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Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS
WVB PREVIEW

Women's Volleyball Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Preview: Panthers Return Home for Pair of Conference Matches

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - After two weekends on the road, the Davenport University women's volleyball team is set to have its first home conference matches this weekend. The Panthers (2-10, 0-4 GLIAC) are hosting Purdue Northwest on Friday (Oct. 4) at 6 p.m. and Parkside on Saturday (Oct. 5) at 5 p.m. at the DU Student Center in Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Kaitlyn Marsh is coming off the best performances of her young collegiate career for DU. The freshman opened last weekend with nine kills and five blocks against Northern Michigan (Sept. 27). On the following day, she eclipsed double-digit kills for the first time in her career, ending the match against Michigan Tech (Sept. 28) with 10 kills and hitting .381. 

Scouting the Opponents
Purdue Northwest (3-8, 1-3 GLIAC)
Series Record: DU leads 11-1
Last Meeting: 11/3/23 - Purdue Northwood defeated Davenport 3-1 in Hammond Ind.
About the Pride
  • Finished their 2023 campaign with a 13-17 overall record, going 8-10 in conference action.
  • Returned all three of their All-GLIAC performers from last season; Arra Cottrell (Second Team), Anika Huelskamp (Second Team) and Livia Thomsen (Honorable Mention).
  • Thomsen currently ranks fifth in the league in digs per set (4.02).
  • Cottrell leads the PNW offense with 129 kills, which ranks eighth in the conference.
  • Junior setter Marina Gronkiewicz has recorded three triple-doubles on the year, the fourth most in the nation.
  • The Pride are coming off a 3-0 sweep over Roosevelt last Friday (Sept. 27).
  • Picked to finish eighth in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Parkside (7-5, 3-1 GLIAC)
Series Record: DU leads 9-5
Last Meeting: 11/15/23 - Parkside defeated Davenport 3-0 in Kenosha, Wis.
About the Rangers
  • In 2023, the Rangers finished with a record of 19-12 overall and 12-6 in conference play.
  • Head coach Leigh Barea was named the 2023 GLIAC Coach of the Year. Barea led the Rangers to their highest-ever finish in the GLIAC, placing third in the regular season standings. 
  • UWP returned four All-GLIAC performers from a season ago; Ava Irvin (First Team), Natalie Harris (Second Team), Sam Fisch (Second Team) and Karlee Lois (Honorable Mention).
  • Through 12 games, Fisch leads the squad in kills with 173, ranking second in the conference, while Irvin is ninth in the league with 127 kills. 
  • Defensively, Harris is the GLIAC leader in digs, notching 206 on the year while averaging 4.68 per set. She was also named week four GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week.
  • Picked to finish fourth in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches' 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

Kaitlyn Marsh

#20 Kaitlyn Marsh

MB
6' 1"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kaitlyn Marsh

#20 Kaitlyn Marsh

6' 1"
Freshman
MB