The Pioneer volleyball team opened the 2008 season with a scrimmage against Calvary Bible.  The outcome of the scrimmage ended well with the Pioneers taking control of the match early and ending with a 3-0 victory.  Rallying together in the third match to come back from a deficit, the Pioneers pushed through and won the set/match.  This opening match showed only a small amount of the Pioneers' potential.

The Calvary Bible scrimmage was not only the debut for the 2008 Pioneer team but also for head coach Rick Banis. He comes to MNU from Lewis University and brings a great amount of experience to the Pioneer volleyball program, both as a coach and player.  Assisting Coach Banis this season will be returning assistant coach and former MNU volleyball player Mindy Essex and first year graduate assistant Cyndi Rucker (Olivet Nazarene University).  

With the leadership and experience of returning seniors Stephanie Bergman (Leavenworth, KS), Brittany Philippi (Hemet, CA), and Clarissa Kopp (Olathe, KS) the Pioneers hope to dominate on the court this season, specifically at their home HAAC Pre-Season Tournament this weekend (Aug. 29-30).  Bergman, Philippi, and Kopp bring the skills to play all around and will be a huge asset for the Pioneers this season. Anchoring the team with their MNU experience are 3^rd year varsity players Leanne Lagace (Glendora, CA) and Heidi Morris (Olathe, KS).  Lagace will be returning as the starting setter for the Pioneers and will be a catalyst for the team.  Morris will bring a huge block and swing to the right side and a consistency on which the team will rely.  Lindsey Bruders (Blue Springs, MO) and Sydney Tenney (Olathe, KS) are returning for their 2^nd season with the Pioneers.  Both are expected to aid the team on the court with Bruders taking an outside position, both front and back court, and Tenney giving the team depth as a setter.

Great things are expected of the five new faces joining the Pioneers this season. Transfer Junior, Sara Phipps (Olathe, KS) will be playing opposite of senior Bergman in middle.  Phipps brings a huge block, quick swing and aggressive personality that the Pioneers are excited to utilize. Sara Yoder (Wright City, MO) is a sophomore transfer who will bring depth defensively as DS/libero.  Yoder is another hard worker who is expecting to be a strong leader on the court.

Bethany Sharpes (Wichita, KS), Emily Miller (Creswell, OR), and Sarah Allshouse (Berthoud, CO) are three up and coming freshmen that give depth and competition to the Pioneer team.  Sharpes will be competing for the libero jersey with Yoder, and Miller will be putting pressure on the upperclassmen for the outside hitting position.  Allshouse will bring depth as a setter and right side hitter. 

The HAAC Invitational Tournament will hopefully be a great opportunity for the girls to begin to mesh as a team, allowing the variety of personalities and depth in positions to make great team competition and cohesiveness.  The yet untapped potential of the Pioneers will be exciting to see released this weekend and this season.