By Trevor Wenners
Assistant Director of Sports Information

The LaGrange College volleyball team has taken the next step in its evolution during the 2021 season.

The newcomers have played a vital role in changing the culture. Sophomore transfer Bre Dufault and freshmen Anna Johnston, Journey Oden, Heidi Shrontz and Maggie Vo have advanced the program.

"As for impact, we all bring different aspects to the team offensively and defensively that it is hard to talk about one thing," said Vo. "Journey and Heidi are killing it in the front row, while Bre is coming up with excellent digs in the back row. The newcomers are having a positive impact. We push this team to newer limits every day."

The Panthers (5-5, 4-2 USA South) have two regular-season conference matches left. LC plays road matches at Huntingdon Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Agnes Scott Saturday at 2 p.m. The top-four teams from the USA South West Division will qualify for the conference tournament. The Panthers currently sit in a three-way tie for third with Berea and Huntingdon.

Sophomore Bailey Moss (64 digs, 7 service aces), who has a high volleyball IQ, has been impressed with the quick and sizable impact from the five newcomers.

"The newcomers have brought an amazing hard-working mentality," said Moss. "They want to win and so do the returners. They have quickly become close with all of us, as well as head coach Madison Machurek. Each one brings a unique skill set to the table that creates a powerful force for our team. We are lucky to have all of them. I cannot wait to see what our future holds."

Oden ranks first in the USA South in total solo blocks (16), third in blocks per set (0.94) and tied for eighth in total blocks (30). During her collegiate debut, the Boaz, Alabama, native finished with career-highs of 12 kills, nine total blocks and seven solo blocks in a 3-1 USA South win over Berea on March 7.

The 5-foot-9 middle blocker has recorded three or more blocks five times and seven or more kills in seven matches. She ranks second on the team in total kills with 66.

"My quick start to the season is a direct result of my teammates," said Oden. "They push me to work hard each day we step on the court together, which makes them a huge support system in every aspect. We are a family and there is no way I could do what I do without my teammates."

Shrontz has improved in each match. She blasted a career-high nine kills in the non-conference match against Covenant on April 2. She has tallied eight digs three times and six or more kills on three occasions. The Villa Rica, Georgia, native has posted 40 digs, 35 kills and five service aces this season.

Dufault and Vo have compiled some tremendous moments in the back row. Dufault ranks seventh in the conference in digs per set (4.42) and 10th in total digs (137). She was named USA South Defensive Player of the Week on March 8.

Dufault leads the Panthers in digs and digs per set, as she finished with a career-high 30 in the season-opening triumph over Berea. The Naples, Florida, native reached double-digit digs in each of the first six matches.

"I am thankful for the LC community," said Dufault. "I joined this team ready to work and make a difference every day and game. My journey has been complicated, but I am glad I found my way to LaGrange College. I am ecstatic with all the support my team and coach give me. We are a family, and I could not ask for anything better."

Vo has compiled five or more digs five times and has a total of 41 on the year. She registered a personal-best eight digs in the second match against Covenant. The defensive specialist and setter from Villa Rica, Georgia, has chipped in with 18 assists.

Johnston, who is originally from Gordon, Alabama, has not played this season due to injury, but her potential is through the roof. The middle blocker tallied 300 kills, 198 digs, 92 blocks and 21 service aces as a senior at Northside Methodist Academy in Dothan, Alabama.

The newcomers are grateful for each other.

"As all of us were new to college life and playing a higher level of volleyball and that was the start of our chemistry on the team," said Vo. "After months of hard work, we learned to rely and look to each other for support and encouragement as we took on new challenges together. The chemistry is like no other."

Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.

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