The Ohio Wesleyan volleyball team tied for third place in the North Coast Athletic Conference standings in 2021, and head coach Kirsta Cobb looks to improve upon that mark in 2022.

"Our overall goal is to play bold and fearless," Cobb said.  "We really want to get into our offensive rhythm quickly and play into the personality we want our team to have, and continue to expand our defensive systems since we have a lot of returnees."

The Bishops return much of the front line from last year's squad.

Senior Eliza Richardson (Lakewood) and junior Melissa Murray (Chardon/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) will see time at both the left and right sides.  Both were All-NCAC choices last year, Murray garnering second-team laurels after ranking 13th in the league in kills and 14th in points scored, and Richardson receiving honorable mention recognition after ranking sixth in the league in kills average and 10th in points scored.  Sophomore Natalie Buravlov (Aurora, Colo./Grandview), who emerged as the 2021 season progressed, also will see time at both left and right sides.

Junior Kaitlyn Peters (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead), who averaged 1.61 kills per set a year ago, is back on the left side, and freshman Gracelyn Mathias (Apple Creek/Waynedale), an all-district selection in high school, also looks to contribute on the left side.  Sophomore Grace Cummings (Columbus/Worthington Kilbourne) returns on the right side.

In the middle, sophomore Ava Kutilek (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) and sophomore Claire Solberg (Huron) are back.  Kutilek was an honorable mention All-NCAC pick after leading the league in block assists and tying for fourth in total blocks, while Solberg ranked fourth in the conference in block assists and tied for fourth in total blocks last season.

Junior Mila Noel (Delray Beach, Fla./St. John Paul II Academy) and sophomore Stephanie Marquardt (Cleveland/Parma Padua Franciscan) are back, sophomore Rachel Peters (Copley) missed the 2021 season and looks to make her collegiate debut this fall, and freshman Reagan Brake (McPherson, Kan./Inman), a second-team all-state choice in high school, seeks to make an impact.

Junior setter Abby Thierauf (Cincinnati/Milford) and sophomore setter Olivia Osuna (Orlando, Fla./Phillips) again will run the Bishop offense.  Thierauf was fifth in the NCAC in assists last season, while Osuna ranked 12th in the conference in assists.

Freshman Lily Bechina (Chicago, Ill./Jones College Prep), who helped her high school team to 4 city runner-up finishes, will be a contributor as well.

On defense, junior Neah White (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) tied for sixth in the NCAC in digs last season.  Freshman Bella Guzzetta (Boca Raton, Fla./Spanish River) also looks to contribute.

The Bishops open at 17th-ranked Otterbein on Sept. 1, then take on 23rd-ranked Ohio Northern on Sept. 6.  The NCAA/MIAA Challenge includes matches against third-ranked Calvin and 10th-ranked Hope.  The annual Bishop Invitational, set for Sept. 16-17, welcomes Anderson, Trine, and Bethany to Branch Rickey Arena.  The NCAC schedule beigns on Sept. 24 against Hiram and wraps up against Kenyon on Oct. 26.  The NCAC tournament is scheduled for Nov. 4-5.