It’s a question the Ursinus Bears will ask themselves heading into the 2025 season, after a year they’ll never forget. Ursinus volleyball earned their first playoff spot in the program’s history a year ago, sneaking into the Centennial Conference playoffs as the 6th seed. It was a team of destiny, one that was sparked by some incredible contributions from a talented junior class.
A year later, Ursinus will look to build on the strong season, returning most of their core. Last year’s skilled juniors will look to lead this team to prosperity once again, having tasted the fruits of their labor. Their leadership and talent will likely be the difference, in what has become the biggest season in Ursinus history.
Killing It On The Court
Ursinus’s offense this season has seriously struggled, ranking second-to-last in the conference. But one factor which has kept the Bears from hitting rock-bottom has been the steadiness of Senior Mel Egilton offensively.
Egilton has been all over the floor, leading the team in Kills per serve and points. Her ability to score points as a middle blocker showcases her talent, utilizing her physicality to quickly redirect serves. The length and athleticism she brings to this Bears team is well-needed, especially against larger and more athletic Centennial opponents.
Lexi Couch ‘26 has also continued strong from last season, taking on an even bigger role offensively. Second on the team in points and kills/serve, Couch does a great job as an Outside Hitter. Her communication and leadership on the court have been crucial, ensuring that the Bears are in sync when tracking the ball. Ursinus’s ceiling likely lies in the hands of the health of Egilton, a true key cog in this team.
Building up Blocks
Defensively was where the Bears won matches a year ago, dominating games through their athleticism and ability to create blocks. It’s a theme Ursinus has attempted to carry over into 2025.
Bears Senior Zoe George has been a key contributor for the team on the defensive end, with an average of 0.43 blocks/serve, second on the team. George does a great job getting vertical as a middle blocker, looking to thwart the towering sets of any opponent.
The Bears aren’t just looking to carry over trends from last year’s squad though. Senior Erin Dychdala has looked to help the Bears defensively in an area they struggled a year ago: keeping the ball in the air for long possessions.
Dychdala leads the team in digs per serve, making all kinds of diving plays to keep the ball in play at all times. This allows for longer possessions, which can work to tire out the opposition. It’s an area that’s a work in progress for the Bears, but one that already looks improved from a year ago, with the help of Dychdala’s hustle.
While the Bears’ senior leadership has gone a long way this season, they still face an uphill battle to reach the postseason once again. The team has started just 2-6, losing their last 3 nonconference games. Hope remains, however, through the strong leadership of a group that has experienced winning volleyball. Can they change the trajectory of this program one final time? Recent history tells us not to count them out.