Blackburn College Women's Volleyball is set to start the season on Saturday, February 6th at 1 o'clock, and the Beavers will be hosting Fontbonne University. The season will consist of a total of only 14 games, facing just conference opponents.
The Beavers are coming off a much improved season with Morgan Hauser as coach, entering her second season at the helm. The Beavers finished 9-17 (8-10 SLIAC record), awarding them sixth place in the conference. The eight conference game wins earned last season were the most in school history and the best conference finish in almost 20 years. The Beavers finished with a player in the top 10 in each statistical category in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Blackburn looks to capitalize on their impressive last year, as the Beavers are returning most of their starters.
Hauser has constructed a very talented group in only two seasons. The Beavers are losing only two key players but have added six freshmen and will be led by lone senior, Kaitlyn Wiegand. The Beavers also have three talented and experienced juniors to help lead the way, not to mention the Beavers have three sophomores that played a huge role in the team's success last year. This team loves to build on what Hauser has established and has high expectations.
Key Returners:
Swedberg had an impressive freshman campaign. During her freshman season she played in all 26 matches. She recorded 442 digs which is second-best in school history for one season. She was named conference Defensive Player of the Week. After an impressive freshman season, Swedberg looks to take another step and be one of the best defensive players in the conference.
Wiegand is the only senior on the team. She has played in 81 matches, has a total of 537 kills, and a total of 162 blocks. Her kills are second all-time and Blackburn history and her blocks are fifth all time. She will need 61 to be the second best in school history. She will only need 80 kills to become the all-time leader. Wiegand was second on the team with 209 kills last season. She has a lot on her shoulders being the only senior on the team, but she's very capable of leading the Beavers.
Magnussen enters her junior season off an impressive sophomore season, where she played in all 26 matches. She led the beavers with 254 kills last season and was the seventh best in the conference with 3.3 points per set. Throughout her career, she has been credited with 392 kills, 497 points and 150 digs.
Wilson enters her sophomore season with big shoes to fill. With the loss of Burleyson, Wilson may be the main setter for this team. Burleson had a great career and was a big part of the Beaver's success last season. In her freshman season, Wilson played in 24 of the 26 matches, with 232 digs, 30 serve aces, and 61 assists.
Bowyer finished freshman season with 203 kills which was third best on the team. She played in all of the 26 matches and had 60 total blocks of the season, with blocks proving to be a team high last season. She looks to take the next step and become one of the premier players in the conference this season.
Key Additions:
King is an outside hitter that attended New Berlin high school. King will add some depth to Hauser's squad. King played varsity for three years. During her career she had a total of 522 kills, 72 aces, and 645 digs.
Marty is also an outside hitter that attended Shelbyville High School. She is a former teammate of sophomore middle hitter Elizabeth Bowyer. Marty played three varsity seasons while in high school. She had 552 kills and 41 blocks. Marty will also add some depth to this already talented roster.
Key losses:
Kendall Burleyson
Burleyson was named to the SLIAC All Conference third team. Burleyson led the Beavers with 716 assists and 34 serve aces last season. Her 716 assists in a single season is second best in school history. Burleyson is first in school history with 1,676 assists, 127 aces, and 53 single season aces.
Annika Ochs
Ochs graduated after last season. She played three seasons and a total of 75 matches tallying 628 digs and 26 serve aces. Ochs was awarded to the SLIAC Volleyball Sportsmanship Team last season
The Beavers will be coached Morgan Hauser, and assisted by Kennedy Netters, and Quentin Parmenter.