WICHITA, Kan. – The Drake volleyball team (24-11, 14-4) ended their 2023 season in the Great 8 of the NIVC tournament this evening. The Bulldogs battled former MVC foe Wichita State (24-8, 15-4) in a three-set defeat 30-28, 27-25, 25-21.
 
The first two stanzas needed extra points as the two teams swapped scores nearly throughout. Drake jumped out to a 3-1 lead early in the first period with the help of a couple Shocker errors. The hosts were able to rally and eventually take a lead of their own at 6-5.
 
The set continued its back-and-forth fashion for several more rallies until Wichita State gained the final advantage. Back-to-back kills from Morgan Weber and Izzi Strand sealed the deal for the Shockers as they took the first set, 30-28.
 
Drake again grabbed an early lead in the second, but Wichita State never allowed the Bulldogs to even the match score. The Shockers rolled off a 5-0 run to take a 9-7 lead which proved advantageous.
 
The Bulldogs were able to reclaim the lead or tie the score a handful of times down the stretch including as late 24-23 after two successive Macy Daufeldt kills. Wichita State rebounded, however, and overcame that late Drake flurry to win the set, 27-26.
 
The Shockers took control earlier in the third set and built a 14-11 lead. The Bulldogs remained within striking distance until the end, but a 3-0 spurt gave Wichita State a more comfortable five-point lead. Barbara Koehler and Sophia Rohling provided the final blows as Wichita State secured the 25-21 set win and 3-0 match victory.
 
Haley Bush and Macy Daufeldt each posted 14 kills to lead Drake. They were tied with Wichita State's Morgan Stout for the most in the match. Bush also added a match-best two aces.
 
Addison Beagle and Taylor Oberpriller each completed double-doubles for Drake, the former with 24 assists and 11 digs and the latter with 10 kills and 10 digs.
 
Defensively, Jada Wills' 13 digs topped the Drake roster while Kacie Rewerts blocked a team-high four swings.
 
"I'm really proud of our team tonight and the season we had," Drake head coach Darrin McBroom said. "They battled but just came up short. This team has continued to elevate Drake volleyball…we finished with the best final RPI of any team in program history with our toughest schedule we have ever faced. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to work with such a great group of talented young women and such a motivated staff."
 
The Bulldogs concluded their historic 2023 season with an overall record of 24-11 and a mark of 14-4 in Missouri Valley Conference play. Their trip to the NIVC Great 8 was their second in as many seasons.
 
 
NOTES

• Drake finished the 2023 season with a 24-11 overall record and a 14-4 mark in MVC play.
• The Bulldogs' finished in the NIVC tournament for the second-straight year.
• Wichita State leads the all-time series with Drake by a 49-11 margin.
• Haley Bush and Macy Daufeldt each posted 14 kills to lead Drake. They were tied with Wichita State's Morgan Stout for the most in the match. Bush also added a match-best two aces.
• Addison Beagle and Taylor Oberpriller each completed double-doubles for Drake, the former with 24 assists and 11 digs and the latter with 10 kills and 10 digs.
• Jada Wills' 13 digs topped the Drake roster.
• Kacie Rewerts blocked a team-high four swings.