DETROIT -- The Wayne State University volleyball team (3-1) continues tournament play this weekend at the UW-Parkside Tournament in Kenosha, Wis. The Warriors took three of four last weekend at the GVSU Laker Classic including a five-set thriller from then sixth-ranked Southwest Minnesota State. The field this weekend includes four solid programs including another NSIC member, second-ranked Minnesota Duluth.
Opening Weekend
The Warriors have fared well in recent opening weekends, posting a .500 record or better in six of the last seven years. Last season, the Warriors went 2-2 at the NSU Sharks Classic. WSU went 1-3 in 2011 at Missouri-St. Louis, 2-2 at Indianapolis in 2010, won all four matches in the 2009 WSU Invitational, posted a 3-1 record at the Cal State Monterrey Bay Otter Classic in 2008, and won two of four matches at Francis Marion in 2007.
GVSU Laker Classic Recap
The Green & Gold won three of four last weekend with wins over Adelphi, SW Minnesota State and Saint Leo and a loss to open the weekend against Eckerd. The Tritons of Eckerd swept the Warriors before WSU defeated SMSU in five sets and swept Adelphi and Saint Leo. Kristen Bulkiewicz (LaSalle, Ont. / Sanwich) finished the weekend with 46 kills and 40 digs. She collected her 22nd career double-double against SMSU with 16 kills and 17 digs. Candice Ottey (Ajax, Ont.) was also solid collecting 42 kills and a .341 hitting percentage. New setter Madison Reeves (Indianapolis, Ind. / Avon) set a career-high with 45 assists against SMSU and finished the weekend 131 helpers. As a team, WSU hit .208 and averaged 11.6 kills per set.
Formidable Front Line
When the Warriors at their best, the blockers are being effective in shutting down the opponents' offense. Last season, WSU averaged 2.7 blocks per set. This season, the Warriors are at 3.6 blocks per set. "That has always kind of been our calling card," said head coach Phil Nickel. Kelsey Bonewits (Griffith, Ind.) and Essence Jackson-Jones (Muskegon, Mich.) both lead the team with 22 total blocks.
At The Helm
Phil Nickel is in his sixth season as Wayne State's head volleyball coach and has a record of 86-61. In his seven-year career, which includes two seasons at Thomas More College, Nickel is 117-103. Nickel was named the 12th head coach in the history of the Wayne State University women's volleyball program on March 3, 2008, by WSU Director of Athletics Rob Fournier. The Warriors have qualified for the GLIAC Tournament in all five years of Nickel's tenure.
A Looks at the Field
Second-ranked Minnesota Duluth enters the weekend 4-0 with wins over #18 Wheeling Jesuit and #19 West Florida. Last season, the Bulldogs went 29-5 before falling to Concordia-St. Paul in the NCAA Tournament. Indianapolis is currently ranked 19th and enters the weekend 1-3. Lewis is also 1-3 on the young season. UW-Parkside sits at 2-2.
Series History
Wayne State trails the all-time series against UW-Parkside 4-5, Minnesota Duluth 0-2 and Indianapolis 1-2 while being tied with Lewis at five wins each.
Warriors in the Polls
The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) released its 2013 Preseason Volleyball Poll on August 27 as voted on by the league's coaches. Wayne State University received three first-place votes and 44 total points and were predicted to finish second in the GLIAC South Division. The three first-place votes and 44 points both rank third out of all 16 teams. In the week one AVCA Coaches Poll, WSU is ranked 32nd, receiving 10 votes.
2012 In Review
The Warriors finished tied for second last season with an 18-13 overall record including an 11-7 mark in GLIAC matches. WSU upended second-seeded Ferris State in the GLIAC Tournament before dropping a hard-fought battle with Grand Valley in the semifinals. Wayne State returns nine letterwinners including two-time First Team All-GLIAC and Honorable Mention AVCA All-Midwest Region selection, Kristen Bulkiewicz (LaSalle, Ont. / Sandwich).
2013 Captains
Phil Nickel selected his 2013 team captains as the return to campus nears for student-athletes. Jessica DeLeeuw,Carlee Hunt, Jamie Goryca and Madison Reeves will serve as the Warrior captains for the upcoming season. "This group has worked very hard to provide the leadership needed for this team to be successful, stated Coach Nickel. "They all bring different qualities to the leadership position but each have the respect and trust of their teammates and coaches. I look forward to continuing to work with them as we embark on the 2013 season."
Coaching Staff Addition
Brittany Holbrook was named assistant coach for the 2013 season. She graduated this spring from Oakland University with a bachelor's degree in social work along with a minor in sociology. Holbrook is currently pursuing a master's degree in social work from WSU. During her four-year volleyball career with the Grizzlies, she was named to The Summit League All-Freshman Team in 2009 after leading the team in hitting percentage at .295, the third highest in OU NCAA Division I history. Holbrook also recorded team-high totals with 14 solo blocks, 76 block assists and 90 total blocks.
Returning Experience
The Warriors return nine letterwinners from last season. Returners of note along with Bulkiewicz are junior Candice Ottey who was third on the team in 2012 with 237 kills and collected 68 total blocks, sophomore Essence Jackson-Jones who was second on the team last season with 127 total blocks and fourth on the team with 169 kills and sophomore Kelsey Bonewits who led the team with 140 total blocks and finished with 147 kills.
Program History
Wayne State University volleyball began in 1975 and enter the season with a 662-526 (.557) overall record. The program has won three GLIAC titltes (1979, 1980, 1981), three GLIAC South titles (1996, 1997, 1998), have qualified for the GLIAC Tournament on 10 occasions (1996-99, 2005, 2008-2012) and have advanced to the NCAA Tournament on two occasions (1987, 1994).
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