GRINNELL, Iowa – First-year Grinnell College volleyball coach Eric Ragan '12 is excited for the upcoming campaign, and for good reason.
 
The Pioneers return three seniors, including All-Midwest Conference performer Margaret Giles '18, from a team that qualified for the league tourney last fall.
 
Giles, a setter, ranks fourth in program history with 1,863 assists. She also had 63 kills and 188 digs in 2016.
 
Sydney Vrecenar '18, who switched from libero to outside hitter, ranked fourth in the league in digs a year ago with 4.41 per set and was seventh in ace serves with 0.38 a set. Defensive specialist Deanna Taylor '18 completes the senior trio after ranking among the team leaders with 2.31 digs per set.
 
"Margaret, Sydney and Deanna are going to see a lot of time on the court and will be important to our overall success," said Ragan. "They've all had success in the past and their leadership will be key to how well we do."
 
Returning juniors are Emma Willhardt '19 (middle blocker), Nora Hill '19 (outside hitter/right side hitter) and Sonia Chulaki '19 (defensive specialist). "Emma had been injured, but now is healthier than she has ever been at Grinnell," said Ragan. "And Nora has improved so much in the last six months. She's really worked hard and will be a factor for us."
 
Willhardt led the Pioneers in blocks last season with 58 and also had 121 kills.
 
Sophomores include Madison Smith '20 (defensive specialist) and Alissa Johnson '20 (outside hitter). "Maddy has decided to switch positions, which will give us added depth in our defensive pool," said Ragan. "That was a need for our team and she's helping fill it."
 
The talented first-year class includes Kaylin Kuhn '21 (outside hitter), Olivia Jensen '21 (middle blocker), Sophia Carbajal '21 (middle blocker), Hannah Taylor '21 (outside hitter) and Isabel Ambrosoli '21 (setter). "Kaylin and Olivia both came in playing at a super-high level in club ball and will be contributors right away," said Ragan. "The remaining three first-years are all great additions, too. They all came in ready to work and improve."
 
Ragan said defense will be the Pioneers' strength. "We're very good in that department," he said. "It'll be hard for teams to get kills on us because we touch everything and get the ball back over the net. We're also going to be a very good serving team."
 
The Pioneers have tweaked their overall offense. "We're trying to run a faster offense," said Ragan. "That will come along with time and reps. We're going to make mistakes early on, but it'll pay dividends once we get it down."
 
Ragan said the team's expectation is clear for the 2017 campaign. "I know the team's goal is to make it back to the conference tournament," he said. "I think that's a very reasonable expectation."