The Basics
After playing 13 games away from Des Moines to start the season, the Drake volleyball team is ready to host a pair of matches from the Knapp Center this week. The Bulldogs begin with their home opener against in-state rival, UNI, on Tuesday, Sep. 30 and then welcome Murray State for a match on Friday, Oct. 3.
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Drake comes into the week with an overall record of 4-9 and will look to the comforts of a home court advantage to snap a three-game losing streak. The Bulldogs began Missouri Valley Conference play with a pair of road matches last weekend and suffered losses to Valparaiso and UIC. The Bulldogs fell to the Beacons on Friday, 3-1, and on Saturday lost to the Flames, 3-2. In the match against Valpo, senior
Macy Daufeldt eclipsed 1,000 career kills to achieve another milestone in her decorated Bulldog career. Daufeldt currently leads the team with 168 kills this season.
Drake Leaders
Kills |
Macy Daufeldt – 168,
Kacia Brown – 145,
Caroline Smith – 98
Assists |
Katie Quick – 208,
Addison Beagle – 188,
Carolyn Maser – 71
Digs |
Gabbie Schroeder – 148,
Macy Daufeldt – 146,
Kacia Brown – 126
Blocks |
Bliss Beck – 57,
Aniyah Davis – 40,
Macy Daufeldt – 28
Service Aces |
Kacia Brown – 12,
Katie Quick – 9,
Addison Beagle – 9
Scouting UNI
UNI comes to Des Moines with an overall record of 9-5 and is currently on a five-match winning streak. The Panthers also took on UIC and Valpo to start their conference slate last weekend and defeated both teams by scores of 3-1. UNI has won 38 consecutive matches against MVC opponents in the regular season, which is upped to 44 in a row when including the MVC postseason.
In the all-time series, UNI owns a 79-7 advantage over Drake. The Bulldogs will look to snap a six-game losing streak to the Panthers on Tuesday with the last win for Drake over UNI coming back in 2022. In games played from Des Moines, Drake is 4-35 all-time against UNI.
UNI Leaders
Kills | Lily Dykstra – 177, Cassidy Hartman – 172, Lindsay Oldendorf – 81
Assists | Reese Booth – 280, Kate Shafer – 227, Jadyn Petersen – 68
Digs | Jaydn Petersen – 203, Cassidy Hartman – 138, Reese Booth – 121
Blocks | Maryn Bixby – 42, Lindsay Oldendorf – 36, Isabelle Elliott – 22
Service Aces | Jadyn Petersen – 13, Lily Dykstra – 10, Maryn Bixby – 8
Scouting Murray State
The Racers will make the trip to Des Moines carrying an overall record of 2-9 and have lost seven straight matches. Murray State went 0-2 last weekend to open conference play falling to Belmont, 3-1, and Southern Illinois, 3-1. Murray State's two wins this season have come against Western Illinois and Austin Peay.
The Bulldogs are a perfect 5-0 in their brief history against Murray State. Drake swept the season series with the Racers last season picking up a 3-2 win in Des Moines and a 3-1 win from Murray. Drake has dropped just five sets in the five all-time matches against the Racers as well.
Murray State Leaders
Kills | Ella Vogel – 133, Federica Nuccio – 97, Mija Prisovnik – 77
Assists | Katie Titus – 216, Paige Brock – 158
Digs | Halle Forester – 106, Mija Pristovnik – 84, Federica Nuccio – 69
Blocks | Morgan McClure – 27, Ella Vogel – 17, Haidi Miliou – 15
Service Aces | Federica Nuccio – 9, Mija Pristovnik – 7, Ella Vogel – 6
Up Next
Drake remains at home for its next match as it hosts Bradley on Friday, Oct. 10. First serve against the Braves is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
