Photo by: Scobel Wiggins/Oregon State Athletics
2018 Season Wrap-Up
December 17, 2018 | Women's Volleyball
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2019
• The Oregon State coaching staff has secured the signatures of three student-athletes set to arrive on campus this summer. Mary Kate Lopez, a setter from Mount Prospect, Ill., Cecilee Max-Brown, an outside hitter from White Rock, B.C., and Mykenna Nelson, a defensive specialist from Phoenix, Ariz., will arrive as a reinforcements for the Beavers in 2019.
• While all three freshmen will compete for playing time, the anticipated return of middle blocker Kory Cheshire will likely have the most immediate impact next fall. Cheshire, who is a two-year starter, missed the entire 2018 season due to an undisclosed injury. She will apply to the NCAA for another year of eligibility, which is expected to be granted.
• Fellow senior Shekinah Clarke, who missed most of the 2018 season due to a knee injury, is also expected to apply for a fifth-year of eligibility.
THE 2018 SEASON
   Oregon State, coming off a 21-11 season and the program's fourth NCAA Tournament appearance, recorded five-set wins at No. 21 Iowa State and No. 23 San Diego and registered undefeated weekends at the Rose City Showdown and the SDSU/USD Challenge to finish the preseason with a record of 10-2.
   Despite using three inexperienced setters and losing starting middle blocker Kory Cheshire and back-up outside hitter Shekinah Clarke to season-ending injuries, the Beavers were riding a five match win streak entering Pac-12 play.
   The lineup was further depleted in the Pac-12 opener when starting right-side hitter Haylie Bennett went down (missing two weeks).
   The Beavers struggled the rest of the way as inexperienced players at key positions were forced to adjust to the Pac-12. OSU beat Arizona State 3-1 in Tempe for the second straight year and played their way into nine five-set matches, including winning two out of four against ranked squads.
DIGGING INTO THE CAREER RECORD BOOK
• Senior Kayla Ellis finished her career with 1,487 digs to rank third all-time in Oregon State history. Ellis averaged 3.22 digs per set, good for fifth on OSU's all-time list,over her career despite playing her final season and a half as a defensive specialist.
• Fellow senior Maddy Gravley completed her career with 278 blocks, the 13th-most in OSU history. Gravley, a two-year starter for the Beavers, was the team's best blocker in 2017 and '18.
• Sophomore Grace Massey has 993 digs throug two seasons in Corvallis. She'll be expected to become the 16th player in OSU history to reach the 1,000 dig mark early in 2019.
• Sophomore Maddie Goings has converted 714 times in her two-year career ranking 30th on OSU's all-time kills list.
CAN YOU DIG IT?
• Grace Massey collected 560 digs as the Beavers' libero in 2018. That is the most by a sophomore in Oregon State history and is the third-most in OSU single season history. In addition, she averaged 4.63 digs per set for the season, the third-highest rate in OSU history and again, the highest by a sophomore.
PUTTING THE ROOF ON
• Senior middle blocker Maddy Gravley tallie 129 blocks for 1.08 blocks per set in 2018. Her 129 blocks rank as the fifth-most in a season by a senior in OSU history, while her 1.084 b/s is seventh. Of those blocks, 115 were of the block assist variety, ranking third in a senior season at Oregon State.
• In addition, redshirt freshman Lindsey Schell totaled 98 rejections good for eighth in a freshman season at OSU.
KILLING IT
• Amy Underdown led the Beavers in 2018 with 406 kills, which ranks as the eighth-most for a junior in OSU history.
• Maddie Goings was second on the squad with 393 kills ranking sixth in Oregon State history among sophomores. Goings' 3.25 kills per set rank sixth among OSU sophs.
SETTING THE TABLE
• Setter Maddie Sheehan registered 973 assists in her first season at Oregon State, which ranks as the fourth-most by a freshman in OSU history. Her 8.61 assists per set rank fifth among OSU freshmen.
TOP OF THE PAC
• Oregon State ranked sixth in the Pac-12 with 2.33 blocks per set.
• The Beavers were also fourth in the conference with 15.78 digs per set.
• Grace Massey finished the season ranked fifth in the league with 4.63 digs per set.
• Maddie Sheehan ended the year ranked eighth in the Pac-12 with 8.62 assists per set.
SENIORS
• The Oregon State volleyball program honored four student-athletes prior to its final home match of the season. The Senior Night ceremony honored Shekinah Clarke, Kayla Ellis, Maddy Gravley and Daniela Vargas.
• Clarke is expected to graduate with a degree in public health this summer and is expected to petition for another year of eligibility after missing most of the season due to injury.
• Ellis is scheduled to graduate with a degree in kinesiology in June.
• Gravley is on target to graduate with a degree in biology with an option in pre-med in the fall.
• Vargas is on track to graduate with a degree in business with a minor in new media communications in June.
