MVNU posted a 31-18 overall record in 2006 and finished 10-6 in the highly-competitive American Mideast Conference South Division. The Lady Cougars won the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region title and advanced to the NCCAA National Tournament for the sixteenth straight season. The team also qualified for the NAIA Region IX Tournament for the 13th consecutive year and advanced to the semifinals before having the season come to an end.

Heading into the 2007 season, head coach Paul Swanson sees two positives that will help his team as they attack the new campaign.

"In order to be successful each year, there are two primary things that I look for,” said Swanson, who is entering his 24th year at MVNU and stands as the NAIA’s all-time leader in wins with an overall record of 810-297. "First, the returning players have to have individual improvement, and I see that especially in our three returning sophomores. Second, the new players have to have the ability to step in and contribute right away. We have several freshmen who are working hard and should be able to contribute early in the season for us.”

Leading the Lady Cougars’ attack will be senior middle hitter Shena Beheler, who returns after a record-setting season as a junior in which she led the AMC in kills per game (4.63) and blocks per game (1.42). Beheler, who was selected as the NCCAA National Player of the Year in 2006 and was named an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American for the second straight year, enters her final season with 2,084 career kills and 737 career blocks as she ranks second on MVNU’s all-time list in both categories.

Senior Tiffany Milburn also returns after junior year in which she set school records for most serve reception attempts (1,439) and most digs (851). She will most likely be used as the Lady Cougars’ libero, but she could also see time as an outside hitter. She ranks second in school history in serve reception attempts (2,750) and sixth in digs (1,756).

"Our two seniors are both very good players who have already made a name for themselves in our conference,” said Swanson. "Right now, we are still trying to figure out the best position for each of them that will benefit the team the most. It’s a good problem to have since they are both so versatile.”

Joining Beheler at the middle hitter spot will be sophomores Stephanie Zollars and Julie Haumschild and freshmen Jackie Albrecht and Sarah Yutzy. Zollars ranked tenth in the AMC in blocks per game (1.06) as a freshman, while Albrecht and Yutzy had solid high school careers at Mansfield Christian and West Jefferson respectively. Haumschild is joining the team after playing basketball at MVNU as a freshman.

Sophomore Courtney Springer, junior Audrey Hickinbotham, and freshman Emily Walsh will lead the competition for playing time at the outside hitter position, while Beheler, Milburn, and Zollars could all figure into the mix along with freshman Abby Smith. Springer earned a spot on the AMC South Division All-Freshmen Team after averaging 2.05 kills and 0.84 blocks per game last year. Hickinbotham contributed 69 kills in 63 games last season, while Walsh was a standout at Licking County Christian Academy and Smith played at Centerburg High School.

One of the biggest question marks heading into the season will be the setter position as the starting spot is up for grabs. Sophomore Kaylin Austen saw action in 96 games last year and averaged 5.04 assists, while freshman Caitlin Myles of Centerburg High School will also compete for playing time.

In the back row, Milburn returns to anchor the Lady Cougars’ defensive effort, while Walsh, Smith, and Myles could also see playing time as defensive specialists.

MVNU’s schedule should once again prove to be challenging as the Lady Cougars look to prepare themselves for a run at the postseason. The team will compete in the Judson Invitational, the Best of the Best Tournament, and Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) Tournament as well as hosting the Papa John’s Invitational. MVNU is scheduled to play Georgetown (Ky.) College, ranked 17th in the NAIA preseason poll, and 20th-ranked Berry (Ga.) College at the Best of the Best Tournament, and the team will take on Taylor (Ind.) University and Campbellsville (Ky.) University, who both received votes in the preseason poll, in the Papa John’s Invitational.

The Lady Cougars will also compete for the AMC South Division title once again after finishing fourth last year. Defending champion Walsh University, ranked 13th in the preseason poll, will be the early favorite after going 15-1 last year with the only loss coming at the hands of MVNU. The Lady Cougars and Cedarville University both received votes in the NAIA preseason poll, while Urbana University, Ohio Dominican University, Shawnee State University, and the University of Rio Grande are all very competitive and make every AMC South Division match an important one as only the top three teams will advance to the AMC Tournament this year.

The Lady Cougars will also look to participate in the NCCAA National Tournament if they do not qualify for the NAIA National Tournament since both tournaments take place at the same time this year. MVNU has made 16 straight trips to the NCCAA National Tournament.

"We have a very challenging schedule in front of us this year,” said Swanson. "With limited playoff spots available, it is important for us to play our best each time out.”