Freshman Morgan Broderick

GOSHEN, Ind. – After completing last season undefeated at home, the Goshen College volleyball team continued their dominance at the Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center this season with another sweep Tuesday night.

The Maple Leafs improved to 2-0 early in the season with a 25-16, 25-13, 25-17 victory over Purdue University – Calumet in front of the Goshen faithful.

The last time Goshen lost at home was November 5, 2008 in the regular season finale against Spring Arbor University, bringing the Leafs home streak to 11 matches.

“Tonight the team played a good mental game,” second-year head coach Jim Routhier said.  “With all the freshman on the floor our seniors Peni, Alicia, and Brittany really do a wonderful job keeping everyone focused and relaxed on the court.  Their constant encouragement to the underclassmen is invaluable.”

Senior Peni Acayo (Kampala, Uganda) led the way hitting at a .333 clip for a match-high 15 kills.  As a team Goshen finished with 36 kills and a .247 hitting percentage.  Sophomore Hannah Grieser had another solid outing with six kills, while freshman setter dished out 18 assists.

On the defensive end, freshman Emily Waits had a match-high five blocks, including four solo.  Classmate Morgan Broderick led the Leafs with seven digs and also had six of Goshen’s 10 service aces.

“Hannah and Emily are getting better every match,” Routhier added.  “Peni is becoming as outstanding of a defensive player as she is an offensive player and Stacy is so athletic that she gets to and sets some balls that you never think are possible.”

The Leafs (2-0) head to Ohio Wesleyan University this weekend for a two-day tournament.

“With each game and match we are moving closer to our goals,” Routhier continued.  “One game at a time.  This weekend at Ohio Wesleyan we will be tested as to how good and focused we are.”

Freshman Emily Waits

GOSHEN, Ind. – There are some high expectations around the 2010 Goshen College volleyball team.

As the season opened Thursday night, the Maple Leafs did not disappoint, rattling off a 25-20, 25-18, 25-19 victory over visiting Marygrove College.  The contest marked the official opening of the fall sports season at Goshen College with the volleyball team the first to official open its 2010 campaign.

“We felt very good about our performance overall,” second-year head coach Jim Routhier said.  “They were greatly improved over last year’s team.  We still need to work on timing and defensive assignments, but overall Jen (Higley) and I were pleased with our play.”

Reigning Mid-Central College Conference Player of the Year Peni Acayo (Kampala, Uganda) led the team with 11 kills, while sophomore Hannah Grieser (Goshen, Ind.) had seven and freshman Emily Waits (Goshen, Ind.) tallied six in her collegiate debut.

The trio rotated taking the bulk of the offensive assault.  Grieser started things with five of her seven kills in the opening game, Acayo led the team with four in the second, and Waits tallied five of her six kills in the third.

Also in her collegiate debut, setter Stacy Wyse (Archbold, Ohio) racked up 21 assists and three service aces.  Senior Brittany Herschberger (Goshen, Ind.) added five kills and six digs for the Leafs.

Another first-year Maple Leaf, Morgan Broderick (Huntington, Ind.) led the team with 19 digs from the libero spot.

The freshman, Stacy, Morgan, and Emily did well and we see great potential in all three,” Routhier added.  “We will go back to work tomorrow and improve on some things, but overall it was a good opening match.”

Goshen is back in action on Tuesday (August 31) as they host Purdue University – Calumet.  They will then head on the road to the Ohio Wesleyan University Tournament September 3-4.

Freshman Jordin Ashburn got her first sets in a College match and she did well.  We will go back to work today and improove on sme thingfs, but overall it was a good opening match.

GOSHEN, Ind. – The dictionary describes mindset [mahynd-set] as ideas, dispositions, intentions, and/or attitudes with which a person or people approach a situation.

To what degree dispositions and attitudes affect the success of an athletic team is sometimes argued, but what cannot be debated is how a change in mindset has altered both the present and the future of the Goshen College volleyball program.

“That (mindset) was one of the biggest things we worked on last year,” says head coach Jim Routhier.  “When we (coaches) walked in here, we knew the potential, we knew that we could be at the championship level, but I don’t think it was until mid or late in the season that they (players) started believing that we could be there.”

That belief – along with a continued influx of talent – helped the Maple Leafs soar into their first-ever Mid-Central College Conference Tournament Championship match in 2009.  Despite dealing with a handful of injuries throughout the year, Goshen racked up a 17-16 mark and hosted a MCC postseason match for just the second time in the program’s history.

Now, the mindset continues to change as the Leafs look to reach new heights.

“This year, they are coming in with a totally different attitude,” Routhier explained.  “It is not us trying to convince them how good we can be, but its them saying ‘We are good, We can play at the top level, We have the potential.’  I have really seen the mindset change.”

