Three Volleyball Players Receive Conference Honors

The Edison State Community College volleyball team recently finished their winning season with a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 12 tournament appearance. Following their successful season, three volleyball players have been named recipients of postseason awards from the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) for the 2023 season.

Taylor Lessing, of Sidney, has been named Setter of the Year and All-OCCAC First Team. Lessing, a 5-foot-4-inch sophomore, put up a total of 477 assists, averaging an impressive 10.37 assists per set in conference play.

"This is the second year Taylor has been named Setter of the Year for the OCCAC," Head Volleyball Coach Julia Brandewie said. "She had 1,240 assists this season and 1,904 career assists at Edison State, which is the record for assists at the College. Taylor is also a 4.0 student. She's a very quick athletic setter, and she's willing to take risks and put the ball exactly where our hitters need it."

Brooklyn Bourne, of Celina, has been named All-OCCAC First Team. Bourne, a 5-foot-7-inch freshman outside hitter, earned a total of 188.5 points, 164 digs, 166 kills, and nine blocks in 12 conference games this season.

Brandewie said, "Brooklyn's a true competitor and tremendous athlete. Her court awareness and decision-making skills as a freshman are impressive. She can move the ball around well and find different ways to score. Brooklyn also made the NJCAA Region XII District A All-Tournament team."

Joining Lessing and Bourne on the All-OCCAC First Team is Graceanne Slade of Covington. Slade, a 5-foot-11-inch middle hitter, earned a total of 149 points, 34 digs, 128 kills, and 21 blocks in conference play during her sophomore season.

"Grace has really come out of her shell this year and grown into a force to be reckoned with in the middle. She also made the NJCAA Region XII District A All-Tournament team," said Brandewie.

"All three of these young women are phenomenal athletes, but they're even better teammates," Brandewie added. "They all work so well together and are willing to put the team before themselves."

The Lady Chargers ended the regular season 26-8 overall and 9-3 in the OCCAC. They participated in postseason play during the NJCAA Great Lakes District Tournament, finishing as District A Runner-Up.

For more information, visit athletics.edisonohio.edu.