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Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS
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Women's Volleyball Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Preview: Panthers to Wrap Up Five-Match Homestand

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport University women's volleyball team is set to conclude its five-match home stretch this weekend, hosting Lake Superior State on Friday (6 p.m.) and Saginaw Valley State on Saturday (5 p.m.) at the DU Student Center. 

Last time out, freshman Karley Pretzer had an impressive performance despite the team's 3-0 loss to Ferris State on Tuesday (Oct. 8). The outside hitter ended the match with seven kills (tied a team-high) in just two sets of action while swinging at an impressive .462 clip. It was just the second time this season that Pretzer had played in a match. 

Scouting the Opponents
Lake Superior State (5-9, 2-4 GLIAC)
Series Record: DU leads 11-2
Last Meeting: 10/7/23 - Davenport defeated Lake Superior State 3-1 in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
About the Lakers
  • Finished their 2023 campaign with an 8-22 overall record, going 5-13 in conference action. 
  • Mariana Velasque is the top returner for the Lakers in 2024. A season ago, she was a First Team All-GLIAC honoree and led the GLIAC in kills at the end of the regular season, and her 403 kills a year ago are the fifth most in a single season in program history.
  • So far this season, Velasque ranks 10th in the conference in kills per set (3.11).
  • Junior Vanessa Swerdon is the primary setter for LSSU, tallying 343 assists through 14 matches, ranking seventh in the GLIAC.
  • LSSU has held its opponents to a .179 hitting percentage, which is the second-best in the conference. 
  • Picked to finish ninth in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.

Saginaw Valley State (3-11, 1-5 GLIAC)
Series Record: Tied 5-5
Last Meeting: 11/10/23 - Saginaw Valley State defeated Davenport 3-2 in University Center, Mich.
About the Cardinals
  • Last season, SVSU finished with a 5-24 overall record and a 2-16 record in GLIAC play.
  • Head coach Lana Rtbkowski is in her first season with the Cards after spending seven seasons as an assistant coach with Northwood University.
  • SVSU has an experienced squad, rostering seven seniors and four juniors.
  • Sarah Veale is in her senior season and was second on the team in kills in 2023 with 151. She leads the squad with 186 kills through 14 matches and ranks fourth in the conference in kills per set (3.85).
  • The Cards rank fourth in the conference in blocks (84) and blocks per set (1.83).
  • Picked to finish 10th in the GLIAC Preseason Poll.

Live Coverage
Friday, Oct. 4 vs. Northern Michigan (6 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Saturday, Oct. 5 vs. Michigan Tech (5 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
 
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Players Mentioned

Karley Pretzer

#2 Karley Pretzer

OH/RS
5' 11"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Karley Pretzer

#2 Karley Pretzer

5' 11"
Freshman
OH/RS