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2019 EOU Volleyball

Volleyball Iain Dexter, EOU Sports Information Director

EOU Volleyball: 2019 Season Preview

LA GRANDE, Ore. – With five-straight NAIA Championships appearances and a large returning class, the No. 10 Eastern Oregon volleyball team heads into the 2019 season with high expectations.
 
The Mountaineers open the 2019 campaign on Friday across the country in Florida, first visiting Webber International at 12 p.m. Eastern time/9 a.m. Pacific time, followed by a match at Warner at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.
 
EOU went 25-9 a year ago, earning a share of the Cascade Conference title with a 17-3 CCC record. The team advanced through pool play and reached the top-16 at nationals to complete another strong year.

The Blue and Gold was picked to finish second CCC Coaches' Preseason Poll, just behind Southern Oregon, who shared the regular season title with EOU.
 
This year, the Mounties bring back a strong cast to back 13th year head coach Kaki McLean Morehead with 11 returners, including two All-Americans.

Outside Hitters
One of the best returning groups for the Mountaineers, EOU brings back two All-American hitters in seniors Megan Bunn and Hailee Ackerman. Bunn was an NAIA 2nd Team All-American, leading EOU with 406 kills, 3.36 kills per set while ranking second on the team with 415 digs. Ackerman posted 380 kills and 3.09 kills per set on her way to Honorable Mention All-American. The Mounties also have depth with sophomores Kaci Cox and Breanna Shaffer, who combined for 129 kills during their freshmen years.
 
Middle Hitters
Another group with loads of depth, the Mounties have two returners that posted over 100 blocks in 2018. Sophomore Cambree Scott led the team with 115 blocks her freshman year, adding 124 kills. Senior Taylor Tibbetts was also a force up front, posting 107 blocks and 200 kills. Sophomore Jet Taylor had 65 blocks while senior Nina Bailey added 41 blocks as EOU's front row rotation looks to be difficult for opponents to match.

Setters
Junior Madison Pilon is the team's lone returning setter from 2018, but will provide stability at the position this year. Pilon already ranks fifth in the program records with 1,376 career assists, finishing with a team-best 607 last season.

Defenders
CCC Co-Libero of the Year Kiley McMurtrey and fellow junior Aspen Christiansen headline the back row defensive corps for the Mountaineers. McMurtrey led the team with 533 digs in 2018 while Christiansen was strong with 301. McMurtrey was also third on the team with 30 service aces. 

Newcomers
The 2019 recruiting class features all freshmen for EOU as McLean Morehead brought in hitters Sade Williams (Idaho Falls, Idaho) and Claire Hardy (La Grande, Ore.), defensive specialist Jessie White (Nampa, Idaho) and setter Brooke Dodge (Boring, Ore.).

Schedule
It is another tough schedule for the Mountaineers who face a number of top-25 teams in and out of the CCC. The first big challenge will come on Aug. 23 as EOU faces No. 3 Grande View in Hastings, Nebraska. They follow up the next day with No. 22 Bellevue and No. 14 Hastings. The Blue and Gold also have an Aug. 31 matchup with No. 21 Providence.
 
The CCC also features three other ranked opponents in the NAIA Preseason Poll including No. 6 SOU, No. 12 College of Idaho and No. 19 Corban. Northwest is also among teams receiving votes.
 
The season officially kicks off on Friday as the Mounties take on Webber International and Warner in Lakeland, Florida. A link to a live stream of both matches will be available at eousports.com.
 
For more information on Eastern Oregon volleyball, follow @EOUAthletics or visit eousports.com.
 
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Contact: Iain Dexter; 541-962-3946; idexter@eou.edu
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Hailee Ackerman

#3 Hailee Ackerman

OH
6' 1"
Senior
Nina Bailey

#13 Nina Bailey

MH/RH
6' 0"
Senior
Megan Bunn

#6 Megan Bunn

MH/OH
6' 0"
Senior
Aspen Christiansen

#5 Aspen Christiansen

DS/L
5' 2"
Junior
Kaci Cox

#10 Kaci Cox

OH/RH
6' 0"
Sophomore
Kiley McMurtrey

#2 Kiley McMurtrey

DS/L
5' 3"
Junior
Madison Pilon

#4 Madison Pilon

S
5' 11"
Junior
Cambree Scott

#12 Cambree Scott

MH
6' 0"
Sophomore
Breanna Shaffer

#14 Breanna Shaffer

OH
6' 0"
Sophomore
Jet Taylor

#16 Jet Taylor

MH
6' 0"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Hailee Ackerman

#3 Hailee Ackerman

6' 1"
Senior
OH
Nina Bailey

#13 Nina Bailey

6' 0"
Senior
MH/RH
Megan Bunn

#6 Megan Bunn

6' 0"
Senior
MH/OH
Aspen Christiansen

#5 Aspen Christiansen

5' 2"
Junior
DS/L
Kaci Cox

#10 Kaci Cox

6' 0"
Sophomore
OH/RH
Kiley McMurtrey

#2 Kiley McMurtrey

5' 3"
Junior
DS/L
Madison Pilon

#4 Madison Pilon

5' 11"
Junior
S
Cambree Scott

#12 Cambree Scott

6' 0"
Sophomore
MH
Breanna Shaffer

#14 Breanna Shaffer

6' 0"
Sophomore
OH
Jet Taylor

#16 Jet Taylor

6' 0"
Sophomore
MH