Three Volleyball Players Receive Postseason Honors

Head Volleyball Coach Julia Brandewie Named Co-Coach of the Year

Edison State Community College's volleyball team recently finished their winning season with a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XII Great Lakes District A tournament appearance. The Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) named three volleyball players recipients of postseason awards for the 2024 season.

The OCCAC selected Brooklyn Bourne from Celina for the All-OCCAC First Team. Bourne, a 5-foot-7-inch sophomore outside hitter, earned 156 points, 183 digs, 132 kills, and 19 blocks in 12 conference games this season. Additionally, the NJCAA recognized Bourne by placing her on the All-Region Team.

"Brooklyn is a returning sophomore who was chosen as the OCCAC Volleyball Player of the Week three times in her two seasons at Edison State," said Head Volleyball Coach Julie Brandewie. "Brooklyn led the team in kills, totaling 337 for the season, and had 437 total digs. A well-rounded athlete and an excellent volleyball player, Brooklyn will swing at any ball thrown outside to her and make the best of it. Her volleyball knowledge is impressive, and her work ethic is unmatched. We'll miss her next season, as she's had a big impact on the team's success the past two seasons."

Marissa Corner, of Sidney, landed a spot on the All-OCCAC Second Team. The 6-foot-1-inch freshman middle blocker/right-side hitter earned 131.5 points, 110 kills, and 31 blocks in conference play. Corner also joins Bourne on the NJCAA All-Region Team.

Brandewie said, "Marissa is an all-around great volleyball player. She had the second most kills for the team this season, collecting a total of 246 kills, and led the team in blocks with a total of 84."

Emma Luedeke, of New Knoxville, joins Corner on the All-OCCAC Second Team. Luedeke, a 5-foot-4-inch setter, put up 100 digs and 321 assists, averaging 7.13 assists per set in conference play.

"At the start of the season, Emma wasn't sold on the idea of being a setter. She was much more comfortable playing defense. Due to an injury mid-season, she had to step into the role of a setter, and she did a fantastic job, totaling 807 assists for the season, which is a huge accomplishment. I have no doubt she'll hit the 1,000-career-assist milestone next season and then some," said Brandewie.

"I'm incredibly proud of the hard work each of these young ladies have put in this season," Brandewie added. "Marissa and Emma are both freshmen, and I'm excited to watch them continue to grow over the next year. I believe their impact next season will be even greater."

Additionally, the OCCAC named Brandewie Co-Coach of the Year, who finished her seventh season leading the Lady Chargers.

"Congratulations to Coach Brandewie on being the OCCAC Co-Coach of the Year," said Athletics Director Justin McCulla. "This is an incredible honor! The award recognizes her hard work, dedication, and leadership in developing student-athletes and the whole team. It speaks to her ability to inspire, strategize, and create a positive culture on and off the court. The recognition is not just for her skill in coaching but also how she impacted the student-athletes' lives."

"I'm honored that my fellow coaches voted me as Co-Coach of the Year for the OCCAC," added Brandewie, "but I feel I owe it to the girls on the team and my assistant coaches for all their hard work and dedication this season. A lot goes into coaching, and none of it would have been possible without them."

The Lady Chargers ended the regular season 20-14 overall and 9-3 in the OCCAC. They also participated in the NJCAA Region XII Great Lakes District A tournament during postseason play.

For more information, visit athletics.edisonohio.edu.