by Lilah Regehr
The OBU volleyball team has started the season 11-4, with returning players and newcomers contributing to its early success.
One of the Bison’s recent wins came against Southern Nazarene University in a match that went to five sets.
Under head coach Anna Howle, the team has relied on its offense and defense to stay competitive, even when a match comes down to its final points. The work starts well before the first serve.
Freshman Maryella Weaver, who wears No. 15, said the players gather for a team meal about three hours before each home match.
They then spend about 30 minutes on an exercise they call “serve and pass,” rotating through serving and serve reception.
That routine gives players time to sharpen skills they will need once the match begins. It also brings the team together before the pace and pressure of competition take over.
After serve and pass, the players meet in the film room to review their game plan and what they have learned about their opponent, Weaver said.
They return to the court for drills, stretching and hitting lines before the match.
The preparation has helped produce strong individual performances.
Rilee Unruh, a senior who wears No. 8, leads the team with 215 kills, according to the statistics provided for this story. Junior Mackenzie Frazee has 104.
Those numbers reflect a team whose success depends on hours of practice as well as what happens on game day.
For Weaver, being part of OBU volleyball has also meant growing closer to her teammates through their shared faith.
“Our whole team is driven not just in volleyball but in pushing everyone to grow as a person and in their faith,” Weaver said.
The team meets each Wednesday for Bible study at Mrs. Pelter’s house and often attends Fellowship of Christian Athletes events and chapel together, Weaver said.
Those gatherings give the players opportunities to support one another away from the court, too.
Fans will have more chances to see the Bison play this fall.
OBU is scheduled to face Harding University on Oct. 1 for Pink Out Night.
The Nov. 5 match will recognize the team’s seniors and mark Military Appreciation Day.
The Great American Conference Tournament begins Nov. 11.
As the season continues, the Bison will look to build on their early record, their preparation and the relationships that have helped bring the team together.
