The Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) women's volleyball team is gearing up for the 2025 season, following a successful 2024 campaign. The team finished last season with an overall record of 31-5 and advanced to Pool Play in the NAIA Tournament for the second year in a row under Head Coach Kendra Mosher. MVNU ended as runners-up in the Crossroads League with a conference record of 15-3.
In their previous tournament run, MVNU secured a win against The Master's with a 3-0 sweep but was eventually eliminated by Concordia University (Nebraska) in the second round of Pool Play. As they enter the new season, MVNU is ranked 14th in the NAIA Women's Volleyball Top 25 Preseason Poll, making them the second highest-ranked team in their league.
Key players returning this season include senior libero Jaelyn Tang, who recorded career-highs with 559 digs and 106 assists last year, and senior setter Reagan Nuss, who contributed 1,216 assists and 399 digs. Both Tang and Nuss were recognized for their on-court performance and academic achievements with CoSIDA Academic All-District Honors. Junior Libby Evanshine will continue to strengthen MVNU's offense as an outside hitter after being named to both the All-Crossroads League First Team and Midcentral Region First Team with her 415 kills last season. Senior Faith Maloney also returns after earning All-Crossroads League Honorable Mention honors.
Team captains for this season are Tang, senior Ashley Merrick, and junior Lilla Nicholas. Coach Mosher has added four freshmen to bolster the roster: Morgan Schlabach from Sugarcreek, Ohio; Mia Burr from Cedarville, Ohio; Mackenzie Reeves from South Solon, Ohio; and Evelyn Brown from Canal Winchester, Ohio.
The team's season will commence at Summer Slam 2025 in Fullerton, California on August 22-23. They will face three teams ranked in the NAIA Top 25 Poll during this event. Their first match is scheduled against No. 6 Southern Oregon at 3:00 p.m., followed by a rematch against No. 23 The Master's at 9:00 p.m.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private Christian university located on a sprawling campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio. It offers education to nearly 2,100 students across various programs.
