Incarnate Word softball, volleyball programs have lofty expectations

This fall, the major team sports at Incarnate Word Academy are all about, in a word, prominence.

While the defending Class 4 state champion volleyball team aims to maintain its lofty standing atop the state’s hierarchy, the softball team, according to senior pitcher/infielder Sophia Otten, aims for a return to state contention as the Red Knights will attempt to move past a 7-19 finish in 2023 towards the bygone days of five state appearances, including recent fourth-place state finishes in 2017, 2019, and 2021.

“Our goals will be to improve after every game and expand our softball IQ,” Otten said. “Also, (we want) to go out there and have a ton of fun and make lasting friendships and memories. Our final goal should be to win districts and go on to state.” 

The Red Knights will welcome seven starters back to the fold under new coach Mike McMullen, a former multisport professional athlete, which included a stint as a Major League Baseball pitcher. McMullen comes to IWA after guiding the Rosati-Kain softball program.

Amongst the seven starters back for IWA include: Otten (.390 batting average, four home runs, 18 RBI, 6-12 record, 2.87 earned run average, and 167 strikeouts in 119.6 innings), fellow senior outfielder Meghan Fowlie, a pair of juniors in catcher/infielder Charli Niemczyk and third baseman Alexis Clayborne; and sophomores in shortstop Lauryn Walker (.364, eight RBI), outfielder Erin Meriwether (.338, 11 RBI), and utility Francesca Lane.

Additionally, McMullen said he’s also going to look to a solid group of newcomers in Bella Schwetz, Maddie Daub, Anna Saltavierra, and Neveah Linhares for contributions.

“We have a strong group (coming back),” McMullen said. “We look forward to challenging ourselves with a tough schedule.”

The softball team will open its season Aug. 30 in the Jackson Tournament.

McMullen said he aims to keep things simple until everyone becomes acclimated.

“We will play hard for seven innings and, win or lose, you will know you played the Red Knights,” he said.

While the softball team looks to build, the Incarnate Word volleyball program will make every effort to maintain, especially as the IWA netters return six starters from the team that finished 31-10-1 overall and defeated St. Pius X in three games to capture the Class 4 title.

Head coach Shane Weber, who has been at the school for five years, said that while a title repeat won’t be easy, it’s not something the team will shy away from giving its best to try and achieve.

“We return our core players and starters,” Weber said. “This team should compete well and make a good postseason run once more. (It is) never easy following up being state champion but we will certainly have the means to be a solid contender once again.”

Weber said that 5-foot-10 senior outside hitter and Maryville University commit Ellie Witthaus (333 kills), 6-3 senior middle hitter and University of Houston commit Tara Greenberry (95 blocks), 5-6 senior libero Annie Fiuchs (486 serves received, 359 digs) and 5-5 sophomore libero Audrey Schaeffer (496 serves received, 281 digs) will provide a solid core for the Red Knights.

The coach added that, like any team, he feels IWA will work hard to grow together to be at its collective best when the postseason comes.

“This group knows what it takes to (be) your best in October,” Weber said. “They are a hardworking group with (lofty) expectations. I expect them to be contenders once again this season, but there is a lot of work that lies ahead of us in order to do that.”

Weber said his charges, who begin the season Aug. 30 at the Tournament of Champions in Gainesville, Fla., are a fun group.

That ‘fun’ translates to how the girls approach every aspect of the season, even through their collective mental approach.

“They are a very superstitious group, from anything to knee pads not being washed if they win to what they wear and eat pre-game,” Weber said. “They have some interesting thoughts on how success will come for us as a team, but it always seems to work, so maybe there is something to it after all.”

By Jim Faasen, Correspondent

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