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Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS
WVB PREVIEW

Women's Volleyball Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Preview: Panthers Look to Continue Winning Ways at Midwest Region Crossover

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - After winning four of its previous five contests, the Davenport University women's volleyball team is putting a pause on conference action to head to the Midwest Region Crossover in Hammond, Ind. The Panther's (6-11, 4-5 GLIAC) only loss in the previous two weeks has come to No. 4 Ferris State. 

The tournament is taking place on Friday and Saturday (Oct. 18-19) and features schools from the Midwest Region (GLIAC, GLVC, and G-MAC), competing only against teams from opposing conferences.

Player Notes
Mehl Hansen
  • Named week six GLIAC Setter of the Week, the first Panther to receive the award in program history.
  • Last week, she finished the three matches with a total of 103 assists, 34.3 assists per match and 9.4 assists per set. 
  • In the 3-2 win over LSSU on Friday (Oct. 11), Hansen registered 45 assists, her third time eclipsing 40 assists in a match this season. 
  • The setter also notched her third double-double of the year in the 3-0 victory over SVSU (Oct. 12), recording 35 assists and 10 digs.

Abby Alan
  • Has emerged as the top offensive threat for DU, leading the squad with 192 kills on the season.
  • The sophomore has recorded a double-double in three of the previous four matches.
  • Has eclipsed double-digit kills in 10 matches this season. 

Scouting the Opponents
Cedarville (7-6, 4-3 G-MAC)
Series Record:
Last Meeting:
About the Yellow Jackets
  • Finished 2023 with a 15-16 overall record while going 10-9 in conference action.
  • Return both of their All-G-MAC performers from 2023; Madelyn Hensley (First Team) and Janae Heegaard (Second Team)
  • Hensley led the squad in kills (419) and kills per set (3.61). The outside hitter was also named G-MAC Freshman of the Year. Through 13 matches in 2024, Hensley leads the team in kills (188), which ranks sixth in the conference.
  • Have won four of their previous five matches heading into the weekend.
  • Currently, CU  is first in the G-MAC South.
  • Picked to finish first in the G-MAC South, receiving three first-place votes. 

Thomas More (9-9, 4-5 G-MAC)
Series Record:
Last Meeting:
About the Saints
  • In 2023, TMU finished with an overall record of 7-13 and a 5-14 record in G-MAC play.
  • Have lost five consecutive matches heading into the weekend.
  • So far, the Saints are 2-0 against GLIAC opponents in 2024, sweeping Roosevelt and Lake Superior State earlier this season.
  • The Saints have had three players earn G-MAC South Player of the Week honors; Asia Ferrando, Ebony Gomez (twice) and Emily Acito.
  • Gomez leads the squad in kills (198), ranking fourth in the conference.
  • Ferrando ranks third in the G-MAC in digs (298) averaging 4.81 per set. 
  • Picked to finish third in the G-MAC South.

Drury (8-8, 2-4 GLVC)
Series Record:
Last Meeting:
About the Panthers
  • In their 2023 campaign, the Panthers went 6-11 overall while posting a 3-10 record in GLVC action.
  • Coming off of back-to-back wins over Truman State and Upper Iowa.
  • As a team, the Panthers rank fourth in the conference in total blocks (144).
  • Lauren Tyler leads the squad in assists with 595, marking the fifth most in the GLVC.
  • Kayli Duncan leads the conference in blocks per set (1.44) and ranks second in total blocks (78).
  • Picked to finish 12th in the GLVC Preseason Coaches Poll. 

Live Coverage
Friday, Oct. 18 vs. Cedarville(12:30 PM) - Live Video ($) - Live Stats
Saturday, Oct. 19 vs. Thomas More (12:30 PM) - Live Video ($) - Live Stats
Saturday, Oct. 19 vs. Drury (5:30 PM) - Live Video ($) - Live Stats
 
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Players Mentioned

Abby Alan

#21 Abby Alan

OH/RS
6' 0"
Sophomore
Mehl Hansen

#7 Mehl Hansen

S
5' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Abby Alan

#21 Abby Alan

6' 0"
Sophomore
OH/RS
Mehl Hansen

#7 Mehl Hansen

5' 9"
Junior
S