Women’s Volleyball Preview

Volleyball team relying on success away from home this season

By Cole Louderman, ICC Harbinger

The Illinois Central Volleyball team will be on spending a majority of season on the road this year. The Cougars will play 28 games away from the CougarPlex this season. 

This years’ squad will be spanning the United States this regular season, playing 12 games in three different states including: Iowa, Texas, and Missouri. The Cougars travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to play in the Kirkwood Tournament on Sept. 9. 

After close to a month at home the team will head south to Brenham, Texas, a small city in between Austin and Houston, to play in the Blinn College Tournament on Oct. 7. 

The Cougars final travel destination of the regular season includes a trip to Hillsboro, Missouri for the Jefferson College Invitational on Oct. 21.

The team plays no less than 12 total games in the three out-of-state tournaments, the equivalent to the number of home games the team has this season. 

The Cougars bring back seven players from last years’ squad, including key returners: Grace Aeschleman, Paige Pasley, and Brooke Jacobs. This year’s team also includes seven new players, six freshmen and a transfer. 

Newcomers: 

Maria Alferova, a freshman from Morton IL.

Taylor Shaw, a freshman from Annawan, IL.

Kenzie Rhodes, a freshman from Mackinaw, IL.

Claire Milnes, a freshman from Prophetstown, IL.

Brooke Gardner, a freshman from Princeville, IL.

Alexus Mercer, a freshman from Pekin IL.

Leah Terbush, a transfer freshman from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN.

The Cougars host their own tournament Sept. 16-17 at the Cougarplex. Tournament play begins Friday, Sept. 16 at 3 p.m. with the final game of day at 7 p.m. Saturday will feature two games beginning at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.