The Basics
The Drake volleyball team is set to conclude their 2023 non-conference season with their fourth invitational tournament. The Bulldogs return to a familiar venue for the Cardinal & Gold Challenge in Ames, Iowa.
The Bulldogs begin the weekend with a match against Ohio on Thursday, Sep. 14 at 4 p.m. and then take on UCSB on Friday, Sep. 15 at 4 p.m. Drake punctuates their non-MVC slate with a rivalry match versus in-state foe Iowa State on Saturday, Sep. 16 at 2 p.m.
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Drake enters the Cardinal & Gold Challenge on a hot streak with wins in five of their last six matches including four-straight victories in their four most recent bouts. Drake is now 5-4 overall on the season.
The duo of
Macy Daufeldt and
Taylor Oberpriller have been spectacular for the Bulldogs this season with 122 kills and 121 kills, respectively. Oberpriller also has the second-highest total of service aces on the team with six and was recently named MVC Player of the Week. Other standouts for Drake include setter
Addison Beagle with 372 assists and
Kacie Rewerts with a conference-high 44 blocks.
Scouting Ohio
The Ohio Bobcats bring an identical 5-4 record into the weekend with a win in their most recent match. The Bobcats recently wrapped up their own non-conference tournament hosted in Athens, Ohio. Drake and Ohio share one common opponent, the Dayton Flyers, who beat both teams in five-set matches.
Caitlin O'Farrell has been dominant on both sides of the net for Ohio, leading the team with 130 kills and 38 blocks. Anna Kharchynska has also posted triple digit kills with an even 100. Elswhere, Sam Steele also leads the Bobcats in two different categories with 179 digs and 15 service aces. Setts Parker Kwiatkowski has logged a team-high 257 assists.
Drake and Ohio have faced off on one previous occasion with the Bulldogs earning a 3-2 victory in 2018.
Scouting UCSB
The Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara have put together a very successful start to the 2023 season. UCSB brings an 8-1 record to the Midwest for the Cardinal & Gold Challenge. The Gauchos have won four-straight matches including a 3-0 stay at the University of Utah invite. Their lone loss came at the San Diego State Invitational to then No. 6 Oregon.
Michelle Ohwobete is the only Gaucho to log over 100 kills with 113 this season. She is also tied atop the UCSB service aces list alongside Macall Peed with 12. Defensively, Peed's 165 digs pace the UCSB roster and Andi Kreiling has rejected a team-high 48 blocks.
Friday's tilt between UCSB and Drake will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
Scouting No. 23 Iowa State
No. 23 Iowa State has also had a solid start to the 2023 season with a 7-1 record of their own. The Cyclones opened the year on a six-match winning streak including a Cy-Hawk rivalry victory over Iowa and a win in their season debut versus South Dakota. ISU's lone loss came in their most recent bout, a 3-1 defeat at No. 16 Creighton to close the Omaha Invite.
Nayeli Gonzalez and Annie Hatch have combined for 148 kills with at least 70 apiece. Gonzalez' 12 service aces are also the best on Iowa State's roster. Setter Morgan Brandt's 291 assists lead the team. On the defensive side of the net, Jordan Hopp has been a force on the front line with 35 blocks while Brooke Stonestreet has recorded 145 digs.
Drake and Iowa State have battled on the volleyball court dating back to 1986. The Cyclones lead the series 30-3 with wins in the last 13 meetings.
Up Next
The MVC schedule will get underway with a road trip to Illinois State on Friday, Sep. 22 and Bradley on Saturday, Sep. 23.
