Express All-American Libero Comes Signs With UNOH

Ellie Comes, front center, signs her national letter of intent to play for UNOH. To her right is her father, Robert, and to her left is her mother, Lynn. To her back right is UNOH head volleyball coach Kevin Kitchen and to her back left is Owens head volleyball coach Sonny Lewis. Photo courtesy of Nicholas Huenefeld
Ellie Comes, front center, signs her national letter of intent to play for UNOH. To her right is her father, Robert, and to her left is her mother, Lynn. To her back right is UNOH head volleyball coach Kevin Kitchen and to her back left is Owens head volleyball coach Sonny Lewis. Photo courtesy of Nicholas Huenefeld
Posted: Dec 09, 2011

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---Ellie Comes (Southview/Sylvania, Ohio) is moving on from her storied career with the Owens Express volleyball team. The sophomore libero signed with the University of Northwestern Ohio in a ceremony at Owens Community College on Friday.

"She's going to be the hardest person to replace," said Owens head volleyball coach Sonny Lewis. "However, we're happy she's getting to move on. She's going to be a great help to UNOH."

UNOH head volleyball coach Kevin Kitchen is excited to add a player of Ellie's stature. "She fits in perfectly with her relentless attitude defensively. She just raises the level of our ball control and defense. She's just a great kid."

Comes is excited for her new opportunity. "I just want to better their program and make a difference. (Coach Kitchen) seems a lot like Sonny in that he's nice and he knows what he's doing. He's funny, too."

A sophomore libero, Comes was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Div. II Honorable Mention All-American team this past year. She became the program's career digs leader, as well, while totaling 16 kills, 20 assists, 43 aces and 940 digs. She had 29 kills, 33 assists, 86 aces, and 1882 digs during her two-year career.

Additionally, she is a two-time First Team All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) selection, a two-time First Team All-Region XII selection, and a two-time All-Region XII Tournament selection. She holds the second and third highest single season totals in digs in addition to her career record. Comes is only the third player in program history to earn NJCAA Div. II Honorable Mention All-American honors.

In her two-year career, Comes helped lead the Express to an 87-14 overall record - including a 23-1 OCCAC record. The team won two OCCAC titles and captured one Region XII title and one Region XII runner-up finish during her career. This past season, the Express had the highest winning percentage in program history (45-5, .900), which included tying the mark for most wins and setting a record for fewest losses in a season.

UNOH is a member of the NAIA. They play in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) and the team finished 25-15 this past season, which included a loss in the WHAC Tournament Championship game.