2025 SEASON PREVIEW: Women's Volleyball carries optimism, excitement into new season
DEFIANCE, Ohio - Expectations are high for the Defiance Yellow Jackets after a resurgence last season under first-year head coach Jeremy Thornburg. The team's 11 wins were the most since 2019 and snapped a four-year stretch with 16 total wins. Five conference wins were enough to secure a spot in the WHAC Tournament but DC was ousted by Madonna in four sets during the play-in round. Women's Volleyball was Defiance's only team to qualify for postseason play in 2024-25 and looks to carry that momentum into the new year.
Click to view the 2025 DC Women's Volleyball Media Guide
Coach Thornburg has recognized the team's growth and potential since the early days of practice. "I think this year our vision is just clearer. I think we know now what we go against every day. We know what it should look like in the gym, and I think we have a lot of motivated individuals that is just ready to attack the day," says Thornburg.
The Yellow Jackets are also fully stocked from last year's team, losing just one starter. Second Team All-WHAC performer Gabby Rodriguez and fellow junior Chaney Brodbeck combined for over 500 kills last season. Additionally, senior Jaelyn Tomoletz, who was a two-time defensive player of the week in the WHAC, also added over 250 points. Paired with defensive dynamos Shelby Clements and Kaylee Dickinson, Defiance added more weapons and depth with an 11-player recruiting class. After attracting two impactful transfers last year, Coach Thornburg was able to bring in three transfers to bolster the team. Two of those transfers are Defiance County talents moving closer to home in Ayersville's Taylor Craft and Hailey Hammer from Fairview, who both transferred from Ohio Northern. Lauryn O'Lenic, a Sylvania Northview grad, was a mid-year transfer last from Glenville State also adds size up front on the attack for DC.
"We have a core group of young ladies who are bought in to what we're doing, who see our capabilities and are trying to push our limits," says Thornburg. "We aren't resting on what we did last season and are taking that as fuel to get us better. I think now that they know what that looks like and what it could be, it just motivates them even more. I've enjoyed seeing how they attacked the offseason and now the beginning of the season."
Aquinas and Indiana Tech each qualified for the NAIA National Tournament last season and are bringing back at least one all-conference player each. The only other team that won 20 matches last season was Cornerstone, and they are the only program with two returning all-conference players. The WHAC has had four different champions in each of the last four years with the regular-season champion also claiming the tournament title each year. The 2025 WHAC Preseason Coaches Poll featured defending champion Aquinas, who went a perfect 18-0 in the league last year, in the top spot. The Saints are followed by Indiana Tech in second place and cross-town rival Cornerstone in third. Defiance was ranked eighth in the poll ahead of UM-Dearborn, Lourdes and Rochester Christian. The WHAC volleyball tournament has also been trimmed from 10 teams to eight starting this season.
"We finished better than they picked us last year and we're looking to continue that trend of being better," says Thornburg. "The goal is obviously to make the conference tournament. If you can get in, win in the first round, then all bets are off. You have to play your best ball when your best ball is needed."
The Yellow Jackets begin the season on the road at the Onset Invitational in Fort Wayne on August 22-23. All four games will be played at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. DC's home opener is Wednesday, Sept. 3 against UNOH at 7 p.m., which will also be the conference opener for the Yellow Jackets. Click here to view the full 2025 schedule.
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