Express Debut at #2 in NJCAA Poll

Express Debut at #2 in NJCAA Poll

By Chris Schmidbauer, Sports Information Director

Toledo, OH -- With a twelve game winning streak in hand, the Owens Volleyball program continues to impress since the move to Division III. Apparently the team's hot start had an impression on the voters at the NJCAA as well. The Express made their debut at #2 in the Top Ten Poll for NJCAA Division III teams. Owens was unranked a week ago, but the team skyrocketed up the polls this week to sit as the second best team according to the NJCAA Division III Volleyball Committee. 

Owens finished the regular season a year ago IN 2017 as the #1 ranked team in the NJCAA Division II level. 

The Express have won a dozen games since their opening season loss at the Waubonsee tournament. After shaking off some early season jitters, Owens woud go on to win their next three matches in straght sets over the remainder of the weekend. The following weekend, Owens hosted their annual invitational, which saw the Express go 7-0 on the weekend. There were also two conference matches sandwiched in the schedule as well, with the Express winning both of those matches in straight sets as well. 

The Express have been led on the attack by sophomore Michaela Eisenhauer. Eisenhauer leads the team with 118 kills so far this season, and she is averaging almost three kills per set. Summer Sweeting has been a force as well, leading the team in assists at 267, and the North Fairfield, OH native is also the team leader in service aces with 24.

Freshman Kiah Wendel is the team leader in digs, through 13 matches, with 140. Kennedy Ames is second time with 92 digs. Freshman Shyah Wheeler leads the team in blocks with 35, while fellow freshman Mornay McBroom is hot on Wheeler's heels with 32 blocks of her own. Kara Evers has had a terrific start to her college career as well. She leads the Express in Hitting Efficiency at 45.5%.

The Express had this past weekend off after back to back invitational participation to start the season. They will resume play this Wednesday evening on the road against Cuyahoga. They follow that up with a home match on Friday night against Hocking. Then on Saturday, Owens will host a quad meet with Columbus State, Schoolcraft, and the College of DuPage.