To see someone other than Cedarville win the conference tournament trophy in the sport of volleyball was not exactly something easily predicted at the beginning of last season.
After all, a mini dynasty had seemingly formed with 2012, 2013 and 2014 G-MAC Championship hardware secured safely behind the glass case at the Yellow Jackets’ Callan Athletic Center.
But the Yellow Jackets’ sustained dominance at the top of the league had come to an untimely end in Mason Arena to finish the postseason. And it’s their quest to make that end as brief as possible.
The building blocks of G-MAC co-Player of the Year Abby Shelton on the outside, G-MAC Freshman of the Year Taylor Wilkerson and a seasoned, veteran leader with head coach Doug Walters, are a great place to start.
Shelton and the Yellow Jackets took the runner-up finish to heart after watching the final point of last year’s three-set finale against Trevecca Nazarene on day one of the current preseason.
There’s no question Cedarville will be a contender once again with five all-conference performers back in the mix this fall. The back row is intact with setter Kristin Cardwell (8.54 assists per set) and libero Angela Becker (4.28 digs per set) primed for big senior seasons.
Up front, Shelton (3.83 kills per set), with the improved development of Wilkerson, junior Krissy Pratt (2.81 kills per set) and senior Rachel Krikke (.343 hitting percentage) -- all having earned spots on All-G-MAC teams -- is a revolving turnstile of a nightmare for opponents.
The wave of new Yellow Jackets features four freshmen and Clarion transfer Gabby Olson, a 6-4 middle that only adds to the Yellow Jackets’ already impressive depth up front.
Walters has led Cedarville to a .907 winning percentage and a near-spotless 39-4 record in conference games alone. He is preparing to enter his ninth season leading the program.
Cedarville was picked second in the league’s annual preseason coaches poll by only one vote. Walters scheduled Cedarville to face back-to-back NCAA Championship regional qualifiers to open the regular season, including incoming 2017 G-MAC institution Hillsdale.
His aggressive stance towards non-conference scheduling has never wavered and he plays an important role as chair of the regional advisory committee and part of the national selection committee for the volleyball tournament field.
The Yellow Jackets will also represent the G-MAC again this year at the Mizuno Midwest Region Crossover in Aurora, Ill., in mid-October.
Head Coach: Doug Walters (9th season)
2015 Record (Overall): 19-15
2015 Record (Conference): 9-1
2015 All-Conference Performers: Abby Shelton (G-MAC co-Player of the Year, First Team), Rachel Krikke (First Team), Kristin Cardwell (First Team), Angela Becker (First Team), Krissy Pratt (Second Team), Taylor Wilkerson (G-MAC Freshman of the Year, All-Freshman Team)
Quotable: “We’re pretty excited for the season. We’ve got a core of eight strong returning to the team, all of which were significant players for us. I’m excited about the conference because I think the conference is stronger than it’s ever been. Every year it’s gotten a little bit better which is good because next year we’re adding five more schools that will make the level that much more higher.”
- Cedarville Head Coach Doug Walters
Records Watch: Rachel Krikke enters her senior season ranked third all-time in hitting percentage (.312)…She also is eighth in blocks (188)…Shelton is just 33 kills away from reaching 1,000 in her career and will most likely pass Cedarville alum Hannah Wagner for third place all-time in conference history…Kristin Cardwell ranks fourth among all conference players in assists (2,138) and is third in service aces (128)…Watch for her to climb to the top as the career leader in assists if she can maintain her 2015 pace of 1,000+…The G-MAC’s top digs leader is Yellow Jackets’ libero Angela Becker (1,689)…She will look to hold off Ohio Valley’s runner-up Megan Morrison (1,638) as both standout defensive specialists enter their senior seasons.