ACES
• Libero Grace Massey was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week following the opening week of the season. Massey accumulated a conference-high 65 digs at the Iowa State Challenge and was named as a tournament co-MVP.
• Setter Maddie Sheehan was named as the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week following the SDSU/USD Challenge. Sheehan tied her season-high (to that date) with 44 assists and added career-bests with six kills and five blocks in a win over San Diego.
• Middle blocker Serena Bruin came off the bench to record 12 block assists at San Diego State. Her 12 block assists tied for the second-most in a single match in OSU history.
• The day after Bruin's feat, fellow middle blocker Maddy Gravley posted 12 blocks of her own at San Diego, including 10 block assists, which rank tied for ninth on the school's all-time list.
ALL-ACADEMIC HONORS
• Six Oregon State volleyball student-athletes were named to the Pac-12 All-Academic team
• Grace Massey was awarded her first all-academic nod earning first team honors.
• Haylie Bennett, Makenna Browne and Lindsey Schell were also selected to the second team. It is the first all-academic honors of their careers as well.
• Kayla Ellis and Maddy Gravley each earned honorable mention recognition for the third time in their careers.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS
• SDSU/USD Challenge - Amy Underdown was chosen as the MVP after leading the team in kills in each match as the Beavers went 3-0 including a five-set upset of No. 23 San Diego. Maddy Gravley was also named to the all-tournament team.
• K-State Invitational - Haylie Bennett and Maddie Sheehan were named to the all-tournament team.
• Iowa State Challenge - Maddie Goings and Lindsey Schell were each named to the Iowa State Challenge All-Tournament Team and Grace Massey was selected as a tournament co-MVP on the season's opening weekend.
HALL OF FAME
• In October, Oregon State held an OSU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2018 induction ceremony. Among this year's inductees was the 1969-70 and 1970-71 Oregon State volleyball teams.
• The 1969-70 team captured the Pacific Northwest Trophy and won their first 21 matches. The team finished 23-3 making it to the "Sweet 16."
• The 1970-71 team gained momentum at the end the of the season and advanced to the "Elite Eight" going 5-1 in the postseason for an overall mark of 22-8.
OFF THE BENCH
Oregon State volleyball fans are encouraged to join Off the Bench, the program's donor club. Click here for more information or call Alex Gary in Our Beaver Nation at 541-737-2370.
SOCIAL MEDIA
• Fans are encouraged to follow the Oregon State volleyball program via social media. There are several platforms to follow the team including:
• Twitter: @BeaverVBall
• Instagram: @BeaverVBall
• Facebook: /BeaverVBall
• The Oregon State coaching staff has secured the signatures of three student-athletes set to arrive on campus this summer. Mary Kate Lopez, a setter from Mount Prospect, Ill., Cecilee Max-Brown, an outside hitter from White Rock, B.C., and Mykenna Nelson, a defensive specialist from Phoenix, Ariz., will arrive as a reinforcements for the Beavers in 2019.
• While all three freshmen will compete for playing time, the anticipated return of middle blocker Kory Cheshire will likely have the most immediate impact next fall. Cheshire, who is a two-year starter, missed the entire 2018 season due to an undisclosed injury. She will apply to the NCAA for another year of eligibility, which is expected to be granted.
• Fellow senior Shekinah Clarke, who missed most of the 2018 season due to a knee injury, is also expected to apply for a fifth-year of eligibility.
THE 2018 SEASON
   Oregon State, coming off a 21-11 season and the program's fourth NCAA Tournament appearance, recorded five-set wins at No. 21 Iowa State and No. 23 San Diego and registered undefeated weekends at the Rose City Showdown and the SDSU/USD Challenge to finish the preseason with a record of 10-2.
   Despite using three inexperienced setters and losing starting middle blocker Kory Cheshire and back-up outside hitter Shekinah Clarke to season-ending injuries, the Beavers were riding a five match win streak entering Pac-12 play.
   The lineup was further depleted in the Pac-12 opener when starting right-side hitter Haylie Bennett went down (missing two weeks).
   The Beavers struggled the rest of the way as inexperienced players at key positions were forced to adjust to the Pac-12. OSU beat Arizona State 3-1 in Tempe for the second straight year and played their way into nine five-set matches, including winning two out of four against ranked squads.
DIGGING INTO THE CAREER RECORD BOOK
• Senior Kayla Ellis finished her career with 1,487 digs to rank third all-time in Oregon State history. Ellis averaged 3.22 digs per set, good for fifth on OSU's all-time list,over her career despite playing her final season and a half as a defensive specialist.
• Fellow senior Maddy Gravley completed her career with 278 blocks, the 13th-most in OSU history. Gravley, a two-year starter for the Beavers, was the team's best blocker in 2017 and '18.
• Sophomore Grace Massey has 993 digs throug two seasons in Corvallis. She'll be expected to become the 16th player in OSU history to reach the 1,000 dig mark early in 2019.
