The Lady Cougars posted a 15-7-1 overall record last season, captured the program’s fourth American Mideast Conference South Division title in the past five years, finished the year ranked No. 25 in the final NAIA poll, and advanced to the championship match of the NAIA Region IX Tournament.

With eight returning starters and a talented group of newcomers, MVNU head coach Jonathan Meade is optimistic that his team has the talent to once again post a successful campaign while also setting its sights on a shot at that thus elusive berth in the NAIA National Tournament.

"The future looks promising,” said Meade, who enters his ninth year at his alma mater with a 118-53-6 overall record. "We return eight starters from last year and have added a nice crop of young talent this season. Often, the thought is that there will be a lull when bringing in so many freshmen, but I am encouraged by what I have seen thus far. Our upperclassmen have done a nice job welcoming in the young players and helping them make the transition to the collegiate game. With the level of talent from top to bottom on this team, the players feel that we have an opportunity to reach new heights this year.”

The Lady Cougars return a pair of forwards in Page Miller and Jessica Estep who were both named NAIA Honorable Mention All-Americans last year. Miller, one of just three seniors on the squad, scored 10 goals with eight assists a year ago, while Estep, a sophomore, led the team with 22 goals in 2007 to go with three assists as she was also named the AMC South Division Freshman of the Year. Freshmen Sarah Buehler, Erin Washington, and Camille Smith will add depth up front.

"We return two great scorers in Page and Jessica,” said Meade. "This pair plays with a lot of heart and will continue the tradition of having a strong one-two punch in the striker positions for the Lady Cougars. Sarah, Erin, and Camille will each see playing time as freshmen at the forward position and could potentially add to our depth at outside midfielder as well.”

Junior Angie Misamore (1 goal, 2 assists), who was an AMC South Division Second Team pick last year, will move from her defender spot into a defensive midfield position, while senior Erin Miller (5 goals, 3 assists), junior Nikki Bruscino (1 goal, 2 assists), and sophomore Jamie Blair (1 assist) should each see considerable time in the midfield. Freshmen Courtney Ricker, Amanda Woods, and Lindsey Shaffer will also contribute in the midfield for MVNU.

"I feel good about our midfield, but we are young in our experience,” said Meade. "Angie has had a phenomenal career as a defender, but she will now help lock down the defensive midfield position while adding a new flair on the attack. Erin is an intelligent player who provides vision and simple play, while Nikki and Jamie add speed and a 1-v-1 threat on the flank. Courtney is a creative player who will make an immediate impact, and Amanda and Lindsey will compete for an outside midfield position. I am really pleased with our midfield and feel like we will have some versatility and depth that we have not had in the past.”

Defensively, senior Kelly Sgambellone (1 goal, 3 assists) returns to anchor the Lady Cougars’ back line after earning AMC South Division Second Team honors last year and helping the team post nine shutouts. Junior Mara Hughes, who started 33 matches for MVNU in her first two years, returns after a year off, and sophomore Denče Stentz is also back after playing in all 23 matches last year. In addition, Kelci Rhodes, Heidi Moeckel, and Ashley Smithberger are freshmen who could very well see a lot of playing time from day one.

"In the back, we have both experience and youth,” said Meade. "Kelly had an exceptional year playing outside back last season and I expect her to pick up where she left off. She is a solid defender who provides an excellent attacking option out of the back. Mara brings intelligence, stability, and a physicality that every back line desires. She is a great competitor and I expect her to solidify the middle of the field for us. Denče has shown that she is ready to be a consistent contributor this year. Kelci brings speed and power, while Heidi and Ashley bring size and toughness that will instantly make us better as a team. This group has a lot of potential and could be the surprise of the team this year.”

At goalkeeper, sophomore Jenessa Loewen returns in goal after making 20 starts and playing in all 23 matches last year with a 1.39 goals against average and six shutouts. She will be backed up by freshman Courtney Ball.

"Jenessa will look to improve on her first year,” said Meade. "I am really proud of her as she has worked very hard over the past year and is having a promising start to the season. Courtney is a hard worker who plays with an aggressive style. Jenessa and Courtney have already made us stronger in goal than we were a year ago.”

The Lady Cougars will once again play a challenging schedule which will get under way on August 29 with a match against Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) University, who received votes in the NAIA preseason poll, at the Olivet Nazarene Tournament before playing the host Lady Tigers. MVNU will also face the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) and NAIA No. 25 Spring Arbor (Mich.) University in the Spring Arbor Tournament on September 5-6 before hosting Spring Arbor, Judson (Ill.) College, and Notre Dame College in the Lady Cougars’ own Cougar Classic Invitational on September 12-13.

MVNU will also look to make a run at another conference title. The AMC will not be divided into divisions this year as each team will play the other 13 teams once during the regular season with the regular-season champion earning an automatic berth into the NAIA National Tournament First Round. The next six teams in the AMC standings will compete in the AMC Tournament with a second berth in the NAIA National Tournament First Round on the line for the winner under the NAIA’s new direct qualification plan. Perennial power Houghton (N.Y.) College, who is ranked No. 17 in the NAIA preseason poll, is the early favorite, while the Lady Cougars and Ohio Dominican University both received votes. Notre Dame and Walsh University round out the preseason conference top five.

"I am excited about this team,” said Meade. "This group wants to reach the summit. They are not satisfied with ‘almost’. They want to reach the mountain top and take the strong tradition of the Lady Cougars to new heights. With the leadership of the upperclassmen and the promising character and ability of the new players, I believe we have the tools to get there.”