NCAC standard was 12 aces, set in 2004.
"I have not been serving that much this season so far, but there was a point when I realized I had scored a lot of aces during the match," said Brandt.
Brandt never thought much of her aces during the match, but as she reflected back, she realized she was not having to play much defense because she kept scoring off of her serves.
She approached head coach Kirsta Cobb following the match and Cobb told Brandt they should check the match stats since Brandt had scored so many aces.
"Coach said I did really well serving in the match and we looked it up, and sure enough it said I scored 13 aces," said Brandt. "She told me I broke the conference record and the Ohio Wesleyan record."
"Jordan is a strong server because she can elevate herself and get a good trajectory on her serve with a fast arm swing and lots of speed," said Cobb. "Her contact point is critical for her when serving."
Brandt thinks of being consistent behind the service line and does not think about the need to get an ace each time she serves.
"I try to make serving something I am good at, but I have never considered serving as my strongest suit in volleyball," said Brandt.
Cobb considers her a strong 'go-to' server on the team.
"There are times when you are in the zone and really in touch with the game and she was in that zone where special performances happen," said Cobb.
The volleyball team takes the court again on Wednesday at Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati.
