WJU 'Family' Connection (L-R): Andrea Thobe, Jessica Thobe, Abby Moffit, Sydney Obringer and Sam Obringer

Volleyball 11/12/2015 7:35:00 PM Chris Myers

Cardinal Volleyball – A ‘Family’ Connection

WHEELING, W.Va. – It is not uncommon for collegiate athletic teams consider their teammates as 'their family' for four years. The Wheeling Jesuit volleyball squad takes the ideal to a reality as a true family connection on the 2015 roster with two sets of sisters – Andrea and Jessica Thobe and Samantha and Sydney Obringer – and a tight-knit cousin, Abby Moffit, added to the mix.

On virtually each-and-every play, the WJU sisters and cousin's team importance can be seen. Jessica Thobe, Sam Obringer and Abby Moffit dig the ball on defense and they pass the ball to setter Andrea Thobe, who for various plays, sets outside hitter Sydney Obringer for the front line kill.

"It is exciting how all of them are integral parts of the program and help us to win," said the Cardinals' 14^th-year head coach Christy Benner.

The five Cardinal family members are helping the Wheeling team have another special season on the volleyball court. Each of the five players are key rotation members of the No. 6-ranked WJU team, which is seeking its fifth NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance and Atlantic Region title in a row over the next three weeks of action.

Wheeling Jesuit stands 27-4 overall and a perfect 14-0 in the Mountain East Conference heading into the final regular season weekend, three home matches over Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14. The Cardinals need one victory between their two MEC home matches against West Virginia State Friday night (7 p.m.) and Saturday's 'Senior Day' against the University of Charleston (1 p.m.) to clinch their third-straight league regular season title. WJU also hosts Cedarville University in a non-conference match as part of the Saturday tri-match at 5 p.m.

The Cardinal 'family' atmosphere starts at the top. Benner's top assistant coach also happens to be her husband, Matt. One or both of the Benners have been involved in WJU's volleyball program for the past 17 years.

"I feel like everyone is like a family here because you have Christy and Matt and they will always be there you for you no matter what," pointed out Andrea Thobe. "Especially when we travel, they make it fun and we don't always just play volleyball. They help us have a more well-rounded experience."

Sam Obringer added, "Our whole team is one big family. Matt and Christy are like our parents when they are not around."

The WJU 'family atmosphere' continues from the coaching staff to the two sets of sisters and additional cousin. Juniors Andrea Thobe and Sam Obringer started the sibling group. The two Cardinals are in their third seasons with the program, while senior Jessica Thobe, who transferred from Sinclair Community College a year ago, and Moffit are playing their second. Freshman Sydney Obringer completes the five-related players in her first year.

Hailing from Sidney, Ohio, 212 miles to the northwest of Wheeling, the Thobe sisters make up two of the Cardinals' seven starters – Andrea at setter and Jessica at libero – and have played in a combined 201 of a possible 202 sets between them this season.

The reigning MEC Player of the Year, Andrea Thobe is the quarterback of the Cardinal offense over each of her three seasons. The junior setter earned American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Atlantic Region and All-MEC First Team honors last year as she led the NCAA Division II ranks with 1,590 assists.

This season, Andrea has continued to lead the MEC as the top assist producer and sixth in the NCAA DII ranks at 11.97 assists per set. The 5-10 third-year player has 1,209 assists, 276 digs, 40 total blocks, 38 kills and 18 service aces over 101 sets.

The top-notch setter was a key influence on the sister team aspect starting within the WJU squad.

"I tried not to (influence her) and let her make her own decisions. It's her life and she can do what she wants," said Andrea. "But, if you come here, we could do this (explaining of the future team successes and sharing experiences). I think I influenced her more than I should have, but I think it worked out for the best."

Jessica laughed when asked if her sister had any part in her decision to join her as a Cardinal player.

"Oh, 100-percent. I would not be here if it wasn't for her. I was thinking about continuing to play," said the senior libero. "I watched a game, the Urbana game, Andrea's freshman year. Matt and Christy asked her what her sister was doing and she said 'I don't know. I don't think she's doing anything.' Then, Christy called me and said, "Would you like to come here to play' and I said, 'Sure, that would be fun."

So started the Thobe reuniting on the collegiate volleyball court in Wheeling.

Jessica came to WJU with an impressive college playing resume of her own. After two years playing for Sinclair Community College, the senior helped the team amass a 67-13 record in two seasons, while she earned AVCA National Junior College Athletic Association All-American honors. The libero also received Ohio Community College Athletic Conference Player of the Year and All-OCCAC First Team status for both playing and academics.

In her first year last season, Jessica finished third on the Cardinals with 415 digs and added 272 kills as a defensive specialist/outside hitter. This fall, the senior took over the Cardinal libero position and has anchored the team's defense with 487 digs and 4.87 digs per set, third best in the MEC. Jessica also has a .970 reception percentage and 14 service aces.

"I actually love it (regarding her position change to libero)," Jessica admits. "I really like back row a lot more (than hitting in the front row). I feel I have always been a defensive person in every sport I have played – in the field for softball and defense in basketball. I am a defensively-minded person."

With the position change, Jessica has faced a few new challenges in this her senior season.

