The Basics
The Drake volleyball team begins action early this week with a pair of midweek contests hosting Omaha on Tuesday, Sep. 15 and then hitting the road for an in-state battle against Iowa on Wednesday, Sep. 16. First serve against the Mavericks on Tuesday is set for 6 p.m. from the Knapp Center and Wednesdays match against the Hawkeyes is set for an 8 p.m. start.
Bulldogs by the Numbers
The Bulldogs are coming off a perfect 3-0 weekend at the Kansas City Klassic where they won the tournament championship defeating Utah Valley, Radford, and Kansas City. Drake swept Utah Valley and Radford and fought to a five-set victory over Kansas City to improve its record to 5-3 on the year.
Jasmine Dulan was an outstanding performer over the weekend and was named tournament MVP for her efforts. The fifth-year senior tallied a total of 72 digs over Drake's three contests and recorded over 20 digs in all three matches. She also chipped in offensively with six service aces and 15 assists.
Drake Leaders
Kills |
Lisa Melenciano – 93,
Caroline Smith – 70,
Bliss Beck – 60
Assists |
Katie Quick – 165,
Carolyn Maser – 152
Digs |
Jasmine Dulan – 185,
Katie Quick – 78,
Carolyn Maser – 64
Blocks |
Aniyah Davis – 27,
Bliss Beck – 21,
Lisa Melenciano – 21
Service Aces |
Jasmine Dulan – 9,
Bella Faria – 9,
Matthea Dalton – 8
Scouting Omaha
The Mavericks make the short trip over to Des Moines carrying an overall record of 5-3. Last weekend Omaha went 2-1 at Northern Arizona's tournament defeating UC Riverside and Grand Canyon but falling to the host Lumberjacks. The Mavericks return eight players to their roster and add six newcomers, three transfers and three freshmen, for 2026 including sophomore outside hitter Faith Venable who was an All-Summit League Team selection in 2025. The Mavericks were voted fifth in the Summit League Preseason Poll.
In the all-time series against Omaha, the Bulldogs own a record of 7-4. The last time Drake and Omaha met was in 2024 with the Bulldogs winning in straight sets. Drake is 1-1 all-time against the Mavericks in home contests.
Omaha Leaders
Kills | Lara Maric – 97, Faith Venable – 84, Dara Obeid – 80
Assists | Maddie Stuesser – 303
Digs | Kate Schroetlin – 91, Maddie Stuesser– 70, Madi Corf – 57
Blocks | Dara Obeid – 32, Lara Maric – 17, Alizabeth Jacobsen – 15
Service Aces | Maddie Stuesser – 10, Faith Venable – 8, Kate Schroetlin – 7
Scouting Iowa
The Hawkeyes come into the week with an overall record of 6-3 and are in the middle of a 10-match homestand. Iowa hosted the Hawkeye Invitational this past weekend and went 2-1 taking home wins over Southern Illinois and Incarnate Word but losing to Missouri State. The Hawkeyes also picked up a win over rival Iowa State last week in the Cy-Hawk rivalry. Iowa was picked to finish 15th in the Big Ten Preseason Poll.
The all-time series with Iowa sees the Hawkeyes in the lead, 13-5. Drake and Iowa last met in 2024 at the Kwik Star Klassic and the Bulldogs came away with the win in four sets. Drake carries a 2-7 all-time record against the Hawkeyes in away matches.
Iowa Leaders
Kills | Liv Mogridge – 88, Carmel Vares – 81, Hannah Whittingstall – 81
Assists | Jenna Meitzler – 372
Digs | Jaimie Marquardt – 103, Marichka Hoshylyk – 91, Henlee Moszkowicz – 88
Blocks | Hannah Whittingstall – 30, Liv Mogridge – 28, Jenna Meitzler – 22
Service Aces | Jenna Meitzler – 12, Jaimie Marquardt – 11, Marichka Hoshylyk – 9
Up Next
The Bulldogs go back to tournament action and will compete in the Kathy DeBoer Invitational from East Lansing Michigan. Drake will have a double dose of matches on Friday, Sep. 18 taking on Wright State at noon CT and then Michigan State at 5 p.m. CT.
