Expectation levels within the UNO volleyball program can be pretty high.

Middle hitter Ellen Thommes departed as an All-American after a strong four-year career. She hit .388 despite being the focus of opponents' defense and averaged 3.2 kills per set.

Lizzy Mach, a 6-foot-2 junior, has been a starter and hit .262 last year while getting 2.1 kills per set. And for this season?

“The bottom line is, right now we can't get Lizzy Mach the ball enough,” Shires said. “She can match score for score what Ellen got for us last year.”

That's just fine, Mach said Wednesday during the team's media day.

“It starts your freshman year,” said Mach, a Wahoo Neumann graduate. “They definitely engrave it in your head what kind of player they want you to be. You just stick with it and rise to those expectations.”

That's not the only place where new starters are expected to do more than just fill a spot. They are supposed to take over.

Senior Kayla Uhing and sophomore Natalie Ebke inherit outside hitting roles previously filled by four-year regulars Kelli Goeser (2.9 kills, .226 last year) and Sara Kampschnieder (2.7, .168).

“Our two outsides are going to produce higher numbers than we've had in years,” Shires said.

More is expected from 6-foot junior Brittany Hanssen, too, after she averaged 1.6 kills and hit .211 last season while dealing with a thumb injury that required offseason surgery.

“We've relied on her in the past as a blocker, but she has become a middle hitter this year,” Shires said. “She's making great contact on the ball right now. I'm relying on Lizzy Mach and a healthy Brittany Hanssen both producing more.”

At least setter Emily Myers (10.9 assists per set) and libero Angie Reicks (4.6 digs) are constants.

UNO raced off to a strong start last season and was leading the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association at 7-1. But injuries to Thommes, Myers and Hanssen played a part in the Mavs losing nine of their final 12 league matches to finish sixth at 10-10.

The Mavs reached the Division II tournament for the sixth straight season, losing in the first round, and finished 20-14 overall. UNO, which opens the season with a tournament at Sapp Fieldhouse on Sept. 3 and 4, is the preseason pick to finish sixth again in the MIAA.

UNO didn't receive any votes in the preseason Top 25.

“When you graduate six and finished like we did last year, I understand that,” Shires said. “But I'll be disappointed if we don't end up in the Top 25 and the NCAA tournament. We're going to have some growing pains initially as we figure things out, but I haven't once faulted the effort level and the drive this team has.”

Contact the writer:

444-1027, rob.white@owh.com

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