FAIRFIELD TWP. — Experience, leadership and community are the cornerstones for the Cincinnati Christian girls volleyball team this fall.
It’s those qualities that may be what helps the Cougars chase a historic breakthrough.
With six seniors and nine returning varsity players, Cincinnati Christian enters the year with its most seasoned lineup in more than a decade. CCS sixth-year coach Carly Arington said that foundation has built-in chemistry — which could carry the program to new heights.
“We have a lot of experience on the team,” Arington said. “We’ve got some good leadership, too — girls who have been in our program for the last six years. They know how to lead, they know how to gel together, they know how to really make the team one unit.”
Senior core leads the way
Among the leaders Arington points to are senior libero Anna Kate Young and senior setter Anna Bowling, who have embraced the responsibility of guiding both their underclassmen.
“They have just a heart and mission to try to push all of our teammates and the team to their fullest potential,” Arington said. “They take initiative. They’re honestly getting all of our underclassmen too — even from the JV team — under their wing just to show them this is going to be the future, and I love that.”
That leadership, Arington said, takes pressure off her shoulders. It has also fueled the team’s goal of not just competing but leaving a legacy.
Serena Cyprien, Leah Hile, Lydia Vogelgesang and Elom Bobie-Frimpong round out the seniors.
Eyes on history
Cincinnati Christian has established itself as a steady postseason presence in recent years — collecting four straight sectional titles and competing for district crowns.
But this group of seniors has its eyes on an even bigger prize.
“Our goal is to get past districts this year,” Arington said. “That’s something that the school hasn’t had before for volleyball. We want to be that team that sets that legacy for the program. And that’s what the girls have their sights on.”
The Cougars’ move into Division VI aligns them with schools of similar size, giving them what Arington believes is a favorable chance to make a deeper tournament run.
“They’ve been really looking for that postseason run for the last three years,” the coach said. “This year, with where we’re slotted, I think they’re excited to compete against smaller schools.”
Embracing challenges
To get there, Cincinnati Christian is leaning into tough competition. Thursday night’s matchup with perennial contender Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy showed the Cougars where they stand against bigger, taller lineups. CCS fell 3-0 to slip to 2-1 on the year.
“We love good competition, we embrace it,” Arington said. “We always tell the girls to embrace adversity, so we like being able to see other teams that have had success in the past, too. Competing against them makes us better and prepares us for the postseason.”
Building beyond the court
The program’s success isn’t only measured in wins, Arington noted. She has made it a priority to create connections that last beyond graduation.
Each year, the Cougars host an alumni night, drawing former players and their families back to the gym.
“The people who graduated 10 years ago, they bring their kids, and they all kind of meet together,” Arington said. “That’s the community I want to build. That’s been my heart since coming here — building those relationships.”
As she guides her most experienced group yet, Arington is also balancing life away from the court. She and her husband are expecting their fourth child in the coming weeks.
But for now, the focus remains firmly on her senior-driven squad — and the chance to make history for Cincinnati Christian volleyball.
“They want to be remembered as the group that pushed this program to the next level,” Arington said. “And I believe they can do it.”
