After winning the SLIAC Championship for a third straight season, the Webster University volleyball squad looks to earn its fourth consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2014.  The season begins August 29, as the Gorloks host Hanover College (IN) and Buena Vista University (IA) at Grant Gymnasium.  Webster finished the 2013 season 26-9 overall, setting a school record for wins in a season and advancing to the NCAAs for the seventh time in the last eight years.  Off the court, the team prospered as well, earning the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the fifth consecutive year.

Webster was narrowly edged out as favorites in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for 2104 by Greenville College (IL).  The Gorloks garnered 75 points in the SLIAC coaches' preseason poll, finishing second, while the Panthers had 77 points to take the number one spot.  Webster had four first-place votes to Greenville's five.  Westminster College finished in third place with 61 points and one first place vote.

The Gorloks return thirteen players from last season's championship team.  The 2014 senior class has enjoyed great success in their careers at Webster, including last year's SLIAC Defensive Player of the year and First Team All-Conference middle hitter, Sam Kersting (Lindbergh HS).  Kersting led the team with a .346 hitting percentage and 160 total blocks last fall.  The Gorloks also return three SLIAC Honorable Mention players: Jenny Howard (Duchesne), who hit .240 and had 210 digs while playing in 63 sets, setter Allie O'Toole (Lutheran South) who led the offense with 617 assists and 28 aces, and outside hitter/defensive specialist Jordan Vehlewald (Lafayette) who contributed 118 kills and 397 digs.

Other seniors include Kristen McDowell (Staunton, IL/Staunton HS), a right side hitter, who was named to the SLIAC All-Tournament team and collected 174 kills and 52 blocks last season while Andrea Dwiggins (St. Charles) racked up 139 kills and 48 blocks.  Megan Morrison (Lutheran South) played defense and compiled 300 digs in 81 sets played.  Setter Ashley Fawcett (Surprise, AZ/Valley Vista HS) contributed 414 assists and led the team with 31 aces.

An experienced junior class includes outside hitter/defensive specialist Lauren McCulley (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon HS) and setter Victoria Jewell (Centennial, CO/Regis Jesuit).  Three sophomores return for the Gorloks.  Katie O'Toole (Lutheran South) broke into the varsity lineup mid-season last year and finished with a team high 467 digs last season.  Crystal Renyer (Branson, MO/Branson HS) adds depth at the defensive position and Shelby Culli (Mascoutah, IL/Mascoutah HS) has experience as a DS and outside hitter.

Kallie Federhofer (Lutheran South) joins the volleyball team after competing for the Gorlok softball team last year.  The 6'1 hitter will add depth and strength at the net.  The Gorloks also welcome three transfers this fall. Outside hitter/defensive specialist Emma Cabutti (Mahomet, IL/Mahomet-Seymour HS) was a member of the Parkland College (IL) team that finished second in the NJCAA last fall.  Middle hitters Rachel Nelson (McKendree University/Papillion LaVista-South HS, NE) and Abbie Pfeiffer (Mercyhurst College/Lutheran HS, IL) will vie for time at the net for the Gorloks. 

The freshman class includes hitters Caitlyn Vanover (DeSoto), Emi Beining (Lutheran South), Rachel Mencel (Colchester, IL/West Prairie HS), Stefanie Swan (Hoffman Estates, IL/Hoffman Estates HS) and Hannah Rowold (Piedmont, MO/Clearwater HS).  Maria Soffner (Incarnate Word) and Ashten Gruver (Seckman) will add strength to the Gorlok defense.  .

Head Coach Merry Graf's teams have compiled a 265-136 overall record and an impressive 168-25 conference record over her 13 years at Webster.  The Gorloks have won the SLIAC Conference six times and the SLIAC Tournament Championship seven times, advancing to the NCAA tournament.   All three of Graf's assistants return this fall.  Matt Ryan will be entering his fifth season with the Gorloks and former players Megan Floarke and Abby Williams will be entering their fourth seasons at Webster.

The 2014 schedule includes tournaments at Rose Hulman in Terre Haute, IN, and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.  Webster will also compete in 10 junior varsity matches this season.  The Gorloks hosting Hanover at 4:00 p.m. and Buena Vista University at 6:30 p.m. on August 29 at Grant Gymnasium.

Come out and enjoy college volleyball at its finest watching the Gorloks!  As always, there is no admission charge for regular season home games.