Abby Smith, Sarah Yutzy, Caitlin Myles, and Jackie Albrecht have helped lead MVNU to a 151-29 overall record (.839 winning percentage) over the past four years. The Lady Cougars have won four National Christian College Athletic Association East Region titles, played in two NCCAA National Tournaments with a runner-up finish in 2009, captured one conference title in 2007, and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in program history in 2007.

Smith, an outside hitter from Centerburg, Ohio, has played in 90 sets during her four seasons at MVNU. The former Centerburg High School product has compiled 27 kills, four blocks, 14 aces, and 78 digs during her career. This season, she has played in a career-high 51 sets and posted career highs in kills (23) and digs (37).

"Abby's contributions to Lady Cougar volleyball have been multi-dimensional,” said MVNU coach Paul Swanson. "She is a quality player who has improved each year. She is an excellent student who is preparing herself to be an outstanding Health and Physical Education teacher. She is an intelligent and intense competitor who continually challenges our team to play hard and smart. She is also a great teammate who our players have appreciated immensely. I have known Abby since the fifth grade and have grown to admire and respect her as a person and a player. We will all miss her tremendously.”

Yutzy, a middle hitter from West Jefferson, Ohio, has played in 517 sets during her four years with the Lady Cougars including all but one set the past three years. The former West Jefferson High School standout has compiled 65 assists, 36 aces, 444 digs, and ranks eleventh in school history with 480 blocks. She also recently became the 23rd player in school history to top the 1,000-kill mark and now has 1,028. She was an NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete last year and has a 3.63 grade point average, and she was an AMC Second Team pick a year ago and a member of the NCCAA East Region Team this year.

"Sarah has been an important component of our team since she arrived,” said Swanson. "She is a very high character person who has had a big influence on our team's spiritual life and cohesion. She also really developed as a player from can she play to being an All-Conference type middle hitter. I am so thankful for the impact Sarah has had on our volleyball program. The team and I are blessed because we have had the privilege of having her on our team.”

Myles, a libero from Centerburg, Ohio, has played in 527 sets over the past four years. The former Centerburg High School graduate has tallied 88 assists, 89 aces, and 21 kills in her career. She currently ranks first in school history in career serving percentage (.984) and is tied for first in serve reception percentage (.948), and she also ranks fourth in career digs with 2,268. She was an AMC Honorable Mention pick last year and an NCCAA East Region Team honoree this season. She is just 58 digs shy of tying the school's single-season record of 851.

"I have known Caitlin since the second grade,” said Swanson. "I am so impressed with what a delightful person and great player she has become. She is one of the best back row players in MVNU history. Her excellent ball control skills have impressed the team and me and have been a crucial aspect of our success. There is no doubt that the kind of person and player that she has become will be missed by all.”

Albrecht, a middle hitter from Lexington, Ohio, has played in 629 sets over the past four years. The former Mansfield Christian School star ranks third in school history in career kills (2,277), seventh in career digs (2,037), eighth in career serve attempts (2,583), ninth in career aces (173), and tenth in career blocks (484). Among her many accolades, she has been a two-time AMC First Team selection, a three-time NCCAA East Region Player of the Year honoree, and a two-time NAIA All-American. She was also selected as the NCCAA National Player of the Year last year as well as being the AMC Player of the Year.

"What a great career Jackie has had,” said Swanson. "There is no doubt she is one of the finest all-around players to put on a Lady Cougar uniform. She has been loaded with so many honors and awards – all of which she has deserved. The players and I will remember Jackie as a great player for sure, but we will miss even more her great personality, humor, spiritual commitment, humbleness, and her concern for others. She has truly been a great teammate.”

The Lady Cougars are currently 39-3 overall and 9-0 in the AMC. The winner of Thursday's match between MVNU and Walsh will host the five-team AMC Tournament on November 12-13 with the winner of that single elimination event earning the conference's automatic berth into the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round on November 20.