Weekly Notes | IWU Live Stats | TU Live Video | TU Live Stats
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – After returning from their week-long trip to California where the team posted a 2-3 record, the Davenport Volleyball team is quickly getting back to work as they head to Indiana this weekend to take part in the Taylor University/Indiana Wesleyan Crossover. DU will play a pair of matches at IWU on Friday and follow it with two more on Saturday at Taylor. The Panthers get started against host and No. 17 Indiana Wesleyan which will mark the sixth consecutive match to open the season in which DU plays a Top-25 or receiving votes opponent.
At No. 17 Indiana Wesleyan/ Vs.Texas Wesleyan
Date: Friday, Aug. 30, 2013
Opening Serve: 5:30 p.m./8 p.m.
Location: Marion, Ind. (Luckey Arena)
Internet Coverage: Live Stats (IWU match only)
At Taylor University/ Vs. Marian University
Date: Saturday, August 31, 2013
Opening Serve: 11 a.m./1:30 p.m.
Location: Upland, Ind. (Odle Arena)
Internet Coverage: Live Stats | Live Video (TU match only)
Scouting #17 Indiana Wesleyan – 2-2, 0-0 Crossroads League – Head coach Candace Moats (12th season)
Indiana Wesleyan, one of the premier volleyball programs in the NAIA, comes into the weekend with a 2-2 mark after splitting all of their matches at the Grand View Tournament in Iowa last weekend. The Wildcats have been paced by returning NAIA All-American Kristine Egebrecht who leads the team with 55 kills in four matches. Katie Holler is tops with 154 assists while Rebecca Brandes achors the backrow with 84 digs. IWU is the defending Crossroads League champions and is ranked T-17th in the preseason Top-25 poll.
Scouting Texas Wesleyan – 3-1, 0-0 Sooner Athletic Conference – Head coach Kimberly Weaver (1st season)
First year head coach Kimberly Weaver has helped the Rams to a 3-1 start after dropping their lone match of the Oklahoma Baptist Tournament to College of the Ozarks. Katherine Rosenbusch is tops on the team with 44 kills and she is ranked No. 4 in the NAIA in hitting percentage at .500. Texas Wesleyan ranks fifth in the country in kills per game (14.1) and also fifth in service aces per game (2.7). It will be the first time DU and TWU meet.
Scouting Taylor University – 0-4, 0-0 Crossroads League – Head Coach Holly Motheral (1st season)
The Trojans enter 2013 under the direction of first year head coach Holly Motheral after former head coach Brittney Smith took the same position at Wheaton College (Ill.). A fixture in the NAIA Top-25 over the past 5 years under Smith, Taylor has gotten off to a slow start as they posted an 0-4 mark while playing three ranked teams in the Grand View Tournament. The Trojans have a balanced offense led by Jackie Close with 37 kills while they also feature four other players with at least 16 kills. Olivia Griffith and Julia Willey run the offense as Griffith leads the team with 70 assists.
Scouting Marian University – 0-0, 0-0 Crossroads League – Head Coach Ashlee Pritchard (2nd season)
Having not played a match yet in 2013, second year head coach Ashlee Pritchard is looking on building the program even more after going 14-14 last year and 11-7 in the Crossroads League. The Knights have a very balanced lineup in terms of classes as they feature four seniors, three juniors, and seven freshmen. Pritchard will look to Megan Ruff to lead the offense as the junior outside hitter was tops on the squad in kills in 2012 with 252.
Volleyball Contact: Aaron Sagraves | 616-554-5045 | asagraves@davenport.edu
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