Sam Hinrichs - Francis Marion University
Jade Rohach - Ottawa University
Former Marshalltown Community College Volleyball players Sam Hinrichs and Jade Rohach have continued to excel at the next level, helping their teams get off to strong starts in the 2015 season. Hinrichs moved on to Francis Marion University (SC) while Rohach is playing for Ottawa University (KS).
Hinrichs, who was named a team captain in her first season at Francis Marion, has helped the NCAA Division II Patriots get off to a 7-3 start. The junior has posted double-digit assist totals in every game this year, including three games of at least 20 assists while appearing in every set.
At MCC, Hinrichs, who wears No. 3 for Francis Marion just as she did as a Tiger, played in all 87 matches over the course of her career while tallying 2,465 assists, 415 kills, 141 total blocks, and 88 service aces.
On her experience at Francis Marion, Hinrichs noted the team chemistry as a primary factor in the team's success. "We have a pretty young team along with a few transfers here," Hinrichs stated, "but we have all come together in our own way. We played very well through our first two tournaments and we are looking to keep improving this year."
Rohach has been a primary contributor for the first-place Braves, a member of the NAIA, who hold a 12-3 overall record and are 5-0 in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Braves received votes in the latest NAIA volleyball rankings. Rohach has played in all 15 matches and all 56 sets on the season. The middle blocker ranks second on the team in total blocks with 32, while her 10 solo blocks are tied for first. Rohach also ranks fourth on the Braves with 91 kills.
After transferring into MCC for the 2014 season, Rohach's run as a Tiger was cut short due to an injury. However, Rohach impacted the team from the very beginning of the season, leading MCC in total blocks with 46 before being sidelined. Rohach also posted 113 kills in just 13 matches, including double-digits in each of her last five contests.
"I am enjoying Ottawa very much," Rohach exclaimed. "I feel like I made a good decision by coming here. As a team, we are doing very well. We had a 9-0 start which was the best start in a long time for our program. I'm really excited to see how the rest of the season goes. I have high hopes for our team. I feel very at home here. I've made a lot of friends and the volleyball team is a second family. Being five hours away from home gets tough, but I'm surrounded by awesome teammates that make it easier.
Rohach has enrolled in the Communications program at Ottawa.