The Maple Leafs have reason to be optimistic as they return several key components from last year to go with the largest and deepest recruiting class in program history.

Like the past three seasons, it will again start with reigning MCC Player of the Year Peni Acayo (Kampala, Uganda).  Acayo became the program’s first NAIA First Team All American last year after racking up 554 kills, 437 digs, 57 blocks, and 45 service aces.  Already the program record-holder in career and single season kills, Acayo looks to help the Leafs to another first, an NAIA National Championship appearance.

Also back for Goshen is senior Brittany Herschberger (Goshen, Ind.).  An all conference pick in 2008, Herschberger tallied 265 kills and 474 digs last year.  The Leafs also get six-foot ride side hitter Kate Yoder (Mason, Mich.) back from a knee injury to go with versatile and experienced returners like Alicia Schwartzentruber (Goshen, Ind.), Indy Miller (Colorado Springs, Colo.), and Hannah Grieser (Goshen, Ind.).

“This preseason we have gotten tremendous  leadership from three seniors who have played volleyball for many, many years,” Routhier added.  “Brittany (Herschberger) is very outspoken and very outgoing, and an outstanding floor leader, Peni is the type of leader you can follow, and Alicia is much more soft spoken, but they have all worked together working with the nine freshman to bring them into the college game.”

The biggest question mark for the Maple Leafs is how they will deal with the loss of all conference middle hitter Ashley Janssen.  Janssen graduated in the top 10 in program history in kills, including a career high 282 last season.

“Losing Ashley was tough as she was a seasoned veteran and we went to her a lot last year,” Routhier said.  “We have taken Hannah (Grieser) and moved her from outside to middle and she is really taken a hold of it.  We also have Emily (Waits) from a very strong Fairfield team that went down to state last year.  Both have done an outstanding job and I think we are going to be just fine.”

In addition to Waits, Routhier has a series of first year players who will make an immediate impact on the rotation including all state (Ohio) setter Stacy Wyse and athletic libero Morgan Broderick of Huntington North High School.

After a preseason which saw the Maple Leafs head to Florida for a week, the Maple Leafs officially start their 2010 campaign tomorrow night (Thursday).  Goshen hosts Marygrove College (Mich.) at 6 p.m.

“They have some of the most positive attitudes and work ethics I have ever been around,” continued Routhier.  “All these kids are really hard workers.  Not only did they do well gelling together in the preseason and we saw what their potential was, but they had a lot of fun.  They really enjoy each other’s company and I think it is going to be an outstanding championship season.”

On Friday, the Maple Leafs scrimmaged against St. John’s River Community College, a team which finished runner-up in the strong Mid-Florida Conference a year ago.  Goshen’s “A” team swept the Vikings’ varsity team 25-17, 25-15, and 15-9.  In a match up of each program’s “B” teams, Goshen and SJRCC split 17-25 and 25-2.

As Goshen Head Coach Jim Routhier looks to integrate nine first-year collegiate players to his roster, he continues to be excited with the progress of his team.

“I am very impressed withe the level of play that our freshman are showing,” the second-year head of the Maple Leafs said.  “When you replace both setters, both middle hitters, and a libero, it takes a bit of time to play together.  Our upperclassmen players are being true leaders and bringing the team along nicely.”

A day later, Goshen split its squad into a purple team and a white team as they played in a scrimmage jamboree.  The Leafs started the day against a Jacksonville area club team with the purple squad dropping games 20-25 and 21-25.  The white team also fell by a 12-25 count.

Immediately following the opening games, Goshen took on Florida State College where the purple team ran off victories of 25-21, 25-20, and 25-23.  They then made another appearance against St. John’s, which resulted in 25-19, 25-20, and 25-21 wins for the purple squad.  The white team fell to FSC 15-25 and split with SJRCC 25-20 and 13-25.

“The team is definitely on the road to making their bid for the top spot in the conference,” Routhier said as they team prepared to head back home to Goshen.  “This trip has not only gotten the team closer together and integrated the freshman to the level of college volleyball, but it has also gained Goshen College some awesome exposure to the area.”

Routhier said those the team have enjoyed hearing about and seeing the team from a “small Christian college in Northern Indiana.  They have been not only impressed with the level of play, but also the friendliness and positive attitude of our team.  The comment, ‘Your team looks like they are really enjoying volleyball’ is heard over and over.”

After flying back to Indiana on Sunday, the Maple Leafs continue their preparations for the 2010 Mid-Central College Conference season.  They kick things off with a non-conference tilt against Marygrove College (Mich.) on August 26.

Maple Leafs conditioning on the beach in Jacksonville.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – However useful and necessary, preseason conditioning is rarely a favorite activity of the student-athlete.

