The Basics 
The Drake volleyball team returns home to the Knapp Center this weekend as it starts a four-match homestand beginning with UIC and Valparaiso. The Bulldogs first take on the Flames on Friday night at 6 p.m. and then follow up with a challenge against the Beacons at 5 p.m. on Saturday. The match against the Beacons on Saturday will not have a live stream available.
  
Bulldogs by the Numbers 
Last weekend the Bulldogs split their matches against UNI and Indiana State. Drake fell in its rematch against the Panthers, 3-0, last Thursday but bounced back with a 3-1 victory on the road against the Sycamores. Drake is now 3-3 in league play and 8-10 overall this season. Drake is currently tied with Valparaiso, Southern Illinois, and UIC in the league standings making this weekend an important slate of matches in terms of conference standings.
 
Drake's offensive attack has turned into a balanced, multiple player effort with five athletes recording over 100 kills on the season. Lisa Melenciano leads the way with 185 kills followed by Caroline Smith (130), Matthea Dalton (115), Bliss Beck (113), and Kamryn Behrns (107). Libero Jasmine Dulan continues to lead the league in total digs (361) and digs per set (5.47) from a defensive standpoint.
 
Drake Leaders
Kills | Lisa Melenciano – 185, Caroline Smith – 130, Matthea Dalton – 115
Assists | Katie Quick – 364, Carolyn Maser – 307
Digs | Jasmine Dulan – 361, Matthea Dalton – 152, Katie Quick – 140
Blocks | Aniyah Davis – 64, Bliss Beck – 50, Lisa Melenciano – 42
Service Aces | Jasmine Dulan – 15, Matthea Dalton – 14, Bella Faria – 13
 
Scouting UIC
After dropping its first three conference games of the season, the Flames have now rattled off three wins in-a-row coming into their matchup with the Bulldogs. UIC posts an overall record of 7-11 coming into the week and is 3-4 in road matches this season. Maryam Hussein was named the MVC Defensive Player of the Week after the freshman middle blocker led the Flames with 10 blocks on the week, averaging 1.67 blocks per set in their two wins over Evansville and Murray State.
 
The Bulldogs hold the slight edge over the Flames in the all-time series with a record of 8-7. Drake split the season series with UIC in 2025 with each side winning on its home court. Drake has an all-time home record of 3-2 against UIC.
 
UIC Leaders
Kills | Emma Colombari – 166, Gabi Peter – 158, Tamara Kisic – 132
Assists | Paulina Stroh – 300, Judy Asar – 200
Digs | Ava Young – 231, Tamara Kisic – 174, Emma Colombari – 128
Blocks | Robyn Ward – 50, Jillian Gibbons – 42, Gabi Peter – 39
Service Aces | Judy Asar – 19, Tamara Kisic – 17, Emma Colombari – 13
 
Scouting Valparaiso
The Beacons swept their two matches last weekend taking down Evansville and Murray State to improve their league record to 3-3 and their overall record to 11-7. Valpo has fared well in road matches this season with a winning record of 4-2 in away games. The Beacons will battle the league leaders, UNI, before they make their trip over to Des Moines. Junior outside hitter Jordyn Gove has been on a heater lately and set a new career-high with 24 kills against Evansville last weekend.
 
Drake trails in the all-time series against Valparaiso with a record of 10-14. The Bulldogs lost to the Beacons during the regular season in 2025 but got their revenge in the MVC Tournament winning the semifinal matchup. Drake has a record of 4-7 all-time in home contests against Valparaiso. The Bulldogs are 6-1 in the last seven meetings against the Beacons.
 
Valparaiso Leaders
Kills | Ava Helming – 261, Jordyn Gove – 248, Maggie Uhwat – 172
Assists | Olivia Wagner – 363, Mara Thomas – 179, Mia McCall – 168
Digs | Jordyn Gove – 202, Rylee Bumgardner – 195, Ava Helming – 143
Blocks | Jessica Pickett – 58, Maddie Steele – 49, Ava Helming – 42
Service Aces | Maggie Uhwat – 31, Jordyn Gove – 21, Mara Thomas – 16
 
Up Next 
The Bulldogs continue their homestand with matches against Bradley and Evansville. Drake will first host the Braves on Friday, Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. from the Knapp Center and then welcome the Purple Aces to Des Moines on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m.