Volleyball earns first AVCA preseason national ranking since 1995

ORANGE, Calif. – For the first time in 18 years, the Chapman University women's volleyball team has cracked the top 25 in the AVCA Division III Preseason Poll. The Panthers will enter the 2013 season ranked No. 18 in the nation, seeking to follow up a successful 2012 campaign with a third straight playoff appearance.

Expectations are high for head coach Mary Cahill's squad after they matched a Division III school record with 24 wins last season before losing in the second round of the Division III West Regionals to the University of Puget Sound (WA). The Panthers excelled in conference play, posting a 14-2 SCIAC record while nearly going undefeated at home, compiling a 9-1 record at the Hutton Sports Center.

Despite the departure of Ashleigh Gideon and Kate Ferrin, Cahill will display a roster that features 10 returning players, including three All-SCIAC players in senior libero Carleigh Mueller, junior MB Val Geiger and senior S Corrine Ostrovsky.

Mueller, who also earned AVCA All-West Region honorable mention, recorded 556 digs and averaged 5.3 digs per set, which ranked second in the SCIAC last season. In addition, she tied for the team lead with 28 service aces.

As the centerpiece to the Panthers' offense, Ostrovsky led all of Division III with 11.74 assists per set. She set a school record with 1,315 assists while playing in all 112 sets, collecting over 300 digs for the first time in her career.

Meanwhile, Geiger, who was recognized by the AVCA with an All-American honorable mention, led the team in total blocks (57) and ranked second in kills with 352. As a sophomore, she ranked No. 24 in Division III in hitting percentage with a .364 mark

The Panthers' 2013 schedule features key matchups against nationally-ranked opponents, including an early-season rematch against No. 9 University of Puget Sound (Sept. 6) and two conference matchups against No. 10 Cal Lutheran (Oct. 4 and 29).

by Ryan Cavinder
Sports Information Assistant

Become a fan of Chapman Athletics on Facebook
Follow Chapman Athletics on Twitter @ChapmanSports

Post your #PantherPic to Instagram @ChapmanSports
#CUPanthers