GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The 2025 season for women's volleyball is here as they will jumpstart their season in the Onset Tournament in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It is a busy weekend for the Golden Eagles as they play four games in a quick two-days. There is a challenge right away for #RV Cornerstone as they take on #22 Marian to open their year on Friday, August 22. They will then take on Indiana University East later in the day. On day two, the Golden Eagles open against Columbia International before ending their day against Saint Francis (Ind.). It's a perfect test for the Golden Eagles to open the 2025 year.
 
Opponent: #22 Marian
Location: Fort Wayne, Ind. (War Memorial Coliseum)
Date: Friday, August 22
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Live Video
 
Opponent: Indiana University East
Location: Fort Wayne, Ind. (War Memorial Coliseum)
Date: Friday, August 22
Time: 5:15 p.m.
Live Video
 
Opponent: Columbia International
Location: Fort Wayne, Ind. (War Memorial Coliseum)
Date: Saturday, August 23
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Live Video
 
Opponent: Saint Francis (Ind.)
Location: Fort Wayne, Ind. (War Memorial Coliseum)
Date: Saturday, August 23
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Live Video
 
Last Year Recap and Looking into This Year
It was a perfect start for the Golden Eagles last year as they opened their first week of play with a perfect 3-0 record with wins over #RV Saint Ambrose and #8 Park. The year was an up-and-down affair for women's volleyball as they would eventually finish with a 20-11 record, going 12-6 in conference, earning a four seed in the WHAC Tournament. With hopes to make a deep run playing some of their best volleyball, the Golden Eagles fell in a heartbreak in the first round of the WHAC Tournament in five sets.
 
The Golden Eagles lost key starters from last year in First Team All-Conference setter Aubrey Lenz and First Team All-Conference middle in Kylie Barron. They also lost their libero in Emma Whitley as the Golden Eagles this year look for their young talent to step up and take control. With only one senior this year in Emmalee Murphy, the Golden Eagles have the depth and young talent to be a challenge at the top of the WHAC. First Team All-Conference outside Aubrey Johnson returns for her sophomore year with Second Team All-Conference junior middle Gabby VerBerkmoes back after a stellar year. With seven new athletes this year, who will step up for women's volleyball?
 
Scouting #22 Marian/Indiana East
Marian comes into the matchup against the Golden Eagles as the #22 ranked team in the first NAIA Coaches Poll of the year after a 25-9 year in 2024, falling in a tiebreaker at the NAIA National Championship final site. With a brand-new coach this year, the Knights may look a little different in years past. Yet with a new coaching staff, Marian returns key players in Emerson Evans and Khori Dryden to lead the charge as they look towards another deep postseason run.
 
Indiana East comes into the matchup against the Golden Eagles with an already 3-1 record on the year with their one loss coming against Spring Arbor in five sets. It was an impressive year last year for the Red Wolves as they finished 27-10, losing in the first round of the NAIA National Championship. On the year, the attacking has been spread out evenly among players, but Freshman Noema Philistin-Lynch leads the way with 50 kills, but at a hitting percentage of .094. Look for her to be fed a lot of sets against the Golden Eagles.
 
Scouting Columbia/Saint Francis
Columbia International comes into the match against the Golden Eagles hungry for another great year as they finished 35-4 in 2024, losing to Marian in the first round of the NAIA National Championship. Though hungry, it may be a different year for the Rams as they lost all three of their top attackers from 2024 and their setters. This is a brand-new team in 2025.
 
Saint Francis (Ind.) comes into the matchup against the Golden Eagles with a 2-2 record on the early season. Last year was a tough season for the Cougars as they finished with an overall record of 11-19, not making their conference tournament. Junior Kendal Frey leads the way early for the Cougars in attacking with 37 kills on the year with a .084 hitting percentage.
 
Volleyball Contact: Jonny Strube
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