2012 Record: 17-19, 8-3 NEAC
 
2012 Postseason Results:
Defeated Keuka, 3-1 in the NEAC Quarterfinals
Lost in the NEAC Semifinals to Gallaudet, 3-0
Defeated Valley Forge Christian, 3-0 in the NCCAA East Region Semifinals
Lost in the NCCAA East Region Final to Cairn, 3-1
 
Key Losses: Lauren Heliger (405 kills, 618 digs in 2012 – 1^st Team All-NEAC, NCCAA 1^st Team All-American); Lauren Daniels (425 kills, 404 digs, 58 blocks in 2012 – 2^nd Team All-NEAC, NCCAA East Region 1^st Team); Naomi Martin (102 kills, 24 blocks in 2012)
 
Additions: Rachel Olson (Sophomore, had 119 kills, 211 digs in 2011), Emily Timberlake (Junior, had 115 assists and 24 digs in 2011), Aubrey Folger (Sophomore, 1^st season), Rachel Laubach (Sophomore, 1^st season), Emily Olson (Freshman, 1^st season)
 
Returners:
Faith Scheuerman: 41 digs in 2012
Tricia Coale: 128 digs in 2012
Hannah Metzler: 3^rd Team All-NEAC in 2012, 137 kills, 733 assists, 304 digs
Joanna Butala: Team-high 49 aces in 2012, 268 digs as well
Whitney Longacre: Five kills in limited action last season
Grace Scheuerman: 117 kills, 34 aces and 350 digs in 2012
Katie Coomber: 146 kills, 42 aces, 173 digs in 2012
 
The 2013 Lancaster Bible women's volleyball season will be one of transition as the Chargers will be without program mainstays, Lauren Heliger, Lauren Daniels and Naomi Martin. Heliger and Martin have graduated (Miss Heliger is now Mrs. Turner as she and her husband Andrew were married this summer), while Daniels decided not to return to school because of personal reasons.
 
Transition however, does not mean the 2013 Chargers are throwing in the towel. A new crop, with some additions from previous teams, has emerged and is ready to continue the Charger way of playing tough volleyball and not giving in on a single point. Known for its toughness and willing to battle anyone on any night, the Chargers will once again be a thorn in opponents' sides.
 
Junior Katie Coomber and sophomore Hannah Metzler have taken the leadership reigns as the Chargers will look to make the NEAC playoffs for the third time in three seasons. Despite the losses of Heliger, Daniels and Martin, Chargers' Head Coach Lauren Bewley feels that the seven returning players from last season's team have already helped make the transition an easier one.
 
"The team dynamic and relationship is already really strong," Bewley said. "The past couple of seasons, when we've been in trouble, it was find Heliger, find Daniels, but this season, everyone will have shared responsibilities on the court. Everyone has to contribute for us to be successful and I think that is a good thing."
 
While there may not be a "star player" as in years past, Bewley said she is excited for a couple of ladies to "make the leap" this season, specifically Coomber, who as a junior, is the longest tenured player on the young squad.
 
"Katie is one of our captains this season and our only three-year player," Bewley said. "She continues to grow on and off the court and it is really exciting to see her want that growth. She doesn't go through the motions, she always wants to learn and it her hard work has paid off for her."
 
Bewley also mentioned sophomore Grace Scheuerman, who along with her sister Faith, made Horst Athletic Center a second home this summer, and her impact on this season's team.
 
"Grace's speed has improved and she is going to play a key role defensively for us," Bewley said."
 
Junior Emily Timberlake and sophomore Rachel Olson will also return to the Chargers in 2013 after not playing in 2012. Olson finished third on the team in kills as a freshman in 2011, while Timberlake added 117 assists as Coomber's backup.
 
As was mentioned previously, the LBC women's volleyball program has been known for its tough, hard-working style for several years and has been continuously complimented by opposing coaches. When asked if this was another one of those teams, Bewley said she thinks this team will have to be.
 
"They need each other on the floor," Bewley said. "There will be some bigger roles for some girls, but there is the potential for everyone to have a contributing role on this team. There are no seniors and we need everyone to be ready."
 
Someone who is helping the Chargers get ready is new assistant coach Nate Hasty. Hasty played on the LBC men's volleyball team from 2001-04 and was recently hired to be an admissions counselor at LBC. Hasty's playing experience and willingness to see LBC volleyball improve was noticeable to Bewley from the get-go.
 
"He has great observations during everything we do," Bewley said. "Having been a student at LBC himself, he knows what the ladies are going through and this is his alma mater, he wants to see the Chargers win. He has seen just how much growth in the department and program there has been since he was here and he wants to contribute to it growing even more."
 
With that growth, both Bewley and Hasty know there will be challenges along the way. As was mentioned by Bewley earlier, there are no seniors on the team and some ladies will have expanded roles from last season. Bewley prefers to focus on the positives however and said that if the program is going to grow, players to need to embrace the roles they are given.
 
"I'm excited about the returners and the potential they have," Bewley said. "We are approaching the season with returning to the NEAC playoffs as one of our main goals. If we play the way we know how to play, there is no reason to believe we won't be back in the playoffs."
 
Bewley also mentioned the opening weekend of the season when the Chargers will once again take part in the Crosstown Crossover which features Elizabethtown, Franklin & Marshall and Penn St. Berks. While Bewley doesn't put much stock into the outcomes of the early season matches, she does want to see how the team will respond to certain challenges.
 
"These matches won't be a predictor of our season, but playing these tough teams is a great starting point for us," Bewley said. "I think it's great these four local schools are able to get together and continue to grow the sport in this area."
 
The Chargers open their season at Elizabethtown on Friday night at 7 p.m. before returning home on Saturday morning to host Franklin & Marshall at 10 a.m. and Penn St. Berks at 12 p.m. Elizabethtown will face Penn St. Berks at LBC on Saturday at 10 a.m. and face Franklin & Marshall at 12 p.m.