The Oregon State volleyball team opened practice for the 2018 season on Wednesday, as the Beavers took the court for the first time in 2018. OSU will seek a return to the postseason after making its fourth-ever NCAA Tournament appearance a year ago. Oregon State returns 10 letterwinners, including five starters, from last year’s postseason run. Senior middle blockers Kory Cheshire and Maddy Gravley and sophomore outside hitter Maddie Goings each started all 33 matches in 2017, while opposite hitter Haylie Bennett played in every set as a redshirt freshman. Senior Kayla Ellis and sophomore Grace Massey are also back after splitting the libero and defensive specialist duties last season. While no starting position is safe, the most pressing position battle for the Beavers is to find who will run the offense. A pair transfers – Montanna Gubrud and Allison Hughes – as well as freshman Maddie Sheehan will battle for the setter position. The OSU coaches will also be seeking to fill the void left by the graduation of one of the best volleyball players to don the Orange & Black, Mary-Kate Marshall. Transfer Amy Underdown, freshmen Nya Buckner and Kyla Waiters have joined the program with their sights set on earning playing time early at the outside hitter position. Third-year head coach Mark Barnard looks to build on a 2017 season that resulted in a record of 21-12 season and an NCAA Tournament. The Beavers seek a second straight postseason berth for the first time in program history.
