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Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS
WVB PREVIEW

Women's Volleyball Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Preview: Panthers Set for Second Half of Conference Play

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -  After taking a break from conference play at the Midwest Region Crossover Tournament in Hammond, Ind. the Davenport University women's volleyball team is set to resume GLIAC action this week.

In their last match against Maryville, Karley Pretzer, Madison Berry and Hayley Carr led the Panthers (10-9, 6-2 GLIAC). Pretzer finished with a team-high 14 kills,  Berry added 41 assists while Carr finished with 41 digs. 

Scouting the Opponents
#14 Ferris State (16-4, 7-1 GLIAC)
Series Record: FSU leads 14-1
Last Meeting: 10/7/25 - Ferris State defeated Davenport 3-1 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
About the Bulldogs
  • Finished last season 34-1 overall and a perfect 17-0 in GLIAC play. Fell to Bentley in the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals 3-2. Head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm was named the National Coach of the Year. Lost National Player of the Year Olivia-Henneman-Dallape to graduation.
  • Gabby Piazza is the top returner from last season after being named the 2024 GLIAC Freshman of the Year. She currently leads the team and conference in kills (261) and kills per set (3.78).
  • As a team, the Bulldogs lead the conference in total kills (958), kills per set (13.88) and digs per set (18).
  • Enter the weekend on a nine-match winning streak, sweeping five of those opponents. Their only conference loss of the season came to nationally-ranked Grand Valley State on Sept. 26.
  • Currently No. 14 in the AVCA National Rankings. 
  • Picked to finish second in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.


Purdue Northwest (10-7, 4-4 GLIAC)
Series Record: DU leads 12-2
Last Meeting: Purdue Northwest defeated Davenport 3-2 in Hammond, Ind.
About the Pride
  • In 204, the Pride finished with a 9-18 overall record and 5-11 record in GLIAC play. Made the GLIAC conference tournament, but fell to No. 1-seeded Ferris State in the opening round.
  • Marina Gronkiewicz and Arra Cottrell are the top returners for PNW from last year's squad.  A season ago, Gronkiewicz ranked third on the team in kills (214), second in assists (389) and second in digs (269). Cottrell was an Honorable Mention All-Gliac selection as a junior, leading the team with 355 kills. 
  • Last weekend the Pride went a perfect 3-0 last weekend at the Midwest Region Crossover.
  • Livia Thomsen was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday (Oct. 20). At the Crossover Tournament, Thomsen finished with 76 digs, 5.84 digs per set and 10 assists.
  • Picked to finish eighth in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll

Live Coverage 
Friday, Oct. 23 at #14 Ferris State  (7 PM) - Live Video - Live Stats
Saturday, Oct. 24 vs. Purdue Northwest (5 PM) - Live Video  - Live Stats
 
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Players Mentioned

Hayley Carr

#11 Hayley Carr

DS
5' 7"
Sophomore
Karley Pretzer

#3 Karley Pretzer

OH/RS
5' 11"
Sophomore
Madison Berry

#17 Madison Berry

S
5' 4"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Hayley Carr

#11 Hayley Carr

5' 7"
Sophomore
DS
Karley Pretzer

#3 Karley Pretzer

5' 11"
Sophomore
OH/RS
Madison Berry

#17 Madison Berry

5' 4"
Freshman
S