The Wilmington College volleyball team, picked to finish last in the OAC this season, is ready for year two of the Beth Floyd era. The Fightin' Quakers put last season's one-win year behind them, and are barreling full speed ahead.

"I am really looking forward to this year," said Wilmington volleyball head coach Beth Floyd. "We have a nice blend of experience in our upperclassmen that has produced some pretty good individual numbers. We want to translate those into good team numbers, and I am really looking forward to our freshman class. It's a strong class with a lot of volleyball skill."

The biggest point of enthusiasm for Wilmington is the depth that will provide competition in practice.

"I think it's very important to compete in practice," said Floyd. "By competing in practice, it will push you to do your best. The way you practice is the way you are going to play in the game."

In addition to depth, Floyd likes the diversity in her lineup, "We have some players that have the ability to play a couple of positions, and that versatility will really help us out. It's nice to have some depth to this team. We have been missing depth with small numbers, and we have them were we need them to be to have competitive practices."

Junior Tabby Biegler (Columbus, OH/Briggs) and senior Ashley Miller (Arcanum, OH/Franklin Monroe) return after combining for 249 kills in 2013. Biegler finished the year with a team-high 142, while Miller added 107.

Freshman Catlin Pauley (Kenton, OH/Riverdale) finished the season with 67 kills, and will be looking to make a bigger and more consistent impact on the Wilmington offense.

Several freshmen – Kennedy Harshaw (Xenia, OH/Xenia), Hannah Kockentiet (Alpha, OH/Dayton Christian), Mallory Toops (South Charleston, OH/Southeastern), Becca Harting (Farmersville, OH/Valley View) and Lexi Butler (Lexington, OH/Lexington) could all find themselves in the rotation.

Junior Ariana Neff (Naples, FL/Gulf Coast) returns for third season as the starting setter. She distributed more than 70 percent of Wilmington's assists, and finished with 322 last season. Freshman Kara Short (Conover, OH/Fairlawn) will push Neff for playing time.

Pass receptions will be key for WC as Biegler led the team with 233 digs, but the Fightin' Quakers must replace a lot of production. Junior transfer Emily Oberschlake (West College Corner, IN/Union County) could step as a defensive specialist/libero and drastically improve WC in that area.

Senior Emily Regan (Columbus, OH/Briggs), sophomore Noel Cain (Dayton, OH/Archbishop Carroll) and freshman Kaleigh Trevino (Vandalia, OH/Butler) will also be options for Floyd along the back line.

Helping the Quakers defense will be their ability to play bigger at the net as senior McKenzie Kilburn (Huber Heights, OH/Wayne) makes the transition to the volleyball court.

Freshmen Uniqua Newby (Columbus, OH/South) and Eleanor Wildey (New Richmond, OH/New Richmond) will be blocking at the net.

Wilmington opens the season August 29 at Ohio Wesleyan's Bishop Invitational.