No. 20 Women’s Volleyball Ready to Begin 2024 Season

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The No.20 Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's volleyball team is set to begin its 2024 season on Friday, August 16, in the MVNU Cougar Classic.

The Lady Cougars face Rochester Christian in Ariel Arena at 1:00 pm to start the season. Later that day, they will return to Ariel Arena for a match against Indiana East at 7:00 pm. The team will conclude the Cougar Classic on Saturday, taking on Madonna at 4:00 pm.

MVNU finished the 2023 season with a record of 31-9 and placed second overall in the Crossroads League behind the defending National Champions and No.1 ranked Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats.

Head Coach Kendra Mosher has several key players returning from the 2023 NAIA Women's Volleyball National Tournament Qualifier this fall, including outside hitter Lyssi Snouffer (SR) and setter Reagan Nuss (JR), both of whom were 2023 First-Team All-Crossroads League selections and crucial to the Lady Cougars' offensive attack. Libby Evanshine (SO), a 2023 All-Freshmen Team member and Second-Team All-Crossroads League honoree will also be back.

Mosher is strengthening the squad with five fresh faces: Kate Ruffle, Millie Raikes, Bella Claxon, Jill Bouton, and Lynsay VanHoose. In addition to these talented freshman newcomers, Mosher has added veteran experience by bringing in senior transfers Brooke Fatzinger (Walsh University) and Telma Zelaya (Eastern Nazarene University).

With many seasoned players returning and some promising new talent joining the roster, Mosher and her Lady Cougars aim to build on the success from last season and make a strong push in the Crossroads League, as well as get back to NAIA Nationals for the second consecutive year.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.