When combined with a beach-side setting on the Florida coast, though, does it become a little bittersweet?

Goshen College Head Volleyball coach Jim Routhier hopes it is a perfect combination for his Maple Leafs as they hope to repeat their run into the late stages of the 2009 Mid-Central College Conference tournament.

“The beach is wonderful, but the conditioning is tough,” the second-year head coach says.

While the conditioning – including sand runs and core workouts – are on the beach, the Leafs have also been hitting the gym at Florida State College – Jacksonville to prepare on the court.  While Goshen returns eight players from last year’s squad including NAIA First Team All American Peni Acayo, they also added 10 new players that Routhier hopes will lead them to the next level.

“The team is coming along nicely and there are some really bright spots among both the returning players and the freshman,” Routhier explained.  “Senior’s Peni (Acayo), Brittany (Herschberger), and Alicia (Schwartzentruber) are doing an outstanding job leading the team and helping integrate the freshman into college volleyball.”

A conditioning run on the sand

With just a few conditioning and practice sessions under their belts since arriving Monday, the Leafs got their first competitive action Wednesday night in an unscored scrimmage with host FSC-Jacksonville.  Again, Routhier was pleased and excited about the progress of both his veterans and newcomers.

“Our freshman got a good look at college level volleyball and performed very well,” he added.  “Freshman setter Stacy Wyse did an outstanding job running our offense and Emily Waits, another freshman, played very strong against their All-American middle.”

“Peni was her usual All American self and took command of the net at the outside position,” he continued.  “Most of all, we were pleased with our defense which included freshman libero Morgan Broderick, sophomore Karina Rohrer-Meck, and senior Alicia Schwartzentruber.  We also felt our right side attackers and blockers Cassie Greives, Indi Miller, and Kate Yoder were very effective against their 6-foot plus outside hitters.”

Routhier and the Maple Leafs continue their workouts on the beach and on the court all week.  Their time in Florida includes more scrimmages against local junior colleges before they return to the Goshen College campus over the weekend.

“I am very pleased with the team’s performance and we feel we are right on schedule with the team’s progress,” Routhier concluded.

The Maple Leafs get the official season underway with a home contest Thursday, August 26 against Marygrove College (Mich.).

Lexi Kantz

GOSHEN, Ind. – With just over two weeks remaining before their earlier than normal start to the season, Goshen College volleyball head coach Jim Routhier has announced another addition to his 2010 roster.

Lexi Kantz will join her high school teammates and become the latest Bethany Christian High School standout to don a Maple Leaf uniform this fall.

“Lexi brings a great amount of enthusiasm to the program,” Routhier said.  “She is very coachable and has a great work ethic.  We are very pleased to have Lexi joining us this next year.”

A late addition to the lineup, Kantz is a defensive specialist.  According to Routhier, she will likely start in the reserve team before working into the varsity lineup as she progresses and learns the college game.

Lois Mast, head coach of the Bethany Bruins, added “Lexi has worked hard to accomplish what she has, putting in lots of time and energy to improve her game.  She brings athleticism and energy to the game and her passion and love for the sport of volleyball is evident as she continues to pursue excellence at this next level.”

Kantz joins an incoming class that now sits at ten.  The Maple Leafs are coming off a 17-16 season, which included a historic run to the Mid-Central College Conference Championship match.

Goshen starts 2010 with a trip to Jacksonville, Fla. August 11-14 before officially beginning its campaign at home on August 26 in a home tilt with Marygrove College (Mich.).

Emily Waits

GOSHEN, Ind. – Goshen College head volleyball coach Jim Routhier already has one of the deepest and most talented recruiting classes in program history.

The one thing missing on the 2010 roster was size and depth in the middle.  That is, until now.

Routhier announced the addition of 5-foot-11 middle blocker/ attacker Emily Waits from local Fairfield High School this week as she becomes the eighth member of Routhier’s 2010 class.

“Emily is a top of the line player and will definitely make an immediate impact on our team,” Routhier said.  “She fits a desperate need for us and will help us be poised for a deep playoff run.  She is an outstanding student, has a wonderful personality, and will fit very well at Goshen.”

In her four years at Fairfield, the Falcons rattled off an incredible 31-5 record and made it to the final four in the state (2A) all four years.

“Emily gave our team the consistent play and leadership that helped us make our fourth appearance at State,” said high school head coach Carla Herschberger.  “She is such a great kid on and off the volleyball court.  She is so coachable and is always striving to be the best that she can be.  Emily has a lot of potential to be a great college volleyball player, she gets so much stronger every year and she is a great all-around athlete with the desire to win.”

