Jeff Nycz, Mid-South Images Volleyball announces incoming class Grace College's volleyball team is excited to announce the incoming class for the 2021 season. The future is bright for the Lady Lancers, who is coming off a trip to the NCCAA national semifinals in 2020 under head coach Katie Van Hofwegen. Click on a name below to learn more about each of the new Lancers! Sahara Bee Hometown/High School: Valparaiso, Ind. / Morgan Township High SchoolPrevious School: Valparaiso UniversityPosition: RS/OHHeight: 6-0Reason for choosing Grace: I am so excited to transfer to Grace because I really enjoy the Christian environment. Right when I got on campus it felt like home. I’m also very excited to be able to play volleyball again. I am looking forward to playing the game I love and forming friendships that will last a lifetime.Accolades: Three-time All-Conference honoreeConference Player of the YearAmassed 302 assists, 269 kills and 94 aces as a seniorNamed to the Post-Tribune All-Area Team(Basketball) Three-time All-Conference honoree(Basketball) Conference Co-Player of the Year(Basketball) 1,000 point scorer Alisha Leffring Hometown/High School: Norton Shores Mich. / Western Michigan Christian SchoolPosition: MHHeight: 6-1Reason for choosing Grace: After visiting Grace, I chose to attend because of the great atmosphere, great teammates and great coaching. I know that Grace was the right choice because I have already been pushed in my walk with Jesus and on the court. When I walked through campus and met the team, I felt like the Lord answered many of my prayers and calmed my nerves through Grace.Accolades: Two-time Second Team All-StateTwo-time First Team All-ConferenceOne-time Second Team All-ConferenceCompiled 304 kills, 279 digs, 102 assists, 101 blocks and 42 aces as a seniorAmassed 319 kills, 401 digs, 98 blocks and 90 aces during her junior season Riley Owens Hometown/High School: Bloomington, Ill. / Tri-ValleyPosition: SHeight: 5-7Reason for choosing Grace: I chose Grace because of the welcoming community, Christian atmosphere, and the opportunity to play volleyball at the next level. I am very excited to make Grace my home for the next 4 years.Accolades: All-Conference performer from Tri-Valley (Ill.)Graduated top 10 in school history for career assistsLed the team to the Sweet Sixteen during her careerExcelled on the club circuit, earning AAU All-American recognition in 20192019 AAU national champion 16 Classic Emily Peterson Hometown/High School: Winona Lake, Indiana / Tippecanoe Valley/WarsawPosition: SHeight: 5-8Reason for choosing Grace: I'm excited to join the Christ-centered environment which will push me to be a better servant leader on and off the court. The volleyball program is an amazing group of people, and I couldn't be more blessed to be a Lancer.Accolades: Averaged 5.6 assists per set during her three years playing volleyball at Tippecanoe ValleyNamed First Team All-Conference in both basketball and volleyballRacked up 1,516 career assists, 295 digs, 243 kills and 42 aces Jadyn Ross Hometown/High School: Plainfield, Indiana / Plainfield High SchoolPosition: OHHeight: 5-9Reason for choosing Grace: I chose Grace for many reasons, but one that will always stick out to me was the first time I came to watch the volleyball team play. During the game, one of Grace's players was hurt, and as soon the team knew she was okay they immediately huddled into prayer. I will never forget the feeling of God in the gym that day!Accolades: Led Plainfield to a stellar 22-9 recordUnder Armor All-American nomineeAll-Conference674 kills in her three-year careerAcademic All-StateAVCA All-Region McKenzie Stakely Hometown/High School: Mocksville, N.C. / Davie County High SchoolPosition: DSHeight: 5-2Reason for choosing Grace: I love the fact that Grace is a Christian College and all the classes are taught with a Biblical worldview! After seeing the campus in person and talking to Coach Katie and Coach Sara, I instantly fell in love and knew this was the place for me!Accolades: Averaged 16.4 digs per match as a senior captain at Davie County (N.C.)Named Defensive Player of the Year and All-Conference for the Central Piedmont ConferenceWon regular season and conference tournament championships for the conferenceNamed to the AVCA Phenom List in 2019Ultra Ankle JVA Watch List in 2019 and 2020Helped her 16U club team win the AAU Greensboro Super Regional Tournament Morgan Syoen Hometown/High School: Brownsburg, Ind. / Brownsburg High SchoolPosition: SHeight: 5-5Reason for choosing Grace: I fell in love with the Christian environment. Everyone was so welcoming and made me feel right at home. When I first met the team and visited campus, it just felt like this is where I need to be.Accolades: Impressed with 928 career assists, including 440 during her junior seasonTallied 512 digs and 51 aces in her careerEarned four varsity lettersHelped the Bulldogs win the 2020 sectional championship Paige Vander Goot Hometown/High School: Hudsonville, Mich. / Unity Chrisitan High SchoolPosition: DSHeight: 5-6Reason for choosing Grace: I chose Grace because I loved campus and how it made me feel welcome. I also loved being able to live close to family.Accolades: A three-year varsity player for Unity ChristianHelped Unity post a strong 20-9 record as a senior, including 7-3 in conference playAlso excelled on the softball diamond, achieving All-State, All-Conference, All-District and All-Region honors Read More 06.25.24 Volleyball announces 2024 signees 06.30.23 Volleyball excited to unveil 2023 class 07.05.22 Grace Volleyball announces incoming 2022 class 10.19.20 Eakright comes full circle with Grace