Softball Team To Hold Open Workout

The Grace College softball program will be holding a Prospect Workout on June 4 and 7.

The workout seeks to target unsigned Class of 2016 and Class of 2017 prospects who would like to pursue their dreams of playing collegiate softball. Workouts on June 4 will be held 12-3 p.m. and on June 7 from 5-8 p.m. Both sessions are located at Grace’s Miller Field (910 Pierceton Rd., Winona Lake, Ind.).

Players wishing to attend the workout should email Grace College softball coach Genevieve Stoll to register at [email protected].

The Lady Lancers have experienced exponential growth over the past few seasons. Grace won 32 games in 2015, marking the most single-season victories in 21 years. The team advanced to back-to-back NCCAA World Series for the first time ever and have produced five All-American awards since 2013.

Women’s Soccer Schedule Unveiled

The Grace College women’s soccer team, fresh off an NAIA Nationals appearance, has released its slate of opponents for 2016.

The Lady Lancers will look to build on their groundbreaking campaign last fall under head coach Michael Voss in which Grace finished 15-3-3 and ranked No. 11 in the NAIA Coaches’ Postseason Top 25 Poll. The Grace roster includes several former area prep standouts, including the duo of Meredith Hollar and Abby Schue from Warsaw.

2016 GRACE WOMEN’S SOCCER SCHEDULE

Grace will warm up for the season with two home exhibitions, including against Ancilla on Aug. 11 and NCAA Div. II Cedarville at Miller Athletic Complex on Aug. 19.

Grace’s stiff non-league schedule features three teams who qualified for last year’s NAIA National Championships — all of which Grace will play on the road: 8/27 – Northwestern Ohio. Postseason ranked No. 3. Reached NAIA national semifinals;  9/1 – Martin Methodist. Postseason ranked No. 8. Reached NAIA national quarterfinals; 9/17 – Hastings. Postseason ranked No. 18. NAIA qualifier.

The Lady Lancers only other home match in the nonleague season is on Sept. 10 against Missouri Baptist.

The Crossroads League season starts on Sept. 24 with a home match against Taylor. Grace will have five home and five away league games, including hosting the centerpiece Homecoming game against Bethel on Oct. 1.

HOME: Taylor (Sept. 24), Bethel (Oct. 1), Indiana Wesleyan (Oct. 5), Spring Arbor (Oct. 15), Mt. Vernon (Oct. 19)

AWAY: Marian (Sept. 27), St. Francis (Oct. 8), Huntington (Oct. 11), Goshen (Oct. 22)

The Crossroads League Tournament runs from Oct. 29-Nov. 12. Grace is a two-time tournament runner-up.

During the 2015 season, Grace was awarded a home game for NAIA Nationals in the Opening Round — thought to be the first home NAIA game in school history. Grace will look to replicate the feat in 2016. The NAIA Opening Round is scheduled for Nov. 19 with the winners advancing to Orange Beach, Ala.

Volleyball Inks Recruit

The first signee for new Grace College volleyball coach Katie Van Hofwegen is Huntington North setter Alexa Hill.

Hill is a 5-foot-7 setter who graduated from Huntington North as the career leader in assists with 1,640. She was First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-Area as a senior.

“I chose Grace College because it fit everything I wanted in my college search. Grace has a strong Christian environment, great teammates and coach and is also close to home,” Hill said. “I’m excited to grow alongside my teammates not only in my game but in my faith as well.”

Hill, who was also Second Team All-Conference as a junior, set the school’s record for most service aces with 161. She was a two-time captain and two-time Team MVP.

Hill also impressed on the school’s softball team as an All-Conference infielder.

In the classroom, Hill boasts a cumulative GPA of 11.5 out of 11 and ranks in the top five of her class. She intends to major in elementary education during her time at Grace.

Hill, who is the daughter of Mike and Cheri Hill, lives in Huntington.