The Basics 
The Drake volleyball team returns to action this week as it participates in the 305 Challenge down in Southern Florida. Drake is schedule to play three matches in three days during its time in the Sunshine State first taking on Atlantic Coast Conference member Miami (FL) on Thursday, September 4, followed by matches with North Texas (Sep. 5) and Florida International (Sep. 6).
  
Bulldogs by the Numbers 
The Bulldogs began their season last weekend at the WKU Invitational and went 1-2 over the course of the tournament. Drake suffered losses to Loyola-Chicago and Wright State, but upset host institution Western Kentucky who is receiving votes in the national polls. Macy Daufeldt was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts during the tournament, recording a double-double in all three of Drake's matches.
 
Drake Leaders 
Kills | Macy Daufeldt – 56, Kacia Brown – 39, Caroline Smith – 26
Assists | Addison Beagle – 75, Katie Quick – 45, Madison Geise – 25
Digs | Emaline Handzel – 44, Kacia Brown – 38, Macy Daufeldt – 36
Blocks | Bliss Beck – 16, Aniyah Davis – 8, Macy Daufeldt – 7
Service Aces | Kacia Brown – 7, Emaline Handzel – 4
 
Scouting Miami (FL)
The Hurricanes got their season started last weekend with a pair of matches in the Canes Classic. Miami went 1-1 in those matches falling to Indiana in five sets, and sweeping Ohio State.
 
Miami was picked seventh in the ACC Preseason Poll and had a pair of players, Flormarie Heredia Colon and Ariana Rodriguez, named to the Preseason All-ACC Team.
 
Thursday marks the first ever meeting on the volleyball court between the Bulldogs and the Hurricanes.
 
Miami (FL) Leaders
Kills | Flormarie Heredia Colon – 32, Ava Carney – 29, Dalia Wilson – 18
Assists | Ariana Rodriguez – 71
Digs | Naylani Feliciano – 32, Ava Carney – 13, Ariana Rodriguez – 11
Blocks | Logan Wiley – 9, Ava Carney – 7, Dalia Wilson – 7
Service Aces | Ariana Rodriguez – 5, Flormarie Heredia Colon – 3, Dalia Wilson – 3
 
Scouting North Texas 
UNT is off to a 3-0 start after winning the Lion Invitational last weekend. North Texas claimed victories over Little Rock, Providence, and East Texas A&M only dropping two sets en route to its tournament victory. Under first year head coach Dave Fleming, the Mean Green was voted T11 in the American Conference Preseason Poll.
 
Saturdays matchup will be the first meeting between Drake and North Texas.
 
North Texas Leaders
Kills | Reagan Bedell – 41, Jahniya Jackson – 33, Lilly Croshaw – 23
Assists | Alexa Washington – 68, Sidney Soria – 57
Digs | Dakota Mitchell – 43, Sidney Soria – 27, Alexa Washington – 26
Blocks | Loredana Fouonji – 12, Addison Achilles – 10
Service Aces | Reagan Bedell – 5, Alessandra Romo – 3, Sidney Soria – 3
 
Scouting FIU
FIU owns a 2-1 record after opening its season at the Duke Tournament. The Panthers fell in their first match to Houston (RV), but tallied wins over Bryant and Duke. Libero Madi Morioka was tabbed Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week following the Duke Tournament after recording 45 digs in three matches. She was also named to the Preseason CUSA All-Conference Team, while FIU was voted seventh in the Preseason Poll.
 
This is another first ever matchup for the Bulldogs as they have never gone up against FIU.
 
FIU Leaders
Kills | Kira Givans – 34, Emma Beretich – 25, Magda Stambrowska – 23
Assists | Savannah Cook – 92, Kaylee Musick – 21
Digs | Mandi Morioka – 45, Courtney O'Brien – 29, Savannah Cook – 27
Blocks | Emma Beretich – 11, Magda Stambrowska – 7, Courtney O'Brien – 5
Service Aces | Savannah Cook – 4, Jillian Huckabey – 4
 
Up Next 
The Bulldogs will be in Lincoln, Nebraska for their next set of games as they take on Grand Canyon (Sep. 12) and Utah (Sep. 13) in the Husker Invitational.