2019 MEDIA GUIDE

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University women's volleyball team reached new heights during the 2018 season, qualifying for its first-ever CCIW Tournament while also marking its first playoff win with a straight sets victory over Carroll University.

"We plan to build off the success of the past two seasons and make a jump into the top tier of the CCIW," said first-year head coach Michael Sopocy. "Our incoming class is loaded with high-level talent that will surprise our conference in a big way.  We look forward to seeing both upperclassmen and newcomers contribute significantly."

This season, Coach Sopocy faces the tall task of replacing the firepower of seven seniors from the 2019 class, including starters Kelly Clinton (MB), Mia Riccolo (DS/L), and four-time All-CCIW selection Lauren Wiltsie (OH).

However, the Vikings return a pair of veteran All-CCIW selections in middle blocker Niki Ahlstrand (2018) and setter Kajsa Meyer (2017), along with fellow seniors Reagan Clement (OH) and Bethany Geidner (MB).

Ahlstrand has been a staple of the North Park core since arriving on campus in 2016. For the past three seasons, the Morton Grove, Ill. native has played in all 90 of North Park's matches while starting in 85. In 2018,  Ahsltrand was named a First Team All-CCIW selection after posting a league fourth-best .307 hitting percentage and third-best 26 blocks in CCIW matches. For the season,  Ahlstrand led the  Vikings in total blocks (84, 18 solo), hitting  percentage (.296), and service aces (48). 

A Second Team  All-CCIW selection in 2017, Meyer has cemented herself as the main table-setter for the Viking offense since her freshman year.  Appearing in all but two matches through her career, the Aurora, Col. native has led the Vikings in assists every season; producing 696 in 2016, 935 in 2017, and 981 in 2018.  Meyer notched 40 or more assists in eight matches last season, and had a season-best 60 assists against Kalamazoo College (October 12). Additionally, Meyer marked a league third-best 187 assists in 21 CCIW sets. 

As a team, the 2018 squad posted a league fourth-best 1,444 kills and league-leading 2,081 digs.  A large part of that core returns in Ahlstrand, senior outside hitter Reagan Clement and junior rightside hitter Kenzie Krueger.

Clement has seen significant playing time in her three years, totaling 409 kills in 80 matches. Last year, the Brookfield, Wisc. native posted a team fourth-best 122 kills with a season-high 10 against Saint Mary's College (Sept. 21). Clement also added six service aces, 79 digs, and 15 blocks to her solid junior season.

Krueger has played in all but one match - 60 matches played, 25 starts - since arriving on campus in 2017.  A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., Krueger finished the 2018 season with team fifth-bests in kills (110) and service aces (22) while adding 22 blocks and 137 digs. 

The final Viking senior, rightside hitter Bethany Geidner, also returns to add firepower to the 2019 front row. Seeing action in 61 matches since 2016, Geidner has notched 167 kills, 54 blocks, and 13 service aces. Last season, the Ann Arbor, Mich. native saw career bests in blocks (24), kills (74), and digs (31).

Louie Peralta (outside hitter) and Bianca Tomuta (defensive specialist) both saw large batches of playing time as underclassmen and look to further expand their roles this season.

Peralta has played in 53 matches since 2017, marking 237 kills, 11 service aces, 145 digs, and 25 blocks.  The Hampshire, Ill. native had a season-high 13 kills against Kalamazoo College (Oct. 12).

Tomuta saw every day playing time as a libero and defensive specialist in 2018, playing in all 31 matches with 17 starts.  A native of Lincolnwood, Ill., Tomuta's sophomore season included team third-bests in digs (336), service aces (25), and reception percentage (.933).

Many new faces are also guaranteed to play a factor this season,  as more than half -14 out of 21 - rostered players are newcomers. 

"This team has a lot be excited about," says Coach Besancenez. "We have a lot of new players that we expect to make a huge impact on our season. In addition, our returners will play a significant role in leading us to reach our goals throughout the entire year.  We have a great group of girls who gel well together and we're anxious to see just how much this team can accomplish."

The Vikings begin the 2019 season with a five-match road trip, opening up in St. Louis, Mo. against Webster University on August 30.