• Danielle Lopez begins her second season as the head coach
• Lopez hopes to improve on last season's 19-15 record
• Bears will have to rely on several freshmen with just four sophomores on the roster

The DMACC volleyball team will open the 2022 season in the Opening Weekend Tournament at Rockford, Ill. The Bears will face Illinois Central College (ICC) and St. Clair County Community College (SCCCC) in matches on Aug. 19 and will play Kansas City (Kan.) Community College (KCKCC) and Muskegon Community College (MCC) on Aug. 20.

None of the Bears' opponents are ranked but KCKCC has received votes in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II poll.

"We're really ready for this weekend," DMACC volleyball coach Danielle Lopez said. "We want to see where we are at and what we need to improve on."

Lopez, beginning her second season as the Bears' volleyball coach, led DMACC to an 19-15 record in 2021. She said she expects to have a very competitive team this season.

"We've got a very well-rounded team and our goal is to run a pretty fast first-tempo offense," Lopez said. "We're a pretty freshman heavy team with 10 freshman and four sophomores and we're getting amazing leadership from our sophomores. Our freshmen are adjusting to our culture and doing well."

DMACC's top returnee is Sara Hansen from Hudson. Hansen, a setter, led DMACC in assists last season with 847. She was second in digs with 358 and also contributed 51 kills, 24 ace serves and 44 blocks, including 36 block assists.

Hansen capped the season by being named to the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) All-Conference First Team, the NJCAA Region XI-B All-Tournament Team, the NJCAA Region XI All-Region First Team and the NJCAA All-Academic First team.

Other returnees include utility player Karlee Timm of Victor, defensive specialist/libero Erin Bathie of Ames and right side/outside hitter Haylee Hidlebugh of Adel. Timm finished the 2021 season with 56 kills, five ace serves, 47 digs and 18 blocks and Bathie had three kills, nine ace serves and 77 digs.

Incoming freshman expected to contend for starting positions include middle blockers Monica Mirembe of Ankeny and Kylie Henry of Urbana, outside hitter/defensive specialist Zophi Hendricks of Defiance and defensive specialist/libero Kenya Prescott of Carroll.

Rounding out the roster are defensive specialist/libero Jerica Heintz of Polk City, outside hitter Maddie Dunham of Nevada, outside hitter/defensive specialist Coryl Matheny of Glenwood, setter Emma Flathers of Treynor, defensive specialist/libero Chelsea Bird of Monroe and outside hitter/defensive specialist Eden Wilson of Conrad.

"What's nice is that everyone we have recruited for this year we see filling in on the court this year or next year," Lopez said. "That is another part of them being well-rounded."

Lopez said she will use the matches in the McHenry Tournament as an opportunity to see what will and what won't work for her team.

"We've got a rotation we want to try out this weekend, but opening weekend is all about who is going to perform in game situations and things like that," Lopez said, adding that the roster is such that most of the players can play multiple positions, giving her the opportunity to move people around.

Lopez sees her team as being strong in blocking and serve receive.

"Those are two of our goals for the season," Lopez said. "We're looking good defensively and we're very happy with how it is coming along."

Lopez said her main concern this season is keeping everyone healthy.

Following the Opening Weekend Tournament, the DMACC volleyball team will open the home season against the William Penn junior varsity on Aug. 23.