The Basics
The Drake volleyball begins postseason play at the MVC Championship from Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Bulldogs earned the No. 2 seed in the tournament and had a bye to the semifinal round. Drake's first match will be on Monday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. against the winner of No. 3 UIC or No. 6 Valparaiso.
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Drake concluded the regular season with an overall record of 20-9 and went 16-2 in conference play. The only two losses that Drake suffered in conference play came against UNI, including its most recent matchup in the regular season finale.
Five players from the Drake volleyball team earned all MVC honors this season.
Macy Daufeldt and
Jada Wills were named Co-MVC Player of the Year and Co-MVC Defensive Player of the Year, while being named to the First Team. Meanwhile,
Ashlynn Kuhn and
Megan Witte were selected to the Second Team and
Bliss Beck was tabbed to the All-Freshman Team.
Drake Leaders
Kills |
Macy Daufeldt – 470,
Megan Witte – 355,
Ashlynn Kuhn – 305
Assists |
Addison Beagle – 853,
Madison Geise – 319,
Jada Wills – 110
Digs |
Jada Wills – 751,
Macy Daufeldt – 326,
Megan Witte – 271
Blocks |
Bliss Beck – 112.0,
Aniyah Davis – 71.0,
Macy Daufeldt – 68.0
Service Aces |
Macy Daufeldt – 32,
Megan Witte – 30,
Addison Beagle – 23
Scouting UIC
UIC finished its regular season with an overall record of 21-9 and earned the No. 3 seed in the MVC Tournament with a mark of 13-5 in conference play. The Flames come into the tournament riding a three-match win streak after falling in two straight against UNI and Drake.
UIC had a pair of players earn all-conference honors in Zahria Woodard and Antonie Kelnárová. Woodard earned her second consecutive MVC All-Conference First Team selection and Kelnárová was named to the MVC All-Freshman Team.
Drake leads in the all-time series against UIC, 7-5. The Bulldogs won both contests against the Flames this season by scores of 3-1 in both instances.
UIC Leaders
Kills | Cleo Lorenzo – 268, Zahria Woodard – 262, Antonie Kelnárová – 206
Assists | Francesca Venturini – 711, Mihaela Harizanova – 526, Hannah Howard – 120
Digs | Hannah Howard – 431, Cleo Lorenzo – 255, Francesca Venturini – 251
Blocks | Zahria Woodard – 161.0, Kayanna Jones – 83.0, Gabi Peter – 55.0
Service Aces | Francesca Venturini – 51, Mihaela Harizanova – 36, Hannah Howard – 17
Scouting Valparaiso
Valpo has already won one match in the MVC Tournament defeating Murray State in the opening round, 3-1. The Beacons compiled an overall record of 17-13 during the regular season and went an even 9-9 in conference play to earn the No. 6 seed.
When it comes to postseason honors, Valpo placed a pair of players on the MVC All-Freshman Team with Ava Helming and Jessica Pickett.
Drake went 2-0 against the Beacons during the regular season with a 3-2 win on Nov. 8 in Des Moines and a 3-1 win on Oct. 5 in Valparaiso. Drake has won five-straight matches against the Beacons. In the all-time series, however, Valpo has the advantage, 13-9.
Valparaiso Leaders
Kills | Elise Swistek – 360, Ava Helming – 287, Jordyn Gove – 231
Assists | Addy Kois – 665, Mara Thomas – 654, Emma Hickey – 133
Digs | Emma Hickey – 680, Elise Swistek – 420, Mara Thomas – 272
Blocks | Jessica Pickett – 136.0, Ava Helming – 78.0, Lilly Merk – 73.0
Service Aces | Mara Thomas – 39, Elise Swistek – 28, Addy Kois – 27
Up Next
With a win, Drake would advance to the MVC Tournament Championship game on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 4 p.m.
