Staci Graham, Lauretta Wallace, Tasha Konkle, Caitlin Murphy, Leslie Banichar, and Michelle Gastin have led the Lady Cougars to an 81-65 record over the past four years (.555 winning percentage). During that span, the team has won one National Christian College Athletic Association East Region Tournament (2008) and reached the championship game of the AMC Tournament twice (2008 and 2009). MVNU also took part in the 2008 NCCAA National Tournament and finished fourth.

Graham, a utility player from Marengo, Ohio, has appeared in 77 games for the Lady Cougars in a variety of positions including posting a 2-0 record on the mound in 10 appearances with 11 strikeouts. The former Highland High School product has a .265 career batting average with eight doubles, one triple, one home run, and 30 RBI. She was named to the AMC South Division Second Team, the NCCAA East Region Team, and an NCCAA First Team All-American as a sophomore.

"Staci is a team player through and through,” said MVNU coach Jeana Howald. "She is always willing when she is called upon - no matter what. I have seen her play all the infield positions and even pitch. She is a coach’s dream for always thinking of her teammates before herself.”

Wallace, an outfielder from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, has played in 124 games over the past four years for MVNU. The former Canon McMillan High School standout has a .299 career batting average with 29 doubles, nine triples, five home runs, 58 runs scored, and 49 RBI. She was also named an NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete last year and is up for those honors again as she has posted a 3.84 grade point average in the classroom.

"Lauretta is a consistent person, a leader, and strong in her belief and faith,” said Howald. "She always has a smile on her face whether she just struck out or hit a bomb to win the game. She has her priorities straight and her example and leadership will truly be missed.”

Konkle, a shortstop from Urbana, Ohio, has played and started in 145 games during her career. The former West Liberty-Salem High School star has posted a .300 career batting average with 16 doubles, one triple, one home run, 21 stolen bases, 83 runs scored, and 54 RBI. Defensively, she has committed just 29 errors at short in 629 chances and ranks fifth in school history with 331 career assists. Among her many honors, Konkle has been named to the AMC South Division First Team as a sophomore, an AMC Honorable Mention pick twice, an NCCAA East Region selection three times, and a member of the NCCAA All-National Tournament Team once. She also has a 3.75 grade point average and was an NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete last year and will be up for those honors again this season.

"Tasha may be small in stature, but she has one of the biggest hearts,” said Howald. "She has shown grit and determination like no other. She has always given all that she has and it has been fun to watch her grow as a player and a person over the past four years.”

Murphy, a catcher from Gahanna, Ohio, has started all 146 games the past four years. The former Gahanna Lincoln High School standout has posted a .295 career batting average with 29 doubles, eight triples, seven home runs, 82 runs scored, and 70 RBI. She ranks fourth in school history with 681 putouts and she has thrown out an impressive 64 baserunners trying to steal while picking off 24 others. Among her many honors, Murphy has been named to the AMC South Division First Team once, the AMC South Division Second Team once, the AMC South Division All-Freshmen Team once, the NAIA Region IX Team twice, the NCCAA East Region Team Honorable Mention twice, and the NCCAA East Region Honorable Mention once. She has also posted a 3.61 grade point average to earn NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete honors last year and is up for them again this year.

"Without a doubt, Caitlin is the best catcher to play for MVNU,” said Howald. "She has handled two conference Pitchers of the Year and even young, inexperienced pitchers all with patience, grace, and a positive attitude. I have watched her grow a lot as a person these past four years.”

Banichar, an outfielder from Shelby, Ohio, has played in all 146 games the past four years and started in 144 of them. The former Shelby High School product has posted a .318 career batting average with 21 doubles, nine triples, three home runs, 70 runs scored, and 75 RBI. She is also the program’s career leader with 46 stolen bases. Banichar is a three-time All-Conference Honorable Mention pick and NCCAA East Region selection and she was also named to the NCCAA Honorable Mention All-American Team as a sophomore.

"Leslie has matured as a player and a person over the past four years all the while maintaining a great attitude and always pushing herself to do her best,” said Howald. "Her love for those around her is evident and she has been a great influence on many people both on and off the field.”

Gastin, a first baseman from Mount Vernon, Ohio, has played in 115 career games over the past four seasons. The former Mount Vernon High School star has posted a .367 career batting average with 22 doubles, five home runs, 38 runs scored, and 72 RBI. She tied a school record with two home runs in a game earlier this year at Ohio Dominican University, and she has registered 519 putouts at first base. Gastin has been named to the NCCAA East Region Team twice and was an AMC Honorable Mention pick and an NCCAA Honorable Mention All-American as a junior.

"I have watched Michelle grow as a quiet freshman to a senior with a purpose,” said Howald. "She has matured over the past four years into a confident individual. Her compassion, friendliness, and desire to help others has been evident in how she treats her teammates.”

After Friday’s games, MVNU will wrap up conference play on Saturday at Notre Dame College with a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. The team will then have five regular-season non-conference doubleheaders remaining including a twinbill against Ohio Dominican University on May 1 at Cougar Field that has been designated as Crush Cancer Day.