LAWTON – The Cameron University volleyball team makes their 2021 debut this Tuesday and Wednesday against an unfamiliar opponent in Oklahoma Christian.

After their original season openers against UAFS were postponed last week due to COVID-19 precautions, the CU volleyball squad now begins their 12-match spring with an opponent in OC, who is competing in their first season since the program was dropped in 1983.

The Eagles, under the direction of Barry Wheeler, who came to OC from the NAIA ranks, have already played in three matches this spring, beating non-conference rival Southwestern Oklahoma in five sets and then falling to Midwestern State in a four-set match and a five-setter.

Over their first three matches, Oklahoma Christian is averaging 10.4 kills per set with an attack percentage of .177. They have racked up 24 service aces and on defense, average 1.7 blocks per set.

The OC rosters is made up of 11 true freshmen, six redshirt-freshmen, one sophomore, and a trio of juniors. One of those juniors, 5-11 middle Kelsie Schiefelbein, is averaging 1.50 kills and 0.60 blocks per set to lead the Eagles with 20.5 points through three matches.

Junior DS Kyla Chavez also has 20.5 points as she has a team-best 18 kills to go along with 5.0 total blocks. Spencer Plato (4.79 assists per set) and Jessica Souza (3.64 assists per set) have led the way in helpers while Plato leads OC with eight service aces.

As for Cameron, they return five players from the 2019 squad and head coach Brandon Stephenson has added five transfers and a trio of true freshmen.

Included in Cameron's five returners are senior setter Desiree Marmolejo and junior outside Walia Franklin. Marmolejo ranked second on the team last season with 445 assists while tallying 16 service aces and 223 digs. Franklin finished third on the team in total blocks (53.0) while racking up 165 kills on the attack.

Also back for CU are sophomores Arianna Navarrete and Caitlyn Henderson. Navarrete led the Black and Gold in kills (235) as a freshman last season and Henderson led the squad in total blocks (80.0). Sophomore Sam Friedl, who played just 16 sets last season, should see more action on the Aggies back row.

Cameron has a host of transfers that Stephenson will look to fill the open spots in the lineup. Sydney Bolin, a Cache, Okla. product and Randall University transfer, will fill in on the back row for CU, while JaLisa Hollingshed, Alanni Carter, Keyla Lara, and Natalia Araujo da Silva should all see time on the front row. CU's true freshmen, who also have a chance to see court time this spring, are setters Katie Roberson and Presley Shearin and middle Kahrizma Kyles. 

Oklahoma Christian has been utilizing a limited capacity (pass list) format for attendance for basketball and will continue that for volleyball.

Fans that are unable to go to CU volleyball games this season can watch them live on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network for a $10 24-hour PPV (pay-per-view) pass. Both matches will begin at 6 p.m. in Oklahoma City.