The Basics
Drake volleyball is set to get their season underway this weekend with a trip to Omaha on the docket. The Bulldogs will face off against Missouri (Aug. 30), NC State (Aug. 31), and tournament hosts Creighton (Sep. 1) at the Bluejay Invitational.
 
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Drake has had a masterful run over the last two seasons including 54 total wins and a program record 30 victories in the 2022 campaign. The Bulldogs also earned back-to-back NIVC bids and MVC runner-up finishes but will look to take a step further in 2024.
 
Head coach Darrin McBroom's group was tabbed third in the MVC Preseason Poll behind UIC and league favorite UNI. Reigning conference Libero of the Year Jada Wills comes back to lead the Drake defense while other key returners include outside hitters Zeynep Gur and Macy Daufelt, middle blocker Ashlynn Kuhn, and 2022 MVC Freshman of the Year Addison Beagle.
 
Returning Drake Leaders
Kills | Macy Daufeldt – 406, Ashlynn Kuhn – 150
Assists | Addison Beagle – 1066, Madison Geise – 422, Jada Wills – 84
Digs | Jada Wills – 736, Macy Daufeldt – 328, Addison Beagle – 266
Blocks | Ashlynn Kuhn – 65, Macy Daufeldt – 50
Service Aces | Addison Beagle – 28, Macy Daufeldt – 21, Zeynep Gur - 20

Scouting Missouri
Missouri's season will also start on Friday in Omaha. The Tigers finished last season 18-13 overall and an even 9-9 in SEC play. They earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament where they beat Delaware in the opening round and fell to top-ranked Nebraska in the following contest.
 
Missouri was picked sixth in the 2024 SEC Preseason Poll while right-side hitter Jordan Iliff was included on the Preseason All-SEC Team.
 
The Tigers lead the all-time series with Drake 9-4 with the first match taking place in 1986. Mizzou has won the last three meetings in 1998, 2011, and 2018 since Drake's last win in 1994.
 
Returning Missouri Leaders
Kills | Jordan Iliff – 388, Janet deMarrais – 344, Morgan Isenberg – 165
Assists | Sierra Dudley – 1161, Maya Sands – 106
Digs | Maya Sands – 542, Sierra Dudley – 232, Jordan Iliff – 228
Blocks | Morgan Isenberg – 138, Jordan Iliff – 70, Colleen Finney – 68
Service Aces | Jordan Iliff – 45, Maya Sands – 34, Sierra Dudley - 22
 
Scouting NC State
Saturday will mark the first-ever meeting between Drake and North Carolina State. The Wolfpack is seeking another solid year after going 22-7 overall and 12-6 in ACC play. NC State was chosen eighth in the 2024 ACC Preseason Poll.
 
Returning NC State Leaders
Kills | Ava Brizard – 385, Amanda Rice – 331, Madison Williams – 195
Assists | Naomi Cabello – 455, Skye Stokes – 106, Sydney Daniels – 52
Digs | Sydney Stokes – 398, Naomi Cabello – 187, Ava Brizard – 166
Blocks | Jada Allen – 111, Amanda Rice – 80, Madison Williams – 45
Service Aces | Skye Stokes – 43, Jada Allen – 32, Ava Brizard - 25
 
Scouting Creighton
Creighton comes back to the court with lofty expectations. The Bluejays finished 2023 29-5 overall and 16-2 in Big East action and were unanimously named preseason favorites in that league. A trio of Bluejays in outside hitter Ava Martin, outside hitter Norah Sis, and setter Kendra Wait were also named to the 2024 Preseason All-Big East Team.
 
Formerly MVC rivals, Drake and Creighton have squared off dozens of times in the last 30 years. The Bluejays lead the all-time series 26-14 and have won the last seven meetings. Drake's most recent victory came in the Knapp Center in 2010.
 
Returning Creighton Leaders
Kills | Ava Martin – 417, Norah Sis – 302, Destin Ndam-Simpson – 153
Assists | Kendra Wait – 1202, Sydney Breissinger – 96
Digs | Kendra Wait – 396, Sydney Breissinger – 285, Sky McCune – 237
Blocks | Kendra Wait – 90, Kiara Reinhardt – 66, Ava Martin – 30
Service Aces | Sydney Breissinger – 32, Norah Sis – 25, Ava Martin - 23

Up Next
Drake will head back to Omaha for their second weekend of action. The Bulldogs will take on the Mavericks of Omaha (Sep. 5) before battling power conference foe Oklahoma (Sep. 6).