• Sophomore Maddie Goings has converted 714 times in her two-year career ranking 30th on OSU's all-time kills list.
CAN YOU DIG IT?
• Grace Massey collected 560 digs as the Beavers' libero in 2018. That is the most by a sophomore in Oregon State history and is the third-most in OSU single season history. In addition, she averaged 4.63 digs per set for the season, the third-highest rate in OSU history and again, the highest by a sophomore.
PUTTING THE ROOF ON
• Senior middle blocker Maddy Gravley tallie 129 blocks for 1.08 blocks per set in 2018. Her 129 blocks rank as the fifth-most in a season by a senior in OSU history, while her 1.084 b/s is seventh. Of those blocks, 115 were of the block assist variety, ranking third in a senior season at Oregon State.
• In addition, redshirt freshman Lindsey Schell totaled 98 rejections good for eighth in a freshman season at OSU.
KILLING IT
• Amy Underdown led the Beavers in 2018 with 406 kills, which ranks as the eighth-most for a junior in OSU history.
• Maddie Goings was second on the squad with 393 kills ranking sixth in Oregon State history among sophomores. Goings' 3.25 kills per set rank sixth among OSU sophs.
SETTING THE TABLE
• Setter Maddie Sheehan registered 973 assists in her first season at Oregon State, which ranks as the fourth-most by a freshman in OSU history. Her 8.61 assists per set rank fifth among OSU freshmen.
TOP OF THE PAC
• Oregon State ranked sixth in the Pac-12 with 2.33 blocks per set.
• The Beavers were also fourth in the conference with 15.78 digs per set.
• Grace Massey finished the season ranked fifth in the league with 4.63 digs per set.
• Maddie Sheehan ended the year ranked eighth in the Pac-12 with 8.62 assists per set.
SENIORS
• The Oregon State volleyball program honored four student-athletes prior to its final home match of the season. The Senior Night ceremony honored Shekinah Clarke, Kayla Ellis, Maddy Gravley and Daniela Vargas.
• Clarke is expected to graduate with a degree in public health this summer and is expected to petition for another year of eligibility after missing most of the season due to injury.
• Ellis is scheduled to graduate with a degree in kinesiology in June.
• Gravley is on target to graduate with a degree in biology with an option in pre-med in the fall.
• Vargas is on track to graduate with a degree in business with a minor in new media communications in June.
ACES
• Libero Grace Massey was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week following the opening week of the season. Massey accumulated a conference-high 65 digs at the Iowa State Challenge and was named as a tournament co-MVP.
• Setter Maddie Sheehan was named as the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week following the SDSU/USD Challenge. Sheehan tied her season-high (to that date) with 44 assists and added career-bests with six kills and five blocks in a win over San Diego.
• Middle blocker Serena Bruin came off the bench to record 12 block assists at San Diego State. Her 12 block assists tied for the second-most in a single match in OSU history.
• The day after Bruin's feat, fellow middle blocker Maddy Gravley posted 12 blocks of her own at San Diego, including 10 block assists, which rank tied for ninth on the school's all-time list.
ALL-ACADEMIC HONORS
• Six Oregon State volleyball student-athletes were named to the Pac-12 All-Academic team
• Grace Massey was awarded her first all-academic nod earning first team honors.
• Haylie Bennett, Makenna Browne and Lindsey Schell were also selected to the second team. It is the first all-academic honors of their careers as well.
• Kayla Ellis and Maddy Gravley each earned honorable mention recognition for the third time in their careers.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS
• SDSU/USD Challenge - Amy Underdown was chosen as the MVP after leading the team in kills in each match as the Beavers went 3-0 including a five-set upset of No. 23 San Diego. Maddy Gravley was also named to the all-tournament team.
• K-State Invitational - Haylie Bennett and Maddie Sheehan were named to the all-tournament team.
• Iowa State Challenge - Maddie Goings and Lindsey Schell were each named to the Iowa State Challenge All-Tournament Team and Grace Massey was selected as a tournament co-MVP on the season's opening weekend.
HALL OF FAME
• In October, Oregon State held an OSU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2018 induction ceremony. Among this year's inductees was the 1969-70 and 1970-71 Oregon State volleyball teams.
• The 1969-70 team captured the Pacific Northwest Trophy and won their first 21 matches. The team finished 23-3 making it to the "Sweet 16."
• The 1970-71 team gained momentum at the end the of the season and advanced to the "Elite Eight" going 5-1 in the postseason for an overall mark of 22-8.
OFF THE BENCH
Oregon State volleyball fans are encouraged to join Off the Bench, the program's donor club. Click here for more information or call Alex Gary in Our Beaver Nation at 541-737-2370.
SOCIAL MEDIA
• Fans are encouraged to follow the Oregon State volleyball program via social media. There are several platforms to follow the team including:
• Twitter: @BeaverVBall
• Instagram: @BeaverVBall
• Facebook: /BeaverVBall
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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