The Basics
The Drake volleyball team is set to begin its conference portion of the 2025 schedule with a pair of road contests this weekend. The Bulldogs will open up MVC play first against Valparaiso on Friday, Sep. 26 and then travel to the Windy City to challenge UIC on Saturday, Sep. 27.
Bulldogs by the Numbers
The Bulldogs finished their non-conference portion of the 2025 schedule with a record of 4-7 after participating in four tournaments (WKU Invitational, 305 Challenge, Husker Invitational, and South Dakota Classic). In its most recent tournament at the South Dakota Classic, Drake went 1-2 picking up a win over Villanova while suffering losses against former Missouri Valley Conference foe Wichita State and host institution South Dakota. Reigning Co-MVC Player of the Year
Macy Daufeldt is off to another strong start for the Bulldogs in her senior season. The outside hitter comes into the weekend leading the Bulldogs in kills with a total of 146 through 11 games this season. On the defensive side, she boasts the best reception percentage on the team (.975) and ranks second on the squad in digs (113).
Drake Leaders
Kills |
Macy Daufeldt – 146,
Kacia Brown – 124,
Caroline Smith – 71
Assists |
Katie Quick – 175,
Addison Beagle – 148,
Carolyn Maser – 64
Digs |
Gabbie Schroeder – 121,
Macy Daufeldt – 113,
Kacia Brown – 109
Blocks |
Bliss Beck – 49,
Aniyah Davis – 29,
Macy Daufeldt – 21
Service Aces |
Kacia Brown – 12,
Katie Quick – 9,
Macy Daufeldt – 8
Scouting Valparaiso
Valpo comes into the weekend with an overall record of 9-4 after wrapping up non-conference play last week. In their last time out, the Beacons went 2-1 at the Leatherneck Classic defeating Western Illinois and Chicago State, while falling to No. 22 Missouri. Senior standout libero Emma Hickey provides Valpo with a steady presence and has over 2,000 digs in her career. She is currently tied for seventh in the nation with 245 digs this season.
In the all-time series with the Beacons, Drake has a record of 9-13. The Bulldogs have fared well recently against Valpo, however, winning the last five matchups. Drake swept the season series last year by scores of 3-2 and 3-1. Drake is 4-4 all-time in road matches against the Beacons.
Valparaiso Leaders
Kills | Ava Helming – 141, Jordyn Gove – 103, Sam Warren – 98
Assists | Addy Kois – 287, Mara Thomas – 226, Emma Hickey – 55
Digs | Emma Hickey – 245, Kadence Brumitt – 115, Jordyn Gove – 111
Blocks | Jessica Pickett– 44, Lilly Merk – 42, Sam Warren – 32
Service Aces | Jordyn Gove – 13, Kadence Brumitt – 11, Keira Lucas – 11
Scouting UIC
The Flames currently hold a record of 6-4 and are on a five match winning streak. UIC is coming off a tournament victory at the Chicago Cup where it defeated fellow Windy City institutions DePaul and Loyola-Chicago to conclude its non-conference slate. Senior Julieta Sandez was recently named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week and posts one of the best hitting percentages in the country at .531.
Against the UIC Flames, Drake has the slight edge in the all-time series with a record of 7-6. The Bulldogs won both regular season meetings against the Flames in 2024, but UIC got the better of Drake in the MVC Tournament and defeated the Bulldogs in the semifinals, 3-0. Drake boasts a record of 3-2 all-time against UIC in away matches.
UIC Leaders
Kills | Cleo Lorenzo – 90, Beatrice Carulli – 86, Julieta Sandez – 85
Assists | Mihaela Harizanova – 273, Francesca Venturini – 166
Digs | Tamara Kisic – 96, Hannah Howard – 95, Ava Young – 83
Blocks | Julieta Sandez – 36, Ana Petrides – 31, Ayat Amin – 24
Service Aces | Francesca Venturini – 16, Tamara Kisic – 11, Mihaela Harizanova – 10
Up Next
Drake will begin a stretch of four straight home matches as it welcomes in-state rival UNI to the Knapp Center on Tuesday, Sep. 30. First serve versus the Panthers is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
