DES MOINES, IOWA - The Drake University volleyball team swept
Idaho State (25-20, 25-17, 25-19) to improve to a program-best 11-0 on the
season. With the win, the Bulldogs set a school record for longest winning
streak, besting the 1996 team's 10-straight victories.
Sophomore outside hitter Bentley Mancini (Burnsville, Minn.) tallied a career-best eight
kills, including five in the second game, while hitting a career-high .294.
"She stepped in for us on the right side tonight," said
head coach Phil McDaniel. "She's been solid for us for two years and now she's
getting a chance to shine for us on the main court. I thought she attacked the
ball very well and was very solid defensively at the net."
Drake hit .363 as a team, its best hitting team hitting
percentage since hitting a season-high .402 against Cal State Bakersfield on
Aug. 27. Senior outside hitter Alisa DeBerg Roth (Hudson, Iowa) led all players with a season-best .562 attack
percentage while tying a season-high with nine kills.
"She [DeBerg Roth] did a great job at the net attacking
and defending," McDaniel added. "She's a great presence up there and teams have
to respect her. She's got the ability to lead the team in kills or blocks on
any given night."
Junior setter Caitlin Johnson (Sycamore, Ill.) was a dig away from her fourth double-double of
the season and second of the day. She finished the day with a team-best 23
assists and nine digs.
Junior middle blocker Michelle Reidy (Dubuque, Iowa) tallied five total blocks, including
a career-high three solos.
"Michelle [Reidy] came out and established herself early
at the net and got a lot of touches," McDaniel said. "Our middles did a great
job of slowing down their outsides tonight."
With the win, Drake improved to a program-best 11-0. In
addition the Bulldogs have won 10 straight sets, the most since winning 15
straight in 1996.
Drake continues the Hampton Inn Bulldog Challenge with a
noon matchup against South Dakota tomorrow and concludes the tournament with a 7:30
p.m. matchup with Stephen F. Austin.