As a senior, Waits led the Falcons with 58 blocks and a 30% kill percentage.  She pounded down 189 kills and five aces, despite serving just 33 times.  The daughter of Tim and Della Waits, Emily intends on majoring in Spanish at Goshen.

Waits joins Routhier’s 2010 class that includes Andrea Bozzo of Concord, Jordin Ashburn of Mishawaka, Kate Yoder of Iowa, Wisconsin native Rachael Williams, Morgan Broderick from Huntington, and Stacy Wyse and Chelsea Schmucker from Ohio.

Andrea Bozzo

GOSHEN, Ind. –  The signings keep rolling in for Goshen College’s head volleyball coach Jim Routhier as he announced the addition of  Andrea Bozzo from Concord to his 2010 recruiting class this week.

“Andrea comes from a very good high school program and has excellent volleyball skills,” Routhier explained.  “”She was a three-sport athlete in high school and exhibits strong athleticism.  I am very happy to have Andrea join our program this fall.”

Bozzo’s flexibility to play many positions on the court and her outstanding work ethic helped her to become one of the leaders on the Minuteman’s volleyball team. Her senior year she racked up 97 kills at a clip of 1.09  per game. She also kept the game exciting on the defensive end with 56 digs and 31 assisted blocks.

Concord’s head volleyball coach Laurie Rhoades says, “ I always felt confident having her on the floor, even in pressure situations.  She was a good leader for us, helping pull us up when we were down and just kept pushing us when we were up.”

Bozzo will join Routhier’s 2010 class that already includes Jordin Ashburn of Mishawaka, Kate Yoder of Iowa, Wisconsin native Rachael Williams, Morgan Broderick from Huntington, and Stacy Wyse and Chelsea Schmucker from Ohio.

Jordin Ashburn

GOSHEN, Ind. – After reaching the 2009 Mid-Central College Conference Championship match, Goshen College head volleyball coach Jim Routhier got a taste of what a conference title would feel like.

Routhier isn’t satisfied with a taste, so he is going out and bringing in one of the most talented and deep recruiting classes in program history.  Already with five student-athletes in the 2010 class, Routhier announced this week the addition of Mishawaka standout Jordin Ashburn.

“Jordin is a very good all around player, very enthusiastic and a coachable player,” Routhier said of his latest addition.  “She shows excellent potential for our program in the coming years and will fit in very well with what we are trying to accomplish.”

The Maple Leafs latest addition registered 232 assists, 32 kills, 140 digs, 22 blocks, and 15 service aces as a senior.  Her all around ability earned her All Northern Indiana Conference honors.  Ashburn was also named a scholar-athlete and her team’s Most Improved Player.

The daughter of Robert and Annette Ashburn, Jordin intends on majoring on Business upon starting at Goshen College in the fall.  Ashburn will also play for the Maple Leaf basketball team under head coach Steve Wiktorowski.

“Jordin has a great personality and work ethic that will really help our program,” Wiktorowski said.  “She was known as a very good defensive player in high school and we were looking for a young perimeter player with size who could fill that role for us on our team.  She is a quality athlete who has a very good understanding of the game, doesn’t make mistakes, and her offensive skills will develop a lot in college.”

Kate Yoder

GOSHEN, Ind. – The good news just keeps rolling in for Goshen College volleyball coach Jim Routhier.  Today, the first-year head coach announced the signing of Iowa native Kate Yoder to a national letter of intent as he continues to put together an impressive 2010 recruiting class.

A 5-foot-6 setter, Yoder was a three-year starter for Mid-Prairie High School in Wellman, Iowa.  In addition to her standout career for the Hawks, she played high level club volleyball for the past five years.

Yoder tallied a career high 513 assists on way to Cedar Valley All Conference honors during her senior season.  As a team captian, Yoder also was second on her Mid-Prairie team with 140 digs and was the only player to start in each of the Hawks’ 26 matches.

With two senior setters graduating in a couple months, Routhier made increasing depth at the position a priority this recruiting season.  Yoder will play alongside fellow incoming Maple Leaf and former All Ohio selection Stacy Wyse this fall.

“This feels like an exciting time to join the Goshen volleyball program, as both of their setters are seniors this year, leaving some big shoes to fill,” said Yoder, who also noted the outstanding run of the Maple Leafs in Routhier’s first season.  “I’m up for the challenge though and look forward to playing alongside an all-state setter in Stacy Wyse, who has just recently signed with Goshen as well.”

“I feel like all the years I played club volleyball and all the time I put into improving and developing my game during the off season has finally paid off,” Yoder added.

The daughter of John and Joni Yoder, Kate will major in either nursing or music at Goshen.  She also will become the second Kate Yoder on the Maple Leaf roster, joining junior middle hitter Katelyn Yoder of Mason, Mich.