GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College ranked among the top volleyball teams in the Midwest Conference in each of the last three years, and coach Eric Ragan '12 expects that trend to continue in 2019.

Grinnell opens its campaign this weekend when it competes in the Illinois College Tournament, with the Pioneers' first home action slated for Tuesday against Faith Baptist College.
 
The team is led by outside hitters Kaylin Kuhn '21, a first-team All-Midwest Conference selection last year after being a second-teamer and MWC Newcomer of the Year in 2017, and Hannah Taylor '21. Adding to the mix at outside hitter are newcomers Rachel Woock '23, Avery Richardson '23 and Sophie Smith '23.
 
"Kaylin and Hannah have definitely grown into their leadership roles," said Ragan. "Both are captains and continuing to improve. They worked hard in the weight room in the off-season, which will benefit them. Rachel played a high level of volleyball in high school and has amazing court sense. Avery and Sophie are also solid players who will give us some solid depth."
 
Kuhn led the MWC in service aces last season with 0.54 per set and was second in kills with 4.32 a set.
 
Olivia Jensen '22, who had a strong first year but missed last season, returns as a middle blocker along with Anna Killin '22. "We are deeper and healthier at this spot than we were last year," said Ragan. "Having them both at full strength is huge. Sophia (Carbajal '21) gives us some nice options, as well. I'm looking for our middles to score a lot of points for us on offense … this might be the best blocking middle group we've had in a while at Grinnell."
 
Julianna Roth '22, a second-team All-MWC performer last year, returns at setter after averaging 9.82 assists per set in 2018. "Having a year of college volleyball under her belt will be very beneficial," said Ragan. "It's been nice to have her step up even more and have a voice in the gym. We also have Abbie Smith '23, who brings nice versatility with her setting and hitting."
 
The team is deep at defensive specialist. "Madison Smith '20, Payton Lowrey '22 and Julia Welch '22 all started at some point for us last year," said Ragan. "Alissa Johnson '20 was a serving specialist for us last season and the addition of Emmy Nyquist '23 is also very helpful. All of these players are competitive with each other and that's led to an elevated level of passing."
 
Another key addition to the team is assistant coach Erin Labasan '11, who had a strong career as a player for the Pioneers and most recently coached at Davidson College. "Having Erin back is great because she obviously knows volleyball, but also knows Grinnell and the program," said Ragan. "She's jumped right in and has done awesome in the gym and recruiting-wise."
 
Ragan is anticipating another big season as the Pioneers take aim at a high finish in the league. "We've established ourselves as a tourney team year in and year out, and are looking to continue that," he said. "We're deeper than we have been in the past and have raised our level of play in practice. The competition in the gym is amazingly high and everyone continues to grow and get better."