VUVB All-Region setter Libby Mehringer signs with Oakland City University

VINCENNES, Ind. – The four-time defending Region 24 Champion Vincennes University volleyball program picked up another four-year signee earlier this week as All-Region 24 sophomore setter Libby Mehringer (Jasper, Ind.) signed her letter of intent to play next season at NAIA Oakland City University.

"I liked that Oakland City University was close to home, as well as that the coaching staff seemed like a good fit for me," Mehringer said. "I met with some of the athletes, who were all very welcoming. My mom also played basketball at OCU and taught and coached there as well. So it felt like the right decision for me to make OCU my home for the rest of my college career."

"I want to take a moment to talk about Libby's offensive abilities, over her two years at VU she didn't really have that many opportunities to attack that much but she was able to hit some both years due to injuries," VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. "She's got the ability to fire the ball and put it away and she might get that opportunity at OCU. If they are able to run a six-two offense and give her a chance to hit, they will definitely not be sorry. She's a left-handed hitter and like in most sports, but definitely volleyball, you just don't see too many left-handed hitters."

"She's always had that hitting ability and when I was watching her in high school before bringing her here, that was one of the things that stood out," Sien added. "In regards to her as a setter, she really has a good concept of the position. Her mindset and the choices that she makes and delivering the ball with accuracy, have certainly improved in her two years here. She's got a really good understanding of who to set and where the hot hitter is and where they are at. She understands how to hold the middle blocker and she's got good vision, she's able to see the blocker and set away from them. She has all of those ideals and concepts of what a next level setter needs to run the type of offense that we typically have."

"Even more importantly than her volleyball abilities, Libby has really grown these two years in being a really good teammate," Sien said. "She has helped our other setters, especially Rylee Edwards. They both share the same major (Physical Therapy Assistant), so she was able to help Rylee on the court and academically. Oakland City is getting someone who is going to be very selfless, a real leader and someone who won't hesitate to step up. I would like to think that anyone recruiting our athletes would get an exceptional person like that."

Mehringer spent most of her sophomore seasons as the Trailblazers top setter and number one server.

Mehringer finished the season ranked 17th in the Nation with 829 set assists, while also finishing her sophomore campaign with 286 digs, 114 kills, second in the Nation with 91 aces and 27 blocks.

Mehringer had 20 matches this past season with 20 or more set assists, including six matches of 30 or more assists.

Mehringer's season high came against Wallace State Community College at the 2024 Showdown on the Wabash tournament where she finished the match with a double-double of 39 set assists and 13 digs.

Mehringer finished her two-year Trailblazer career as a member of the VUVB 1,000 set assists club with 1,060 set assists, 371 digs, 136 kills, 131 aces and 31 blocks.

Mehringer helped guide the Trailblazers to a 30-13 record this past season, winning VU's fourth consecutive NJCAA Division I Region 24 Championship and finishing with a combined record of 62-20 and a 32-3 record against Region 24 opponents.

"I would say that my favorite memory from VU was winning the Region in my sophomore season," Mehringer added. "We worked hard for the win, so it made it really sweet. I bonded really well with my team this year and winning that championship with them is something I will remember forever."

Mehringer is the fourth four-year signee off of last year's VUVB squad, joining fellow sophomores Elisa Dalla Pozza (Vincenza, Italy) and Isadora Dias (Rio Grande de Norte, Brazil) who signed with Park University in Missouri and freshman Julianna Rettig (Antioch, Ill.) also signed with Oakland City University in February.

"For all four of our athletes that are moving on I really feel pretty good about where they are going to," Sien said. "They are going to some pretty good situations and will have quite a bit of support. Julianna and Libby moving on to schools close to home is huge for them. So as their coach, I'm very happy that all four of them are going to be in great situations for the next two or three years."

Mehringer and Rettig will look to have a big impact next season as they join a Mighty Oaks squad coming off a 9-21 season last year and a 3-13 record in River States Conference play under Head Coach Allyson Moorman.

"Vincennes University has provided a solid foundation for both my athletic and academic growth, making the transition to a four-year school smoother," Mehringer said. "I have been prepared to make the transition from VU to a four-year school because of the competitiveness of the athletics here."

"I think academically my professors and advisors have helped me to decide what the best path for me following getting my degree here at VU," Mehringer added. "I am very excited for the future and could not be more grateful to Coach Gary for initially giving me the chance to play and Coach Allyson for allowing me to continue to play at the collegiate level."

The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to congratulate Libby Mehringer on her signing with Oakland City University and wishes her good luck as she continues her playing career next season.