COLUMBUS , Ohio – The Ohio Dominican volleyball team had another accolade come their way as Rachel Billing was recently named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association NAIA All-Region IX Team.

Billing, a 5'11 outside hitter from Anna , Ohio , was also named as the American Mideast Conference South Division Freshman of the Year. She led the Panthers with 475 kills for an average of 3.6 kills per game and 602 digs for an average of 4.56 digs per game. Billing also was tied for the team lead with 35 service aces.  more

Billing was the lone freshman on the AVCA NAIA All-Region IX Team. Shena Beheler of Mount Vernon Nazarene University was named as the Region IX Player of the Year.

"This is an outstanding accomplishment for Rachel.  It is a testament to how strong the other coaches in Region IX felt about her exceptional play this year," said Panther Head Coach Sandy Rowley.  "It is rare for a freshman to make the All-Region Team, and we are very excited that Rachel's talents were recognized her first year at ODU.  We look for great things from her for the next three seasons."

COLUMBUS , Ohio – The Ohio Dominican volleyball team landed six players on the American Mideast Conference South Division honor roll announced on Wednesday.   Headlining the list of honorees was AMC South Freshman of the Year Rachel Billing.

Billing, a 5'11 outside hitter from Anna , Ohio , was also named to the All-AMC South First Team. She led the team with 475 kills for an average of 3.6 kills per game and 602 digs for an average of 4.56 digs per game. Billing also was tied for the team lead with 35 service aces.  more

Receiving honorable mentions for the All-AMC South Team were senior outside hitter Megan Cherry ( Toledo , OH ), junior middle hitter Jessica Buzenski ( Columbus , OH ), sophomore setter Cassie Schroeder ( Columbus Grove , OH ), freshman libero Heather Kunze ( Cincinnati , OH ) and freshman outside hitter Cassie Vome ( Mason , OH ).

Cherry collected a total of 322 kills, good for third on the team. Buzenski paced the Panthers with a total of 127 blocks, 91 of those were solo. Schroeder led the team with 965 assists, while Kunze finished second on the team with 566 digs. Vome finished tied with Billing for the team lead with 35 service aces and was second with 359 kills and was third with 504 digs.

Vome also joined Billing as a member of the All-AMC South All-Freshman Team.

The Panthers finished the 2007 season with an overall mark of 17-20, an improvement of 10 wins over the previous season.

URBANA , Ohio – The Ohio Dominican volleyball team concluded an up and down season as they went 1-1 at the Urbana University Tri-Match on Friday.   The Panthers dropped their opener to the host Blue Knights, 3-1, but bounced back to cruise past Central State University in straight sets.

The young Panthers got off to a slow start dropping game one 30-22 after falling behind early.   ODU got their only win in the match in game two as they earned a 30-25 victory.   Urbana finished off the Panthers in the next two games with a 30-25 victory and 36-34 clincher in the fourth game.  more

ODU was led by senior Megan Cherry ( Toledo , OH ) as she had a game high 16 kills.   Freshman Rachel Billing ( Anna , OH ) also finished the match with 16 kills and added 27 digs for the Panthers.

In game two, the Panthers cruised to 3-0 victory past overmatched Central State University .   The Panthers had no problem with the Marauders winning the match 30-8, 30-11, 30-26.  

The Panthers were led by freshman Ashley Croy ( Ottawa , OH ) who finished with a game high 13 kills.   Sophomore Lesley Neal ( Columbus , OH ) and Chelsea Oberfield ( Newark , OH ) chipped in with 11 kills apiece as ODU finishes 17-20 on the year.   Senior Melissa Vail ( Dayton , OH ) recorded 14 digs in her final game in the black and gold.

Ohio Dominican wraps up the regular season with a 17-20 overall record and finish 3-9 in the American Mideast South Division.   

COLUMBUS , Ohio – The Ohio Dominican volleyball team was looking to send their seniors out on a high note, but came up on the short end of a five game set versus Cedarville University on Tuesday night in Alumni Hall.  

The Panthers looked sharp early as they took a 1-0 lead with a 30-26 victory in game one.   It was all Cedarville in games two and three as they took a 2-1 advantage with victories of 30-18 and 30-24, but ODU stormed back to even the score with a 30-27 victory, forcing the fifth and deciding game.   Cedarville answered to end the Panther hopes of an upset with a 15-7 victory in the final game.  more

ODU was led by junior Jessica Buzenski ( Columbus , OH ) as she recorded a career high 21 kills and nine blocks.   Freshman Rachel Billing ( Anna , OH ) added 12 kills and 24 digs in the losing effort.   Cassie Schroeder ( Columbus Grove , OH ) chipped in with 27 assists for the Panthers.

ODU returns to action in a tri-match this Friday, November 2^nd as they travel to Urbana University in their final regular season game of the season.   The Panthers open the day at 4:30 p.m. versus the host Blue Knights.