"I feel like I have more responsibility to have perfect passes to Andrea, as that is my job. I have to be more focused on passing better."

Turning to the trio of Norwalk, Ohio hometown Cardinals, the family ties go just as deep on-and-off the court.

"Our mom's (Ann Obringer and Colleen Moffit) are sisters and they talk every day," said Sam.

"Since we were babies, Abby has been our second sister," injected Sydney.

With this close connection, Sam Obringer, like Andrea, played an important part in welcoming her cousin, Abby, and now this year, sister Sydney to the squad.

In two years as a serving specialist and defensive stopper, Sam posted 431 digs and 17 service aces. The junior has taken an even larger 2015 role where she has 245 digs, including 10 double-digit dig matches and a season-high 16 digs at West Liberty, and 16 aces.

Sam pointed out, "I feel I played a pretty big part (of influencing both her cousin and sister coming to WJU). We never talked about it, but me being here, and Abby being here…"

"It was a natural decision for me," Sydney finished her sister's sentence. "Playing with them in high school was a lot of fun, so why would I not want to continue playing with them. I know how well we can do when we all play together and how much fun it is."

After playing together since they were 12-years old, Abby and Sydney also were a natural fit to continue their playing at the collegiate level.

"It excited me to be able to play with my cousins again. Obviously, the university and coaches were another big factor," admitted Moffit.

As a sophomore, Abby has moved into more a part of the Cardinal playing rotation. After being recruited as a setter, she has moved into another key server and defensive back row player. In 96 sets, Moffit has produced 161 digs, including a career-high 21 digs at the University of Indianapolis, and a pair of aces.

The younger Obringer sister, Sydney, has etched a spot among the WJU front line players at outside hitter. The 5-8 freshman has lined 126 kills with 11 apiece against Seton Hill and top 5-ranked Ferris State.

With all the family-related players, WJU, may not be the most-overall talented team in the nation, but it may have the best natural chemistry of the 308 NCAA DII volleyball teams as the key to its success.

"There is a natural chemistry throughout our team. The Thobes are very laid back, but sisters talk in a way no one else can talk to them," pointed out coach Benner. "Sydney already had two years of being around the team when she came here this year after going to games for her sister Sam the last two seasons. Sydney also knew Abby being a cousin and the two of them playing together. Additionally, the Obringers and Abby played in the same club team as Kayce Krucki and Emma Schleucher. Sam, Kayce and Emma played on the same club team with Sydney and Abby on the other team of the same club program."

"It definitely does (give us an advantage). It gives us a nice chemistry. I think everyone knows what they are going to do," said Andrea Thobe. "It is fun to know she (Jessica) is always there and we are always in sync as we were in high school. It has been nice to get back to that again as we read each other without even talking. We have been doing it (playing together) for so long and it's so nice to see her in practice and outside hanging out and know you have someone there."

Sydney concurred Andrea's accessment, "The flow of the game. Everyone knows how each other plays and communication is so much easier that way."

The Cardinal players' ease of play and natural chemistry makes each and every success all the more special for all five team members.

"I enjoy most seeing their family in the stands supporting one another and the happiness seen on their faces, seeing their family playing together just as they were in high school," point out coach Benner.

"I think being able to experience all of it. My freshman year, she (Jessica) wasn't here and I had so much fun," explains Andrea. "I wanted her to come play with us, and it just adds to the experience of playing together against such great competition."

Jessica added to her sister's sentiment with a smile, "It is fun to play with her and hang out all the time. People ask why you go to the same college as your sister, but we kind of like each other."

"We get to go through all these things together and it makes it a much more memorable experience. We will always have someone to talk about it and reminisce after the years of playing volleyball," Andrea ended the thought.

The Obringers added a similar, but a different aspect of the specialness of the team's successes.

"Winning together makes it easier for our families to come and watch," noted Sydney. "If she (Sam) had picked a Division I team (to play for), it would be hard for my mom and dad to come and watch us both."

"It makes winning a family event," said Sam.

With all families there are some bumps in the road, but the WJU family members claim this is not the case, which helps the WJU squad be more successful.

"Playing together brings us closer," stressed Jessica. "We don't ever fight on the court or outside of it as we really get along well. Playing just adds to the fun."

Sam noted as well, "There is no trouble. I think it keeps us close."

The two sets of sisters, again agreed, upon the factor, which helped steer clear of any trouble between their sister relationships.

"We play different positions so we don't have to compete against each other," added Jessica. "I feel it's more that I am happy when she does well and I feel she's happy when I do well."

"Maybe (there would be some trouble) if we were playing the same position, it would cause us some problems. She's (Sam) defense and I'm offense so there is no drama between us that I am going to take her spot," said Sydney.

The Cardinal family chemistry exudes to the other team members and creates a truly cohesive playing unit.

"Aside from playing, we are all so close," explained Sydney. "The personalities off the court transfer on the court, so it makes outside of volleyball fun, and even more, playing volleyball fun."

"Being able to play with people I love and I know," added Abby.

For WJU to reach its goals of another Atlantic Region title, Elite Eight trip and even more, it will take a lot of Cardinal 'family' teamwork over the next three weeks. But, the Benners are ready to direct their 'family' team to many early December volleyball victories and put the final touches on another special season.

-GoCards-

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