(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Though the volleyball team failed to return to the NCAA playoffs for a third year in a row, the Crusaders still had an impressive season, reaching the 20-win plateau for a seventh-consecutive season and advancing to the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinals.
Behind the talents of senior middle hitter Jessie Hampson (Lancaster/Lancaster) and developing underclassmen, the Crusaders put together a 14-game win streak in the middle of the season, highlighted by wins over the College of Mount St. Joseph and nationally ranked Hiram College.
Capital dropped five out of seven matches following that win streak, including losses to NCAA qualifier Heidelberg College and nationally ranked Ohio Northern University. But the Crusaders rallied to win their final two regular season games and earn the fifth seed in the OAC Tournament, and they knocked off fourth-seeded Baldwin-Wallace College in thrilling fashion. Capital’s season came to a close, though, as the team could not overcome the Polar Bears in the semifinals despite holding a two games to one lead over the eventual tournament champions.
The play of Hampson paced the way for the Crusaders, as she was named the OAC Player of the Year, All Great Lakes Region, and All-American. Hampson, a two-time OAC Player of the Year and three-time All-American, ranked second nationally in total blocks (188) and third in hitting percentage (.406), numbers that also led the OAC. Hampson, the lone senior on the roster, also tallied 513 kills, which were the third most in the OAC, and was second on the team in digs (389) and service aces (28).
In just three seasons at Capital, Hampson set the school’s career record for total blocks and block assists. In 2005, she broke the single-season marks for total blocks and block assists, and she broke the single-season record for blocks solo this season with 83. Hampson finished her career at Capital with 1,338 kills, a .372 hitting percentage, 729 digs and 574 total blocks.
Hampson received plenty of help in the middle, though, as sophomore Allison Hostetler (Dalton/Dalton) picked up Honorable Mention All-OAC accolades following the season. Hostetler finished fourth in the OAC in total blocks with 117. She played in all 31 matches and finished third on the team with 218 kills and second in hitting percentage at .331.
Fellow sophomore Sarah Gallik (Chagrin Falls/Kenston), an outside hitter, finished second on the team in both kills (288) and kills per game (2.69). Sophomore setter Jenna Zumberger (DeGraff/Fairlawn) led the team with 968 assists, just shy of reaching the top-five for a single-season total, and she also recorded a team-high 36 service aces. Another sophomore, defensive specialist Sara Doebel (Clyde/Clyde), appeared in 26 matches and recorded 252 digs, while Laura Wichman (Chardon/Chardon) played in 27 matches and made 107 kills.
A trio of juniors also saw significant playing time this season, led by Jackie Helm (Lancaster/Fisher Catholic). Helm, along with Zumberger, played in all 114 games, leading the team in digs with 489, and she also ranked among the team leaders in kills, assists, blocks and service aces. Outside hitter Kelly Steineman (New Bremen/New Bremen) and setter Kara Guster (Orrville/Orrville) played key roles for the team off the bench, as Steineman finished third on the team in blocks and Guster was second in assists.
Freshman middle hitter Megan Krebs (Reynoldsburg/Bishop Hartley) and defensive specialist Laura Buzenski (New Albany/Bishop Hartley) had key roles in their first seasons with the Crusaders. Krebs ranked third on the team in kills per game (2.34), while Buzenski tallied the second most digs with 414.