Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS

Walter Cronk

Women's Volleyball 9/26/2023 11:03:00 AM Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Preview: Panthers, Lakers Set for Battle for the 616

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - With GLIAC play ramping up, the Davenport women's volleyball team will play its first-weekday match of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 26, against Grand Valley State University at 7 p.m. in Allendale, Mich. at the GVSU Fieldhouse.

The Panthers (5-7, 2-2 GLIAC) are coming off their home opening weekend in which they defeated Lake Superior State 3-1 and had No. 22 Ferris State on the ropes but fell 3-2 in five sets. As a team, DU has been one of the best-serving teams in the GLIAC, currently sitting second in the conference in total service aces (90) and third in aces per set (1.88).

Player Notes
Stephanie Kalinowski

Has won three consecutive GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week awards.
Leads the conference in digs (220) and digs per set (4.58).
Set a new career-high in digs last week against No. 22 Ferris State (Sept. 23), recording 37 against the Bulldogs.

Lindsay Taylor

Registered a season-high in kills last time out, notching 22 against No. 22 Ferris State (Sept. 23)
Leads the team in double-doubles with five.
Leads the team with 133 kills, marking the sixth-best in the conference.
Ninth in the GLIAC in both kills per set (2.77) and points per set (3.30).

Abby Welke

Played in all nine sets last weekend.
Recorded season-high six kills against No. 22 Ferris State.(Sept. 23).
10 of her 14 kills came in the last two games.
Hit .429 against Lake Superior State last Friday (Sept. 22)

Dynamic Duo
Nicole Odeen and Lexie Beeke are the primary setters for the Panthers.

Have combined for 412 assists.
Both average more than four assists per set.
Odeen and Beeke have each played in all 12 matches.

Scouting the Lakers
Record: 9-1 (3-1 GLIAC)
Series Record: Grand Valley State leads 8-7
Last Meeting: 11/9/22 - Grand Valley State defeated Davenport 3-2 (-22, 24-26, 20-25, -12, 12-15) in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Deeper Dive

Picked second in the GLIAC preseason poll.
GVSU returned all four of its All-GLIAC performers from a season ago.
Currently t-2nd in the GLIAC.
Through 10 games, the Lakers lead the nation in hitting percentage (.312) and opponents' hitting percentage (.074).
Lead the conference in winning percentage (.900) and kills per set (14.67).
Have won three consecutive matches, winning nine of their last 11 sets.
The Lakers have only dropped six sets through 10 games.
GVSU rosters three of the top-10 leaders in blocks per set in the GLIAC.

Top Threats
Jordyn Gates

Transferred to GVSU from Arkansas prior to the 2022 season.
First Team All-GLIAC in her first season with the Lakers.
Named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week in week three (Sept. 18).
Has three triple-doubles this season, ranking first in the conference and second in the nation.
In the GLIAC, she ranks first in points per set (4.18), third in kills per set (3.48), ninth in assists per set (5.30), and 10th in blocks per set (.82).

Sarah Wight

Second Team All-GLIAC a season ago.
Leading team in aces per set (.39), marking the eighth-best in the conference.
Hitting .378 on the season, which is good for third-best in the GLIAC and second for the Lakers.
Seventh in the conference in blocks per set (.84), marking the second-highest on the squad.

Kendal Stover

Second Team All-GLIAC in 2022.
Second-leading player in kills (95) and points (114.5) on the team.
Leads team in service aces (12).

Rachel Jacquay

Was an Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selection a season ago.
Leads the team in assists (212) and assists per set (6.42).
Through 10 matches, she has tallied 11 service aces, marking the third-best on the team.

Live Coverage
Tuesday, Sept. 26 at Grand Valley State (7 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats

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Players Mentioned

#5 Lexie Beeke: S; 5' 8"; Senior

#12 Stephanie Kalinowski: L; 5' 3"; Graduate Student

#6 Nicole Odeen: S; 5' 7"; Senior

#7 Lindsay Taylor: OH; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

#9 Abby Welke: OH/RS; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#5 Lexie Beeke
: 5' 8"; Senior
: S

#12 Stephanie Kalinowski
: 5' 3"; Graduate Student
: L

#6 Nicole Odeen
: 5' 7"; Senior
: S

#7 Lindsay Taylor
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: OH

#9 Abby Welke
: 5' 11"; Junior
: OH/RS