Last year, the Ohio Wesleyan volleyball team reeled off 5 straight North Coast Athletic Conference wins, but a second-place finish in the league standings and an upset loss in the semifinals of the NCAC tournament left the Bishops and head coach Kirsta Cobb looking to bounce back and improve.

"We have a great foundation with some great returnees, some experience, and a very positive, strong culture," Cobb said.  "Our strong freshman class is coming into the fold really nicely and quickly, and a tough schedule will test us and help us grow.  We're starting in a great place, but finding our system and how we operate on the floor together will take some time."

The Bishops return a pair of first-team all-conference selections from last year's team.

Senior middle blocker Claire Solberg (Huron) was an honorable mention All-America selection last year after leading the NCAC in blocks per set (0.90) and hitting percentage (.340).

Sophomore outside hitter Natalie Dieball (Cincinnati/Lakota East) was the NCAC Newcomer of the Year last season after leading the league in points per set (3.70) and ranking second in kills per set (3.09).

Also back in the middle are junior Reagan Brake (McPherson, Kan./Inman), whose average of 0.62 blocks per set ranked second on the team last season; senior Ava Kutilek (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier), who was an honorable mention All-NCAC pick in 2021 after leading the league in block assists; and sophomore Kaniya Johnson (Columbus/Westerville North).  Freshman Jordanne Shannon (Detroit, Mich./West Bloomfield) and freshman Ella Vansteenkiste (Bryan) each were all-league honorees in high school.

On the outside, sophomore Jada Colvin (Cleveland/Mayfield), sophomore Mason Campbell (Pickerington/Central), and junior Gracelyn Mathias (Apple Creek/Waynedale) are back.  Freshman Megan Lantis (Wooster), an all-district selection in high school; and freshman Lexi Manly (Westerville/North), an all-conference pick in high school; also look to contribute.

Senior Grace Cummings (Columbus/Worthington Kilbourne) averaged 1.68 kills per set on the right side in 2023, and sophomore Lindsey Mayor (Groveland, Fla./South Lake) also returns.  Shannon also could see time on the right side.

Running the offense is junior setter Lily Bechina (Chicago, Ill./Jones College Prep), who averaged 4.79 assists per set in the Bishops' 2-setter offense last year.  Bechina was named the NCAC Newcomer of the Year and a third-team all-conference honoree in 2022 after ranking second in the league in assists (9.30/set).  Sophomore Jenna Ashbrook (Johnstown/Johnstown-Monroe) will be a contributor as well.

On defense, junior Bella Guzzetta (Boca Raton, Fla./Spanish River) and sophomore Avery Krause (Cleveland/Holy Name) return, with freshman Sarah Thomas (Columbus/Bishop Watterson) also in the picture.

The Bishops open at the Puerto Rico Clasico Tournament on Aug. 31-Sept. 1, highlighted by a match against 20th-ranked North Park.  The NCAA/MIAA Crossover includes matches against second-ranked Hope and 18th-ranked Calvin.  Ohio Wesleyan opens its home schedule with the annual Bishop Invitational on Sept. 12-14, facing Texas Lutheran, Heidelberg, Wisconsin-Platteville, and Case Reserve.  The NCAC schedule begins on Sept. 28 at perennial power Wittenberg and wraps up against Hiram on Nov. 2, and the NCAC tournament is scheduled for Nov. 12-16.