DETROIT -- Fresh off a 2-2 start to the campaign after the annual Warrior Invitational, the Wayne State University volleyball team is slated to play on the road for the first time this season. Friday and Saturday, the Warriors will be in Erie, Pa. for the five-team Gannon Invitational. WSU's schedule includes Eckerd (2:30 p.m.) and the host Golden Knights (7 p.m.) on Friday before Clarion (12:15 p.m.) and Malone (4:45 p.m.) the following Saturday.
"We're looking forward to our first road trip of the season against some very good competition," said head coach
Tim Koth. "It will be a good test to see if we can carry over our training into improved match habits."
Like Wayne State,
Eckerd split its first four matches of the season while hosting a tournament of its own, the Eckerd Classic, on Friday and Saturday. That quartet of showings includes straight-set victories over Wilmington and North Greenville along with setbacks against Puerto Rico-Mayaguez (3-2) and Pittsburg State (3-1). Offensively, the Tritons were spearheaded by a trio of student-athletes in redshirt senior Seiler Hruska (63 kills), junior Grace Dumont (162 assists) and redshirt junior Hayden Nash (nine service aces). Switching over to the defensive side of the ball, junior Sydney Williams (61 digs) and junior Peyton Walker (15 total blocks) were at the forefront of EC's efforts. Eckerd is coached by 15th-year leader Michelle Piantadosi-Lima, who owns an overall record of 237-154 in that span for a .606 winning percentage.
Gannon won one of its first three matches defeating Cedarville in five sets, but fell to top-ranked Concordia-St. Paul in four and No. 24 Missouri-St. Louis by the same score. The Golden Knights, who were ranked No. 23 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Preseason Poll, still received 38 votes this week, good for a tie-for-29th in the country. Statistically, senior Lauren Atwell was one of seven players named to the Cedarville Invitational All-Tournament Team. Atwell's numbers included 22 kills, a .486 hitting percentage and a team-leading 11 total blocks. Rounding out the Golden Knights' leaders for the first week were sophomore Abbey Williams (48 kills, six aces), junior Ava Gainer (120 assists) and sophomore Alexis Fowler (67 digs). Led by another veteran, Gannon is coached by 20th-year front man, Matt Darling, who is 460-161 in those 19-plus seasons for a .741 winning percentage.
Among the five teams playing in this tournament,
Clarion experienced the most success on opening week going 4-0 as part of its own tournament, the Tony Banner Memorial Tournament. The Golden Eagles' four victories, in order, included 3-1 over Shippensburg, 3-0 against Franklin Pierce, 3-2 opposite Daemen, and 3-0 versus West Virginia Wesleyan. Before getting to Clarion's individual leaders, the program is paced by a second 20th-year head coach in Jennifer Herron, who's 412-179 in her 19-plus seasons at the helm. Unlike the first two teams listed, the Golden Eagles' leaders aren't as clear cut outside of senior Taylor Haupt (46 kills). Staying on offense, that side also features Haupt's nine service aces, sophomore Natalie Karrick (71 assists, nine aces), Kylie Barto (55 assists) and junior Lauren Fjerstad (nine aces). Defensively, the undefeated squad was carried by redshirt freshman Kalina Powell (59 digs), Haupt (55 digs), freshman Cara Vandeborne (22 total blocks), redshirt junior Emily Klopp (21 blocks), and senior Finley Kearney (20 blocks).
Like Wayne State, Eckerd and Clarion,
Malone hosted a tournament for its first matches of the season, the Hall of Fame City Challenge. The Pioneers dropped their opener to Edinboro in straight sets before defeating Charleston 3-2 and Roberts Wesleyan 3-0. So far, the top of MU's individual statistical charts highlight the likes of senior Jaymes Gilbert (32 kills, 13 total blocks), Helaina Edgar (59 assists), freshman Kelsey Williams (six service aces), and sophomore Madalyn Coblentz (six aces, 24 digs). Lauren Allaway was officially announced as Malone's head coach Feb. 18.
Once Wayne State has played the four teams above with eight total matches under its belt, the Warriors will return home for the beginning of GLIAC play on Sept. 11-12. That Friday, WSU will host Saginaw Valley State at 7 p.m. before seeing Grand Valley State the following Saturday beginning at 4 p.m.
