With the volleyball season closing in, here’s a look around the state at some of the players that could have an impact in 2017.
Audrey Alford, Oklahoma, Jr., S
With 11.29 assists per set, Alford was second in the Big 12 in 2016 in that category.
Arianna Baker, Southeastern, Jr., OH
Baker had some fantastic games for Southeastern late in the season as the Storm won seven of its last nine matches and could take that momentum in 2017.
Elise Berlin, Southern Nazarene, Sr., S
Berlin was second in the GAC in assists per set (10.55) and brings back leadership and championship experience with the Storm’s sweep through the league tournament in 2016.
Taylor Bevis, Central, Jr., OH
Bevis had stellar numbers in the Bronchos’ record-setting season in 2016, and led the team with 3.95 kills per set and had 3.10 digs per set to show her all-around skills.
Kendra Butler, Oklahoma Panhandle, So., MB/RS
A solid freshman campaign should give way to a good sophomore season as the Aggies break new ground in the SAC this year.
Oklahoma City’s Sanja Vojnovic, photo courtesy OCU Sports Info.
Laurel Church, Mid-America Christian, Sr., MB
The senior was in the top 10 in the SAC in kills per set, hitting percentage and blocks and could help the Evangels move up the league standings in 2017.
Kaitlyn Dillon, Southwestern, So., DS
In her debut season with the Lady Dawgs, Dillon recorded 4.09 digs per set and had 10 or more digs 26 times, as she played in all 31 matches.
Cadyn Laing, Oklahoma Baptist, Sr., MH
Laing took care of business on the attack with a hitting percentage of .303 last year, recording 2.2 kills per set, while putting up the second best number in the GAC in blocks at 110.
Lexie Livingston, Tulsa, Jr., MB/RS
Solid transfer from NEO who helped her team to an NJCAA regional championship.
Laura Milos, Oral Roberts, Sr., OH
Milos was on the watch list in 2016 and she is well worth mention on the list again for her senior season. She may be the most productive college player in the state, hitting doubles figures in kills in 30 of 31 appearances and led D-I in aces per set in 2017.
Andrea Novakovic, Oklahoma Wesleyan, Sr., DS
Novakovic is solid on defense, recording 5.88 digs per set in 2016 and had 33 service aces as well.
Courtney Traylor, Southwestern Christian, Sr., S
Traylor was second in the SAC in assists per set (9.24) and sent 60 aces past opponents in 2016.
Taylor Turner, East Central, Sr., S
One of seven seniors coming back for the Tigers in 2017, Turner is a stable player and directs the well.
Sanja Vojnovic, Oklahoma City, Sr., S
The Stars went undefeated in the SAC in ’16 and bring back so many pieces of that puzzle, including Vojnovic, who directed traffic for OCU to the tune of 11.40 assists per set.
Gabbi Ware, St. Gregory’s, Jr., OH
She is the leading returner in kills for the Cavs and should have more opportunity to grow in that category while helping her team on offense.
Hannah Williams, Northwestern, Jr., OH/OPP
Williams is also the leading returner for the her team in kills and is solid on defense as well, as NWOSU is working to get back into the conference race with a new coach this year.
Kori Williams, Langston, Sr., S
Williams is one of a pair of seniors on the Lady Lions’ squad and is consistent and a backbone for the program.