Volleyball | 9/25/2014 8:25:00 AM

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University volleyball program (3-6, 1-4 GLIAC) will look to find its stride on the road as the Warriors will play at Malone (3-7, 1-4 GLIAC) on Friday and at Walsh (0-9, 0-5 GLIAC) at 4 PM on Saturday.

NEW LEADER
A familiar name in the GLIAC, Tim Koth came to WSU after 10 highly productive seasons at Northwood, which included 175 victories, five NCAA Tournament appearances and a GLIAC Tournament title in 2012. Koth will look to return the Warriors to the GLIAC Tournament after being absent in 2013 for the first time since 2006, and the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1994. He carries a career record of 285-267 in his 19 years of coaching. He is assisted by Michael Lozier and Dale Hartzell.

2014 CAPTAINS
Coach Koth announced his team captains for the 2014 season on July 28th. Senior Carlee Hunt (Waterford, Mich. / Walled Lake Northern), junior Madison Reeves (Indianapolis, Ind. / Avon), junior Kelsey Bonewits (Griffith, Ind.) and sophomore Mikayla Shell (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) will serve as the team's leaders this season.

"We believe these four ladies each bring their own different qualities as leaders for our team," said Koth. "In naming Carlee, Kelsey, Madison, and Mikayla – we have a lot of faith that we will have good leadership both on the floor, in the locker room and out in the community – and that they will represent Wayne State Volleyball in the manner in which we expect. We are looking forward to getting started in a few weeks."

Hunt was named to the GLIAC All-Academic Team and served as a team captain in 2013. She played in 29 matches, started 21 times and appeared in 104 sets. Hunt was second on the team with 277 digs (2.66/set). Reeves, who was named to the GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team last season, also served as a team captain. She was a CoSIDA Academic All-District nominee, started all 26 matches played and led the team with 909 assists (9.09/set). Bonewits was also named to the GLIAC All-Academic Team and played in 26 matches in 2013, starting 24 times. She was fourth on the team with 119 kills (1.37/set) and led team with 80 total blocks (0.92/set), including 11 solo blocks. Shell played in 23 matches and made 10 starts. She appeared in 66 sets and totaled 74 kills (1.12/set).

IN THE POLLS
The GLIAC announced its Preseason Coaches' Poll on Aug. 14 with the Warriors and first-year head coach Tim Koth predicted to finish fifth in the North Division. Grand Valley State was selected to win the North with 55 points and seven first-place votes with Ferris State picking up the eighth and final first-place vote. The coaches tabbed Ashland as the preseason favorite to win the South Division with 46 points and six first-place votes. Hillsdale snagged the other two first-place votes.

YOUTH MOVEMENT
All five newcomers are making a significant impact in their first season with the program. As Coach Koth predicted prior to the season, all five have found time in the rotation while a few have made starts for the Green & Gold. Hannah Moore, the GLIAC North Player of the Week, has played in all 37 sets while making eight starts. She is second on the team with 89 kills (2.41/set) and 93 digs (2.51/set). Grace Frazee also has appeared in 36 sets thus far, starting eight matches. She has collected 60 kills (1.67/set). Michelle Asiedu has brought her athleticism to the roster and has played in all nine matches totaling 51 kills (1.82/set). Madison Kielty is the team's libero and leads the team with 103 digs (3.81/set), while Brittany Guldan has seen action in 18 sets and dished out 148 assists (8.22/set).

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
The Malone University volleyball team, under the direction of veteran head coach Tanya Hockman, returns a number of key players in 2014 as the squad looks to improve upon last year's 7-11 conference record.

Back to lead the way for the Pioneer attack are libero Katie Hasebein, outside hitter Anna Hays and middle hitter Elizabeth Maczuzak. Hasebein ranked ninth in the conference with 4.13 digs per set last year. Hays tallied 1.91 kills per set in 2013 and her average of 0.43 aces per frame was second best in the GLIAC. Maczuzak also made substantial contributions, totaling 174 kills and ranking second on the team with 55 total blocks.

With the loss of outside hitter Taylor Slauterbeck due to offseason surgery, Malone will also be looking for solid contributions at the OH position from junior Sarah Brent, sophomore Victoria Yoder and newcomers Ashley Boyd and Shelbi Meek.

SCOUTING THE CAVALIERS
Head Coach Erin Stine returns nine letter winners from last year, and welcomes three new faces to the lineup in 2014. The Cavs finished 5-23 overall last year and 2-16 in the GLIAC.

The key returners for this season include outside hitter Kelsey Snider (5-10, Jr., Olmsted Falls, OH/HS), who was a mainstay in the Cavs' in 2013. Snider returns with improved consistency, and better blocking technique after intensive work in the off season. Also returning is sophomore Haley Howell (5-11, Clarkston, MI/Our Lady of the Lakes), the Cavaliers lone setter last season. 

SERIES HISTORY
Wayne State has dropped each of their two meetings with Malone in a series that just began in 2011. The Warriors lead the sereis with Walsh 2-1. The Cavaliers took the first-ever meeting before joining the GLIAC.

LAST TIME OUT
WSU dropped a midweek contest to Saginaw Valley State (6-3, 3-2 GLIAC) on Tuesday night, 3-1. The Warriors took the first set 25-20 but the Cardinals responded by taking three straight, tightly contested sets, 25-22, 25-23 and 25-23. Set number four featured six ties and four lead changes. Heather Weiss led the offense with 19 kills while hitting .410. Hannah Moore posted her fifth double-double of the season with 13 kills and 11 digs. Carlee Hunt aided the defense with 12 digs. Brittany Guldan dished out 36 assists.

UP NEXT
After the road weekend, WSU will return to Detroit for matchups with Hillsdale (Oct. 3 at 7 PM) and Findlay (Oct. 4 at 4 PM).