Volleyball

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

NCCAA Mid-East Region Champions 1985, 1997, 1998

RECENT HEADLINES

April 15th, 2009

Eagles Sign Definance College Transfer and Setter Makayla Graves

EDON, OH - Head coach Rick Kerkhoff is please to announce the transfer of Makayla Graves to Cincinnati Christian University. Makayla will be joining her sister Nikki graves who also plays volleyball at CCU. Makayla comes to CCU after a solid freshman year at NCAA Division III Defiance College where she enjoyed a solid freshman season.

Before attending Defiance, Graves was a two year letterwinner for coach Brock Bergman at Edon High School. As a senior, Graves was named First Team All-Conference in the Buckeye Border Conference while also earning 2nd Team All-District Honors. She was also named the MVP of both the Route 49 Classic and District All-Star Game.

At Edon High School, Makayla also had a stellar academic record as she graduated as the Salutatorian of her senior class. Graves was also a member of the National Honors Society.

"Makayla is an excellent student and a well rounded young person that will be a great addition to the team this season," said head coach Rick Kerkhoff. "She is a great setter that will really help us out this upcoming season."

Graves is the most recent addition of a stellar 2009 recruiting class for CCU volleyball.

March 18th, 2009

Eagles Sign All-Conference Outside Hitter Cara Barkes from Indiana

COLUMBUS, IN – Head Coach Rick Kerkhoff is pleased to announce that Cara Barkes has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball for the Cincinnati Christian University Golden Eagles in the fall of 2009. Barkes is currently a senior at Columbus North High School where she earned 3 letters in volleyball and one in gymnastics. The past two years Barkes has been named First Team All-Area and First Team All-Conference as she led her team to a conference championship in 2008.   In the past two years, Cara’s Junior Olympic Volleyball team (Circle City Volleyball Club) qualified for the National Championship tournament. Her current Junior Olympic coach, Eugene Kim, of the Hoosierland Volleyball Club, had this to say about Barkes: "Cara plays with a level of passion that often times goes unmatched. She's a winner and a warrior and has been a thrill to work with. The beauty of it is that she is a better kid than she is a volleyball player. I am thrilled for the future partnership of Cara Barkes and Cincinnati Christian University."

“Cara Barkes is a 5’ 10” outside hitter with an explosive jump and really attacks the ball. As good as Cara is at the net, she is a polished back row player that can defend against the toughest hits,” said Head Coach Rick Kerkhoff. He continued by saying, “She is going to fill a spot that will allow us to make other personnel moves that will make us a much tougher team! I am thrilled to add a third All Conference player to our incoming class of recruits.”

Barkes will be majoring in Education while at CCU. She hopes to take advantage of the opportunities available to CCU students in service and mission trips while in college. Her passion for volleyball is only rivaled by her passion for her Lord and Savior.

December 12th, 2008

Women's Volleyball Signs Grove City Standout Monica Reis

GROVE CITY, OH - Head Coach Rick Kerkhoff is pleased to announce that Monica Reis has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball for the Cincinnati Christian University Golden Eagles in the fall of 2009. Monica will be graduating from Grove City High School in the spring of 2009. Reis has been a standout on her high school team and will be reunited with a Junior Olympic teammate, Heather Hammonds, at CCU. At Grove City High, Reis was an all conference (OCC) Honorable Mention selection. Grove City was 16-9 on the year and finished the season as a district semi-finalist. Reis led the team in serving percentage and was second on the team with 55 blocks. Monica will be majoring in elementary education while attending CCU.

"Bringing on Monica is a huge addition for CCU volleyball," said Head Coach Rick Kerkhoff. "She will balance out the height in our lineup as she is the second 6 foot player signed for next year. Our team will take on a whole new dynamic with improved blocking and hitting. Monica is very athletic and has just started to scratch her potential as a volleyball player."

September 15th, 2008

CCU Signs Heather Hammonds From Newark High School

NEWARK, OH - Head Coach Rick Kerkhoff is pleased to announce that Heather Hammonds has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball for the Cincinnati Christian University Golden Eagles in the fall of 2009. Heather becomes the first signed recruit for the class of 2009. Heather is currently a senior at Newark High School in Newark, Ohio just outside of Columbus. Hammonds has been a standout in high school as well as on her junior olympic club team in the Westland Volleyball Club. At Newark High School, Hammonds helped lead her team to back to back district runner-up finishes the past two years and hopes to improve on that in 2008. As a junior, Heather received all conference (OCC) Honorable Mention recognition. She also lead her team with the highest serving percentage in 2007. Heather is interested in studying education as well as vocal music.

"Signing a quality athlete like Heather was critical for CCU as we complement our current outstanding defense with some added height," said Head Coack Rick Kerkhoff. "Heather will give us the ability to take our play to the next level. As a six footer with great leaping ability, she will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact on the team and will see significant playing time as a freshman. Heather is not just an athlete, she is a committed Christian athlete who exemplifies the type of person that we are targeting for 2009. She will not only be a great addition to our team but she will be a blessing to the entire campus community."