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Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS
WVB PREVIEW

Women's Volleyball Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Panthers Begin GLIAC Action on the Road

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport University women's volleyball team is set to begin GLIAC action this weekend, starting conference play on the road at Wayne State on Friday, followed by a trip across town to Grand Valley State on Saturday. 

Freshmen Making History 
The Panthers had a pair of freshmen put their name in the DU history books last weekend at the 2024 Hampton Inn and Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic. 

Rachel Youngblood set a school record for kills in a match by a freshman (21) against Bemidji State last Friday (Sept. 13). The freshman currently leads the squad in kills (85), ranking ninth in the conference.

Libero Hayley Carr also had an impressive performance against the Beavers, notching 35 digs, which ranks second in school history for digs in a match by a freshman and tied for 10th overall all-time. The Hudsonville, Mich. native has recorded 130 digs this season, which leads DU and ranks third in the GLIAC.

Scouting the Opponents
Wayne State (2-5, 0-0 GLIAC)
Series Record: Davenport leads 8-5
Last Meeting: 11/11/23 - DU defeated WSU 3-2 in Detroit, Mich. 
About the Warriors
  • Finished the 2023 campaign with a 10-19 overall record and a 5-13 record in GLIAC action.
  • The Warriors' 2024 squad is made up of 12 returners and four newcomers. Kayla Giroux is the top returner for WSU, off the heels of a First Team All-GLIAC season a year ago. Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selection in 2023 Kaya Dulgar also returns to the team, leading the team in assists through seven games (261).
  • Senior Molly Miller leads the Warriors in kills (116) while ranking second in the conference and 19th in the nation.
  • As a team, Wayne State is second in the GLIAC in total blocks (60).
  • Picked to finish sixth in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll

#16 Grand Valley State (8-0, 0-0 GLIAC)
Series Record: Grand Valley State leads 10-7
Last Meeting: 10/31/23 - GVSU defeated DU 3-2 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
About the Lakers
  • Ranked No. 16 in the AVCA Division II national rankings. 
  • In 2023, the Lakers went 27-5 overall and 16-2 in conference action, winning the regular season GLIAC Championship. GVSU then made the NCAA Tournament but fell in the second round to Missouri St. Louis in the Midwest Regional Semifinals. 
  • Jordyn Gates is the top returner for the Lakers in 2024. In 2023, the Grand Rapids, Mich. native was a First Team All-American, named GLIAC Player of the Year and set a new NCAA single-season record for triple-doubles (15). Through eight games in 2024, Gates leads the squad in kills (82), assists (169) and points per set (3.55), while ranking second in the nation in triple-doubles (4).
  • Grand Valley ranks third in the nation in blocks per set (2.97), which also leads the conference. Leading the way for the Lakers in blocks per set is Paige Sanders (1.8), which is the highest in Division II. 
  • Picked to finish second in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, while receiving four first-place votes. 

Live Coverage
Friday, Sept. 20 at Wayne State (7 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Saturday, Sept. 21 at. Grand Valley State (3 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
 
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Players Mentioned

Hayley Carr

#11 Hayley Carr

DS
5' 7"
Freshman
Rachel Youngblood

#14 Rachel Youngblood

OH/RS
6' 1"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Hayley Carr

#11 Hayley Carr

5' 7"
Freshman
DS
Rachel Youngblood

#14 Rachel Youngblood

6' 1"
Freshman
OH/RS