WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace's volleyball team has burst onto the national scene in recent years.
The Lancers enjoyed a groundbreaking 2024 campaign, winning their second consecutive NCCAA national championship under head coach Katie Hill. Grace also qualified for the NAIA National Championships for the first time in 23 years and hosted an NAIA Opening Round for the first time ever.
The Lancers were a veteran squad last season and have graduated eight players from that title-winning team. But Hill was resolute that this young Lancer team has the pieces needed to continue the program's success.
"We graduated some big pieces last year, so I wasn't sure how we would look at this point in the preseason. But our players are stepping in seamlessly so far," Hill said. "Our team is connecting really well on the court; there is strong chemistry and flow throughout our play. For a young team, we still feel very experienced."
Grace will be led by a trio of seniors, each of whom have vast playing experience in high-profile matches.
Livia Tate has been one of the top blockers in the Crossroads League over her career. She racked up 147 blocks last year, averaging 1.1 blocks per set.
Fellow senior Liz Schmidt served as the team's libero for much of the year, collecting Second Team All-League recognition. Emma Blackford also brings her four-year experience to the senior class and is one of the steadiest servers in the Crossroads League.
The trio provide a quiet but confident leadership style, one which Hill believes has given the underclassmen space to excel.
"Our upperclassmen don't have flashy personalities, but they are steady and reliable. We know what we can expect from them each day," Hill said. "That leadership style has allowed our freshmen to be comfortable being themselves; they are playing within their roles and are gaining confidence quickly."
Grace's junior class consists of outside hitter Brea Harris and middle blocker Callie Jo Celichowski. The duo earned playing time last year despite the Lancers' veteran lineup and are poised to contribute once again.
The Lancers have dynamic underclassmen, a group that includes five freshmen and four sophomores.
Grace's two setters are both new faces in Winona Lake. Sophomore Reese McCutchan transferred from Judson, and freshman Carsyn Witt joins Grace from Bloomington, Ill. "We are excited to see how our setters will run our offense. They are both very capable, and they're working together to make each other better," Hill added.
Grace's outside hitters, alongside Harris, form one of the deepest units on the team. Sophomore Anna Elkin was a force in her first year (CL All-Freshman Team). Fellow sophomore Olivia Martinez was also a mainstay in Grace's lineup, balancing time between the outside and the back row.
Freshman Levyn Snow joins the outside hitters, supplying a tall, dangerous attacker for the Lancers.
On the right side, sophomore Leah Henderson and freshman Molly Hofmann bring blocking and attacking prowess. Hofmann, a high jumper in track, is a unique vertical threat, and Henderson had big performances in key matches as a freshman (five block assists in the NCCAA national championship match).
So far in the preseason, Grace's back row and serving have been strengths. The team wants to be aggressive at the service line "to create chaos on the other side of the net," according to Hill.
The back row, led by Schmidt and Blackford as well as freshman Reagan Owens, has been playing airtight defense in practice. "Our back row is really challenging our hitters right now and making them better," Hill added.
Tate and Celichowski provide an experienced duo for the team's middle blockers. They will be joined by Abby Leffring, a 6-foot-1 freshman and sister of graduated All-American standout Alisha Voss. Leffring and Owens (sister of graduate Riley Owens) create a unique sibling connection for the Lancers.
Even though Grace has a young squad, Hill has no desire to let that be a crutch for her team to lean on.
"We know the Crossroads League is very competitive. But our younger players are progressing fast. There's always an adjustment to the speed of the college game, but this is a really hard-working team," Hill said. "This group will show out. Our overall skill level is good, and there is great competition on the practice court. Their personalities are easy-going, but they're willing to take whatever you throw at them."
The Lancers kick off the year with three straight road tournaments, beginning this weekend. Grace will play four matches at Olivet Nazarene across Friday and Saturday to start the season. On Aug. 21-22, Grace will travel to Keiser (Fla.) for another tournament, followed by a short trip to Bethel for Grace's third tourney on Aug. 29-30.
Grace's home opener is on Sept. 3 against Indiana Wesleyan.
