Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - The Grace College volleyball team has undergone a complete overhaul from the squad that went 84-15 over the last two years. Although eight new faces will walk on the court for the 1997 edition, the team may not stray far from its path of success.
Gone from last year's team are five starters, including All-American middle hitter Rebecca Wahlstrom. However, this year's team should not lack either leadership or athletic ability.
Returning as the team's setter is senior Melissa Rants. With 1,924 assists during the 1996 season, Rants will provide the new set of hitters with plenty of opportunities to do their jobs. Rants earned NCCAA All-American status last season and was voted an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American. She has led the Mid-Central Conference in assists all three years at Grace.
Also returning is sophomore outside hitter DeAnna Beachy. Last year, Beachy earned a starting position by season's end due to confidence and consistent play. With a year of experience behind her, she is expected to play a key role for the Lady Lancer offense.
Molly Maidment returns for her senior season at the outside hitter position. She is expected to fill the role held by Stacey Jackson last year. Her experience should be a stabilizing influence to the team.
Outside hitter Christa Langerud rounds out the list of returning players. She saw some action off the bench last year.
The roster of newcomers reads like an impressive Who's Who list of volleyball talent from around the country. Topping the list is 6-foot-1 middle hitter Kate Millen. She is expected to make an immediate impact for the Lancers. She was a first team All-Conference selection three years in a row at Heritage Christian School in Wisconsin. Her accomplishments culminated into recognition by Volleyball Magazine as one of the Fab 50 volleyball recruits in the United States.
Setter Rachel Anderson joins the squad from Dunkerton, Iowa. She was a two-time first team All-Conference player at Walnut Ridge Academy. She achieved Iowa All-State honors her senior season.
Outside hitter Amanda Ringhand was voted team MVP three seasons at Sandpoint High in Athol, Idaho. She helped her team with the state championship in 1995 and was a first team All-Conference selection as a senior. Ringhand also played three years on the Inland Empire Volleyball club team, coach by Art Lambert, the head volleyball coach at Notre Dame from 1984-90.
Two Warsaw natives will play for Grace this year. Sarah Calhoun and Leslie Estep will begin their first seasons for the Lancers. Estep transfered after one season at Point Loma Nazarene University in California.
Linnea Vasquez was a redshirt freshman last year and will get the chance to play this year. Also joining the team will be Kelli Irish and Arica Griffey.
"The girls will have to make the transition to college level play as far as quickness and reaction time are concerned, which will take some time," head coach Candace Moats said. "However, with the athletic ability these women have, we should develop into a very strong team.
"The beginning of the season, we will face some very good competition. Conference rivals Taylor and Bethel are ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the region pre-season and we will face No. 5 Walsh at the Spring Arbor Tournament next weekend. This will give us some good experience to start the season."
Grace will begin the season at the Cedarville Tournament on Friday.
Grace Roster
Name Pos Hometown
Melissa Rants S Kent, WA
Amanda Ringhand OH Athol, ID
Linnea Vasquez DS Berwyn, IL
Kelly Irish OH New Berlin, WI
Kate Millen MH Waukesha, WI
Christa Langerud OH Ham Lake, MN
Sarah Calhoun O/MH Warsaw
Rachel Anderson S Dunkerton, IA
Leslie Estep MH Warsaw
Arica Griffey OH LaPaz
Molly Maidment OH Troy, OH
DeAnna Beachy OH Arthur, IL
