On Sept. 1, Women’s Volleyball kicked off their season and will face Case Western Reserve University in their first home opener on Sept. 13, who previously swept the Yellow Jackets in the 2022 season. 

The team was faced with a major change in the 2022 season as they added new head coach, Kristina Fultz, to the roster. Fultz joining so late in the summer forced her to learn and adapt to her coaching styles quickly and close to the upcoming season creating some challenges, said Nicole Logan, a senior education major and captain of the women’s volleyball team. 

“The team is blessed to have someone new like her who has a high volleyball IQ and the desire to create a close family culture,” Logan said.  

The Yellow Jackets also added their first-ever graduate assistant to the team, Sophie Chacon. Chacon graduated from the University of Maryland Eastern Shores and during her time there, she appeared in 47 matches and recorded 607 assists, 47 kills, 32 service aces and three blocks. Chacon is completing a Master of Public Health during her time here at Baldwin Wallace. 

Despite adding a new head coach, the Yellow Jackets plan to face a lot of adversity on the court this year as they face Juniata, returning Division III national champions, on Oct. 14 at the Ursprung Gymnasium. The team also has a difficult conference ahead of them as they face the Otterbein Cardinals, Marietta Pioneers, and the Mount Union Purple Raiders.  

With the addition of three new first-years, a first-ever graduate Assistant and Coach Fultz coming in with one year under her belt, the Yellow Jackets are looking to challenge and compete with the top teams this year in the OAC.