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Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS
Emmy Webb
Walter Cronk

Women's Volleyball Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Volleyball Preview: Panthers Head South for BritKare Lady Buff Classic

Davenport will play its first matches of the 2023 season over 1,000 miles away from home in Canyon, Texas

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -  After its best season in nearly a decade, the Davenport University volleyball team will begin the 2023 campaign this weekend (Sept. 1-2) at the BritKare Lady Buff Classic in Canyon, Texas. The Panthers will take on four opponents over the course of the two days, including the 2022 national champions, No. 1 West Texas A&M.

In their 2022 campaign, the Panthers finished third in the conference (22-9, 13-5 GLIAC), marking the best season DU has had since joining the league ahead of the 2017 season. Davenport returns two of its All-GLIAC performers from a season ago, outside hitter Lindsay Taylor (Second Team) and setter Lexie Beeke (Honorable Mention).

Scouting the Opponents
St. Mary's
Record: 0-0 (0-0 LSC)
Series Record: First meeting
About the Rattlers:
Finished the 2022 season with a 14-14 overall record (10-6 LSC), finishing No. 6 in the conference out of 17 teams. In what was the most impressive stretch of the season, St. Mary's won eight of nine matches in a late season stretch (Sept. 30-Oct. 22), only dropping five sets during that span.

St. Mary's also returns all three of its All-Conference performers from a season ago: Landri Withers (Second Team), Dallasstar Johnson (Honorable Mention), and Cali Nims (Honorable Mention). Both Withers and Johnson were also named to the 2022 LSC All-Freshman Team.

East Central
Record: 0-0 (0-0 GAC)
Series Record: First meeting
About the Tigers:
In their 2022 campaign, the Tigers finished fifth in the Great American Conference (GAC) with a 15-17 overall record (10-6 GAC). After a rough stretch to start the year, East Central rattled off seven straight wins Oct. 7-25) towards the end of the season, sweeping five of those opponents. 

ECU returns its top player from a season ago, Emma Strickland, who was an All-GAC First Team selection. In her sophomore season, she set the school record for kills in a season (465), while also ranking second in the conference in kills (465) and points (516.5) in 2022. The outside hitter was also named GAC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 14. 

Adams State
Record: 0-0 (0-0 RMAC)
Series Record: First meeting
About the Grizzlies:
Registered an 8-18 overall record (5-13 RMAC) last season, finishing 10th out of 15 teams in the conference. Over half of Adams State's wins (5) came by way of a sweep, three of those being RMAC opponents.  

Cindy Garcia is the top returner for the Grizzlies, as she was the only Grizzly to receive All-RMAC last season (Honorable Mention). She led the team in kills (273), kills per set (3.74), and total points (321.5). In her best match of the season, the outside hitter tallied 25 kills, 27 points, and 23 digs against Westminster (Sept. 17). 

#1 West Texas A&M
Record: 0-0 (0-0 LSC)
Series Record: First meeting
About the Lady Buffs:
Off the heels of an NCAA Division II National Championship, West Texas A&M sits atop the AVCA preseason poll as the nation's No. 1 team. In 2022, the Lady Buffs registered a 33-4 overall record, going a perfect 16-0 in conference play (LSC). They ended the season on a 26-match winning streak, defeating No. 1 Concordia-St. Paul 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-20, 28-26). On the season, West Texas A&M swept 22 of its opponents. 

West Texas A&M also rostered the LSC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Torrey Miller (offense) and Taytum Stow (defense). Both Miller and Stow were named First Team All-LSC and are the top two returners for the 2023 squad. The Lady Buffs also bring back junior Blair Moreland, a Second-Team All-Conference selection in 2022. 

Live Coverage 
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. St. Mary's (10 AM ET) - Live Video - Live Stats
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. East Central (5:30 PM ET) - Live Video - Live Stats
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Adams State (12:30 PM ET) - Live Video - Live Stats
Saturday, Sept. 2 at West Texas A&M (8 PM ET) - Live Video - Live Stats

 
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Players Mentioned

Lexie Beeke

#5 Lexie Beeke

S
5' 8"
Senior
Lindsay Taylor

#7 Lindsay Taylor

OH
6' 2"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Lexie Beeke

#5 Lexie Beeke

5' 8"
Senior
S
Lindsay Taylor

#7 Lindsay Taylor

6' 2"
Graduate Student
OH