After a historic run to their first ever National Championship match in the NCCAA Volleyball National Tournament, the Thunder are looking to make another run to the National Championship match in 2024. The Thunder went 28-4 last season, with a perfect 10-0 record in the Midwest Christian College Conference. This team is looking to win its sixth straight MCCC Regular Season & Tournament title, along with its third straight NCCAA Region title.
The Thunder return a solid core with junior captains, Liv Lubbers and Hannah Beukelman leading the way. Lubbers racked up many accolades last season as she was the MCCC and NCCAA Central Region MVP and 1st Teamer, along with being a NCCAA 1st Team All-American and the National Tournament MOP. She lead the team in kills (336) and hit 0.244 from her outside hitter position. Buekelman was an All-MCCC Honorable Mention and NCCAA Central Region 2nd Team performer. She was third on the team in kills (203) and hit 0.331 from her middle hitter position. Both Lubbers and Beukelman played in all 90 sets in 2023. Other returners include, the sophomore group of Josie Mehl, Jaiden Brewer, and Jozie Kanode. Mehl was a 1st Team All-MCCC and NCCAA Central Region performer as the primary setter, who lead the team in assists (893) and services aces (45). Brewer totaled 160 kills in her freshman campaign, while Kanode was third on the team in digs (205) and second in service aces (36).
Also, the Thunder add 8 new players, 2 transfers and 6 freshman, to last year's National Runner-Up team. Abby Blake, a Avila University transfer, was a 3rd Team All-KCAC performer in 2022 and totaled 1,111 digs in her two years for the Eagles. Jacey Schurle, a Cloud County Community College transfer, totaled 281 kills and 166 blocks in her two seasons for the Thunderbirds. A strong freshman class of Ellie Wilson, Jayda Juenemann, Jeydan Umberger, Abigail Evans, Natalie Jensen, and Malloree Matlack round out the Thunder's roster.
Head coach Lauren Sanders, who enters her 20th season at Manhattan Christian College, is excited about all aspects of her team, "Even with as young of a team as we are, our depth and volleyball IQ is stronger than we've had in several seasons. Off the court, this team is fun, outgoing, and full of strong women who love the Lord and are excited to be at MCC. I have high expectations and high hopes for this team, and cannot wait to see what they can do! Also, adding 8 new players has completely changed the look of our team in an exciting way! We have depth and competition at every position which has pushed our returners in every way. Our practices have been competitive and fun. This is the largest team I've had at MCC, and the most depth we've ever had. I've been very impressed with how hard the team is working and on how they've come together as a team so quickly."
The Thunder will head to Welch College on September 27th to play Bob Jones University in a neutral site rematch of the National Championship match from 2023.
The Thunder open their season at home at their Thunder Invitational on Friday, August 23rd and Saturday, August 24th at Howie's Activity Center (HAC). They will host the Sterling College Warriors at 3:00PM and the Langston University Lions at 7:00PM on Friday and the Cottey College Comets at 1:00PM and the Friends University Falcons at 5:00PM on Saturday.
Stay up-to date on all Thunder Athletics and Volleyball news on our social media pages!
Facebook: Manhattan Christian College Athletics
Twitter: @mccathletics & @volleyballmcc
Instagram: @mccathletics & volleyball_mcc
