The Owens Community College women’s volleyball program will open its 2011 season with a tournament Aug. 26-27 at Columbus State Community College in Columbus.

Local first-year players to the women’s volleyball program are outside hitter Alyssa Meis (Genoa), defensive specialist Brandi Schimming (Genoa) and outside hitter Whitney Hoodlebrink (Eastwood).

Owens is led by Coach Sonny Lewis. Last year, Lewis led the Express to 42 wins. Lewis’ assistant coaches are Denny Caldwell and Alison Mugler.

Alyssa Meis	Whitney Hoodlebrink	Brandi Schimming

The Express will open its home campaign by hosting the Owens Express Invitational Sept. 2-4. The Express women’s volleyball program ended their 2010 season with a 42-9 overall record and finished 11-1 (first place) in the OCCAC regular season standings. Owens has now won 10 out of the last 11 OCCAC regular season championships. Coach Lewis’ squad also was ranked No. 11 in the final NJCAA Division II volleyball regular season poll.

In addition, Owens’ volleyball team advanced to its second NJCAA Division II National Championship tournament where they finished 11th among 16 participating intercollegiate teams. The Express also participated in five D-III national tournaments and finished third in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

“This year’s Owens Express volleyball team is extremely talented,” said Lewis “We have six veteran returners who have a lot of experience and played at a very high level last season. Our incoming freshmen class is very talented at each skill position. The potential is there for this group to compete for a national title. However, team chemistry will be very important and we must be committed to improving each and every day we set foot on the court.”

The Express have six players returning from last season’s team, including NJCAA Division II Second Team All-American selection Brittany Egbert (Hopewell-Loudon). In 2010, the sophomore middle blocker led the team with 520 kills, 161 blocks and 81 aces. Her postseason accolades also included being OCCAC Player of the Year, team Most Valuable Player and several NJCAA All-Region XII awards.

Lewis’ squad also returns Ellie Comes (Sylvania Southview), Erin Schatzle (Monroe, Mich.) and Allison Seifker (Monroeville).

Comes, a sophomore defensive specialist, recorded 43 aces and 942 digs. Additionally, Comes was named the team’s Defensive Most Valuable Player and earned OCCAC All-Conference First Team and NJCAA All-Region XII Team honors.

Schatzle is a sophomore setter and outside hitter and recorded 213 kills, 929 assists and 46 aces for the Express in 2010. She was an OCCAC All-Conference First Team, NJCAA All-Region XII Tournament Team and OCCAC Academic All-Conference selection.

Seifker is a sophomore outside hitter. She recorded 237 kills and 71 blocks last year. Seifker also earned OCCAC All-Conference First Team honors.

Additionally, returners include Alyssa Pelish and Julia Haupricht, both from Central Catholic. Pelish is a sophomore defensive specialist and recorded 272 digs and 24 aces last season for Owens. Her postseason honors included being named the team’s Most Improved Player award recipient. Haupricht, a sophomore outside hitter and middle blocker, recorded 251 kills and 97 blocks in 2010.

Other first-year players are setter Molly Hilfinger (Anthony Wayne); middle blocker and outside hitter Emily Crowell (Rockford Parkway), and middle blocker Bethany Critchley (Toledo Christian).

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