Under the guidance of first-year head coach Troy Campbell, the Concordia-Chicago volleyball team looks to battle through a challenging, competitive schedule and impact the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference standings.
           
While 10 of the 18 players are new to the Cougar program, Campbell notes that the formation of team chemistry was not an obstacle. "It has been amazing to see how quickly this group came together and supported each other. The importance of establishing a new volleyball culture here was a priority to everyone, and I think that the way they went about it speaks to the character of the players we have."
           
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
The undisputed leader of this year's team is its lone senior, Meghan O'Hara (Sheffield Village, OH/Lutheran West). While Campbell points to O'Hara's work ethic and willingness to lead by example, her experience is another key to a successful campaign for the Cougars. "Whenever you have a situation like ours where so many people are new, myself included, it is very important to have someone like Meghan that has been around the program and can help through the transition," says Campbell. "She has the respect of everyone on the team, and will be central to what we do this season."

Three newcomers will also look to make their mark on the program. Campbell assesses the trio: "Austin Thompson (Morris, IL/Morris Community) has the height (6'0"), experience and intelligence for the position along with a very physical presence at the net. Beth Johnson (LaPorte, IN/New Prairie) is also an experienced player and has a lot of familiarity with my system. Anna Kellar (Collinsville, IL/Metro-East Lutheran) has been the surprise of our preseason and has shown a lot of athleticism. I think that all three have the chance for a lot of success in our program."
 
OUTSIDE HITTERS
A mix of new and returning talent will give Campbell some options on the outside. The newcomers are Kaylyn Anderson (East Chicago, IN/Whiting) and Mary Arredia (Franklin Park, IL/West Leyden). "Kaylyn is very skilled in all areas of the game," states Campbell. "She is a very physical player and has a high volleyball IQ. Mary is a transfer from Triton College who has what I call a 'heavy arm' – she can really unload on the ball. Mary also brings a lot of athleticism to the team."
           
Returning from last year's team are sophomores Katie Hannon (Chicago, IL/Queen of Peace), Olivia Friedrichs (San Diego, CA/Clairemont) and Jasmine Cawley (St. Louis, MO/Lutheran South)."Katie had a good first season (103 kills, 153 digs) and has the versatility to help us on both offense and defense. She is dealing with an injury at the moment but we hope to have her back into the lineup very soon," states Campbell. "Olivia has good jumping ability and will see some time on the outside. She is also a good passer who we will utilize in the back. Jasmine has a good feel for the position and just needs experience to develop her game."
 
OPPOSITE SIDE HITTER
Raven Burns (Shorewood, IL/Minooka Community) will look to assume a full-time role after seeing action in 24 matches her freshman year. Campbell notes that "Raven has done a great job readying herself for an expanded role. She could be an impact player for us this season, our X factor."
           
Sophomore Cortney Kugath (Belvidere, IL/H.S.) joins the program this year and will provide support at both opposite side hitter and setter. Campbell notes that "Cortney has a fantastic work rate and has shown herself to be a tremendous asset in our blocking game."
 
SETTERS
The Cougars' 5-1 offense is expected to run through newcomer Jackie Bartnicki (Chicago, IL/Guerin Prep). Campbell calls the transfer from the College of DuPage "a great addition to our team" and adds that "her natural ability as a quality setter will show itself as she gets more comfortable in working with our hitters." Freshman Heather Henderson (Frazier Park, CA/Frazier Mountain) and Kugath will provide depth, with Campbell saying of Henderson, "Heather has great hands and is working hard to learn the college game. She is a solid player who only needs experience."
 
 
LIBEROS/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
Coach Campbell began the preseason with a long list of potential candidates for the libero position. Halfway through preseason, junior Angela Hennig (Springfield, IL/Springfield Lutheran) and freshman Allison Back (LaPorte, IN/Marquette Catholic) have emerged as the top candidates. "Angela is a hard worker with a great attitude and non-stop energy. She has the short memory that any libero needs to have and is always ready for the next play. Allison has impressive quickness and is very positive. I've been impressed with how much she is mentally under control on the floor."

Looking to solidify the Cougars' back row are junior Brittany Schuld (Chicago, IL/Walther Lutheran), sophomore Mary Umstattd (Phoenix, AZ/Westview) and freshman Hannah Johnson (Chesapeake, VA/Hickory). "All of the defensive specialists have been giving fantastic efforts," says Campbell. "Brittany's abilities will increase as she continues to put in the work and gain the experience. Mary works very hard, and we have seen the progression of her game in the early going. Hannah is a confident player; she was the first of our freshmen to dive in head-first and show that she wants to contribute to this team's success."
 
Campbell's early assessment of the team's strengths includes ball control, defense and serving. Of the latter, Campbell states that "my philosophy is that anyone should be capable of coming into a match and serving effectively. Some of our new players have really raised the bar with their serving abilities, and I foresee where we will be able to take more chances with our serving this year."
           
Team chemistry notwithstanding, Campbell notes that the team's playing style will take some time to evolve. "The fact is that we have several new hitters and a setter that need time to work with each other and adjust to each other's strengths," says Campbell. "We need to get experience in situational play and find out how we will react to adversity. How do we handle ourselves when the set is tied 23-23 – will we know how to make the key plays? Hopefully, we will find out a lot about ourselves over the first part of the season and use that to play at a consistent level down the stretch."
 
SCHEDULE
The Cougar women will open up the 2014 season Aug. 30 in Michigan as they take on the Concordias of Ann Arbor and Michigan. Two more weekend tournaments at Northland College in Wisconsin and DePauw University in Indiana, along with a stand-along Sept. 10 match at North Park University, will challenge the Cougars before they host their home and conference opener against Benedictine University on Sept. 16.

The team returns to the road for a weekend tournament at the University of Chicago (Sept. 26-27) and a couple of conference matches before CUC returns to Geiseman Oct. 4 for the first of three Saturday night matches, this one against MSOE. Edgewood College will invade CUC's floor the following Saturday as part of Concordia-Chicago's homecoming weekend.

Concordia then hits the road for NACC competition against Dominican University, Marian University and Lakeland College. The Cougars will then close out the conference regular season with home matches against Aurora University Oct. 22 and Alverno College Oct. 25. Conference tournament play will open on Tuesday, Nov. 4.