Mountaineer Volleyball Enters 2022 Ranked Second in CCC
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, August 8th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Release from Eastern Oregon University) EOU enters the season ranked second in the CCC receiving 127 points in the preseason poll. Corban University took the number one spot in the rankings with all 12 first place votes and 144 points. National rankings are set to be announced sometime next week, Aug. 7-13.
The Mountaineers return to the court for the 2022 season after another strong campaign in 2021. The season will start with a pair of exhibitions on Aug. 12. Sixteenth year Head Coach Kaki McLean Morehead will start the season with a squad that returns nine letterwinners and four starters. In the 2021 campaign the Mounties finished with a 26-9 record (19-3 conference) that ended in a pool-play loss in the NAIA national tournament.
Although the Mounties lost in pool play, they made the NAIA national tournament for the eighth consecutive season and hosted the first-round match for the second year in a row. EOU finished the season ranked No. 16 in the country.
Leading the charge for the Mounties this year will be two-time All-American middle hitter, Cambree Scott, and All-CCC outside hitter, Sade Williams. Both will be entering their senior seasons. Two critical losses will need to be replaced as All-Region outside hitter Breanna Shaffer and All-CCC middle hitter Jet Taylor graduated. Shaffer was also named an honorable mention All-American.
“We are returning three All-Conference players. The foundation is there and I am excited to see how those new pieces fit,” Coach McLean Morehead said. “I can’t wait to get started and see what this group of young women can do.”
With Scott and Williams leading the way, the Mounties will look to reclaim the title of Conference Champion in the 2022 season. Other key returners such as All-CCC honorable mention defensive specialist Hailey Arritola, middle hitter Preslee Jensen, and setter Alexis McMurtrey will fill out a balanced roster looking to put EOU back on top.
The Mountaineers begin their season on the road. They will play two exhibition matches on Aug. 12 in Nampa, Idaho before heading to Montana for the annual Big Sky Challenge located in Butte being played on Aug. 18 and 19.
