As the 2019 Colorado Christian volleyball season begins, the outlook is positive as the program looks for a fourth straight appearance in the RMAC postseason tournament and a winning season for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons.
"What gets me excited for the season is we have a good core group of players returning. We have players who have been with us for a long time and understand the values and how we want to play. Time is so valuable with how you practice and now in my third year, the number of experienced players is valuable for us," said head coach Bobby Blanken.
The squad features eight players who played-in at least 98 sets last season and participated in all 28 matches. Included in that bunch are two all-conference players in outside hitter Cali Bahnsen and libero Mariela Gonzalez. Ashley Drye and Jacey Johnson also return on the outside after combining for 466 kills last season.
In the middle expect big contribution from Katie Henry, Kristy Dick and Jasa Scheierman. That trio produced a solid percentage and quality blocking each time they stepped onto the court.
Distributing the offense this year will be Maddie Burns who learned under the tutelage of two-time all-conference setter Kylee Wurster.
While the squad will miss the presence of all-conference players Hope Baldrica and Wurster, who graduated in May, their replacements are ready to contribute in their own way.
 "You can't replace what Hope and Kylee brought to the team. They are not just a position, they are a person and they are unique with talents and personalities. Hope brought a lot of energy and was an athletic middle blocker while Kylee was one of the more polished setters I've ever coached and had a very mature outlook," Blanken said.
"Our middle blockers gained some experience last year when Hope was out and they are ready to go on a full-time basis now. Maddie has had to wait for this moment and I'm excited to see what she can do on the court. She is up for the challenge and she has responded well when the coaches have given suggestions on what she can improve."
Also expect a trio of newcomers to be up to the challenge this season. Jincey Nystedt, Veronica Nederend and Ella Marr are all welcomed to the program. Nederend joins the squad for one season after playing beach volleyball and Loyola Marymount in southern California for the past three seasons. Both Nystedt and Marr are in their first seasons of collegiate volleyball after successful prep careers.
The success of the campaign will be based on growth in all facets. As Blanken enters his third season as the program's leader, he wants a growth mindset in everything the players do.
"At the end of the year we have to see growth for the season to be successful. Look at our identity and overall vision and measure that. We have shown we can be in the top third of the conference but can we take the next step on the ladder and be a regular contender for an NCAA postseason berth.
"To be a little frank, Colorado Christian has generally been competitive since I have been in the RMAC since 2014. But the program seems to have disappeared in big moments and I think our players are tired of that. The players are focused and want to do what it takes to get to the NCAA postseason and if that means overcoming fears and stepping into big moments then let's do it," concluded Blanken.
