The Tiffin University Volleyball team will open the 2021 campaign on the road in the Ferris State Tournament.
Game Information:
Tiffin Dragons (0-0)
At. Ferris State Bulldogs (0-0)
Thursday, Sept. 2 | 5:00 p.m.
Big Rapids, Mich. | Ewigleben Sports Arena
Vs. Davenport Panthers (0-0)
Friday, Sept. 3 | 9:00 a.m.
Big Rapids, Mich. | Jim Wink Arena
Vs. Oklahoma Baptist Bison (0-0)
Friday, Sept. 3 | 3:30 p.m.
Big Rapids, Mich. | Ewigleben Sports Arena
Vs. McKendree Bearcats (0-0)
Big Rapids, Mich. | Jim Wink Arena
Saturday, Sept. 4 | 2:00 p.m.
Dragon Details:
The Tiffin Dragons Volleyball team looks to continue their pursuit of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference championship, having reached the tournament championship game in back-to-back seasons.
The Dragons went 8-6 last season and are returning multiple veteran players including Second Team selections setter Loryn Huffman, libero Sam Fallis, and middle hitter Grace Schreiber. Fallis led the conference in digs per game while Huffman and Schreiber also ranked amongst the GMAC leaders in assists and hitting percentage. A mix of other returners and a promising freshmen class also adds to the talent of this year's team as Tiffin looks to continue one of the best stretches in program history.
In her fifth season as head coach, Shauna Hurles and her team were picked 2nd in the South Division with 4 first-place votes closely behind Cedarville which received 7 first-place votes.
Scouting the Bulldogs:
Ferris State's volleyball squad has claimed six consecutive GLIAC Regular Season and Tournament championships prior to a shortened 2021 spring season. FSU finished with an 11-5 overall record and reached the semifinals of the league tournament.
The Bulldogs return All-American right-side hitter Katie O'Connell along with veterans Samantha Hermann and Kira Merkle at the middle hitter positions. FSU also welcomes back libero Nina Gorgijevska and setter Kaylee Maat, who saw the bulk of the action at that position last spring.
Ferris State has also added seven newcomers to the fall squad with 10 returners from the spring campaign.
Scouting the Panthers:
Coming off their best winning percentage in a season since 2014, the Davenport University women's volleyball program was picked to finish third in the GLIAC South Division for the 2021 season. The Panthers finished their spring 2021 campaign with an 11-7 record including a 3-1 stretch to finish the season in the GLIAC Tournament.
The Panthers return a trio of All-GLIAC performers including two-time first-team honoree, Hayley Kreiger, second-team standout Riley Groves, and honorable mention member Emmy Webb. Also back are the team's leader in blocks, Megan Herr, second-year setter Nicole Odeen, and a pair of liberos in Nina Rudnitsky and Stephanie Kalinowski. Those seven are part of a roster with 25 student-athletes including five freshmen, one sophomore, seven juniors, and five seniors.
Scouting the Bison:
Oklahoma Baptist posted an 18-0 record, won a second straight GAC Championship, and attained a No. 1 ranking by the AVCA for the first time in history. They also were the first Bison sports program since joining NCAA Division II to reach No. 1 in the nation.
The Bison are returning several key members from last spring including outside hitter Malia Leatherland. She returns after finishing second in the GAC in points (4.21) and third in kills (3.61). She was also a First-Team All-GAC selection. Kaylee Buell, the GAC's Setter of the Year, posted the top average in assists (10.36), while Taneyah Brown finished fourth in both blocks (1.02) and points (3.61). Brown also was a Second Team All-GAC honoree. Additionally, 6-foot-2 middle blocker and Honorable Mention selection Audrey Poupard led the league in blocks, averaging 1.38 per set, and Second Team member Diana Carranza posted the seventh-best mark in digs (5.21), plus the GAC's Freshman of the Year, Avery Hellmuth.
The Bison Volleyball team was selected first in the GAC Preseason Poll with 10 of the 12 first-place votes, earning them their highest GAC preseason ranking in program history.
Scouting the Bearcats:
McKendree was picked fourth in the GLVC East Division Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Bearcats welcome back 14 returners from last season including key members Colleen Preusser who led the offense in kills and kills per set, Brianna Binder who was second in kills and kills per set, and led the team with 22 aces, and Maddie Misner recorded 91 kills, 13 aces, 134 digs, and 14 blocks as McKendree finished with a 6-10 record.