Big Blue Volleyball Set to Defend CCIW Title

  The 2016 Millikin volleyball team is ready to defend its College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) regular season title. Head Coach Debbie Kiick's squad returns 13 letter winners including one All-American and five players that earned All-Conference honors last season. Big Blue volleyball is loaded with talent as they look for the program's seventh straight 20 plus win season.
          Junior Erin Syversen leads the Millikin returners after earning American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American Second Team and CCIW All-Conference First Team honors in 2015. Syversen ranked second in NCAA Division III in kills last season with 615.
          Senior Cassidy Kingery returns at libero. She was an All-Conference First Team selection last season with 637 digs and 43 services aces. Junior Emily Mihalkanin is back at setter after earning All-Conference Second Team honors for the second time in 2015. Mihalkanin recorded 1,356 set assists last season along with 304 digs and 109 kills.
          Two-time All-Conference Third Team Selection junior Alora Goodey, senior Kelsey Talkington and sophomore Cortney Bohn return in the front row. Last season Talkington led NCAA Division III and set a new school record for hitting percentage in a match hitting .850 (17 kills) in a match against Lincoln Christian University. As a freshman, Bohn earned All-Conference Third Team honors after recording 254 kills and 61 blocks.
          Junior Meredith Artime and sophomore Emily Seegmiller return after making significate contributions off the Millikin bench last season.
          In addition to the talented returners, Coach Kiick added a strong recruiting class giving the Big Blue depth at every position. Other players fighting for varsity minutes in 2016 will include junior right side hitter Emily Lanz and sophomore outside hitter Katlin Schmittler. Sophomore Ally Isenhower and freshman Rose Syversen are battling for time at setter. Sophomore Erica Pleau and freshman Marissa McElroy are in contention for playing time at middle blocker. Sophomore Kirty Durflinger leads a group of talented defensive specialists which also include freshmen Skylar Harris, Blair Johnston,
Kesley McAtee and Tory Speckin.
          The Big Blue will be tested early and often playing one of the most grueling schedules in nation. Millikin will play 13 teams ranked in the AVCA Preseason Top 25 including five programs that have won NCAA National Championships. Three of the ranked teams are members of the CCIW.
          Millikin opens play at the University of Chicago on Sept. 2-3. The Big Blue's first home match is Sept. 20 against North Park University at 7 p.m.

2016 Volleyball Magazine

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#17 Meredith Artime: DS; 5' 5"; Junior

#4 Cortney Bohn: MH; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#14 Kirty Durflinger: S; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#2 Alora Goodey: RS/M; 5' 11"; Junior

#1 Cassidy Kingery: OH/DS; 5' 8"; Senior

#6 Emily Mihalkanin: S; 5' 6"; Junior

#12 Erica Pleau: MH; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#15 Emily Seegmiller: OH; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#22 Erin Syversen: OH; 5' 9"; Junior

#5 Kelsey Talkington: MH; 6' 1"; Senior

#18 Skylar Harris: DS; 5' 4"; Freshman

#21 Blair Johnston: DS; 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#17 Meredith Artime
: 5' 5"; Junior
: DS

#4 Cortney Bohn
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: MH

#14 Kirty Durflinger
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: S

#2 Alora Goodey
: 5' 11"; Junior
: RS/M

#1 Cassidy Kingery
: 5' 8"; Senior
: OH/DS

#6 Emily Mihalkanin
: 5' 6"; Junior
: S

#12 Erica Pleau
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: MH

#15 Emily Seegmiller
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: OH

#22 Erin Syversen
: 5' 9"; Junior
: OH

#5 Kelsey Talkington
: 6' 1"; Senior
: MH

#18 Skylar Harris
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: DS

#21 Blair Johnston
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: DS