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Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS
WVB PREVIEW

Women's Volleyball Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Preview: Panthers Begin GLIAC Play Against Wildcats, Huskies

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - After seven out-of-conference matches to begin the season, the Davenport University women's volleyball team opens GLIAC play this weekend, hosting Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech. DU will host the Wildcats at 5 p.m. Friday and the Huskies at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the DU Student Center.

Strength of Schedule
The young Panther squad has been battle-tested early in the season. DU has played the 28th toughest schedule in the country and the second toughest of the 11 GLIAC schools. They have played two nationally-ranked opponents (No. 22 Washburn and No. 16 Gannon). The Panthers also fell to Findlay, who was ranked No. 24 in the preseason top-25 and their only loss this season came to No. 10 Tampa. 

Davenport's only loss to a team that has not been ranked this season came to Colorado School of Mines on their home court. However, the Orediggers currently stand at 7-1 overall on the season. 

Instant Impact
Freshman Madison Berry has immediately been a spark plug for DU. She currently leads the conference in assists per set and is second in total assists. She has also had at least 25 assists in every match.

Scouting the Opponents
Northern Michigan (1-7, 0-0 GLIAC)
Series Record: NMU leads 11-4
Last Meeting: 11/9/24 - Northern Michigan defeated Davenport 3-2 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
About the Wildcats
  • Finished last season 20-9 overall and 13-4 in conference play, advancing to the GLIAC Tournament semifinals, falling to No. 2 seed Grand Valley State 3-2
  • Lost five seniors from last year's squad, including all-time kills leader Jacqueline Smith.
  • Allie Barlow is the top returner from last year, she was named to the All-GLIAC Second Team, finishing with 1,175 assists on the season and 667 in conference play. She now leads the squad in assists (228) and digs (72) in 2025.
  • McKenzie Gruner leads the Wildcats in kills (69), kills per set (3.27) and points (82).
  • Picked to finish fourth in the GLIAC Preseason Poll.

Michigan Tech (3-4, 0-0 GLIAC)
Series Record: MTU leads 8-4
Last Meeting: 11/8/24 - Michigan Tech defeated Davenport 3-1 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
About the Huskies
  • Finished last season 17-12 overall and 10-7 in conference play, advancing to the GLIAC Tournament semifinals, falling to the No. 1 seed Ferris State 3-2.  
  • Return 13 student-athletes from 2024, with three who earned All-GLIAC honors, led by Tess Haynes, who was a First Team All-Conference selection. 
  • Two of their four losses have come to nationally-ranked opponents (No. 17 Barry and No. 10 St. Cloud State).
  • Tricia Kennedy ranks fifth in total blocks (24) and sixth in hitting percentage (.293). Brooke Dzwick leads the squad in kills (60) and points (72.5). 
  • Enter the weekend coming off a 3-0 win over Adelphi. The Huskies will play No. 12 Ferris State on Friday (Sept. 19) at 5 p.m.
  • Picked to finish fifth in the GLIAC Preseason Poll.

Live Coverage
Friday, Sept. 19 vs. Northern Michigan (5 PM) - Live Video - Live Stats
Saturday, Sept. 20 vs. Michigan Tech (2 PM) - Live Video  - Live Stats
 
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Players Mentioned

Madison Berry

#17 Madison Berry

S
5' 4"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Madison Berry

#17 Madison Berry

5' 4"
Freshman
S