WEEK TWO
The Wayne State University volleyball team will travel to familiar GLIAC territory to participate in the Findlay Fall Classic this weekend in Findlay, Ohio.

After facing Urbana on Friday morning, Wayne State will have three straight matches against 2011 NCAA Tournament qualifiers.  The Warriors have a rematch Friday afternoon with Wheeling Jesuit, and Saturday matches against California (Pa.) and No. 8 Indianapolis.

Wayne State went 2-2 last weekend at the Nova Southeastern Sharks Classic, earning victories over Merrimack and the host Sharks.


AT THE HELM
Phil Nickel is in his fifth season as Wayne State's head volleyball coach and has a record of 67-49.  In his seven-year career, which includes two seasons at Thomas More College, Nickel is 101-92.

Urbana's Troy Haught is in his first season as a collegiate head coach.

Christy Benner, a five-time WVIAC Coach of the Year and the 2011 Atlantic Region Coach of the Year, has a 310-97 career record in 11 years at Wheeling Jesuit.

Peter Letourneau led California (Pa.) to a 33-5 record in his first season with the Vulcans.  The 2011 PSAC West Coach of the Year is 202-104 overall in 10 seasons.

In 16 years at Indianapolis, head coach Jody Rogers has a career record of 378-173.


SERIES HISTORY
Wayne State shut out Urbana in their only prior meeting in August 2009.

Friday's 3-0 loss to Wheeling Jesuit, the first meeting since 2008, was WSU's fourth in a row against the Cardinals.

The all-time series between California (Pa.) and Wayne State is 2-2 dating back to 1993.  The Vulcans and Warriors have not met since 2008.

Indianapolis and Wayne State last played each other in September 2010, resulting in a three-set win for the Greyhounds.  Wayne State won the first meeting in 2002.


SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
After opening the season 0-4 at the Fairmont State Invitational, including a five-set loss to West Liberty, Urbana shut out West Virginia State on Tuesday.  Sophomore middle hitter Kelsey Volkmer is averaging 2.61 kills per set and has 14 blocks with a .242 hitting percentage.

Wheeling Jesuit, the four-time defending WVIAC Tournament champion, went 4-0 at the Sharks Classic, dropping only one set all weekend.  Junior middle blocker Jenna Pew, who hit .375 with 13 kills last Friday against the Warriors, was named the Tournament MVP and WVIAC Player of the Week.

California (Pa.) won three out of four matches at the Rollins Invitational in Winter Park, Fla.  Earning All-Tournament honors were senior middle hitter Meghan Franz, who hit .400 with 30 kills and 10 blocks, and senior outside hitter Brandy Harris, who totaled a team-high 61 kills (4.69 per set) with 38 digs.

The eighth-ranked Indianapolis Greyhounds opened the year 3-1 including a five-set win against then-second ranked Tampa.  Senior outside hitter Kristian Kerrigan was named GLVC Offensive  Player of the Week and the West Florida Invitational MVP, totaling 21 or more kills in every match and posting three double-doubles.


BULKIEWICZ EARNS ALL-TOURNEY HONORS
Wayne State junior outside hitter Kristen Bulkiewicz was named to the NSU Sharks Classic All-Tournament Team, leading the Warriors with 49 kills (3.27 per set).  She had a team-high 18 kills Saturday vs. Nova Southeastern, and followed up with a double-double (15 kills, 12 digs) against Lynn, also totaling eight blocks in the match.  She had 22 digs and 19 blocks on the weekend.


UPCOMING MATCHES
The Warriors will begin GLIAC play next week with their first of five straight home matches.  Wayne State will face Lake Erie on Friday, Sept. 14, and Ashland the following afternoon.  WSU hosts Findlay on Tuesday, Sept. 18.