SHAWNEE – The No. 9-ranked (AVCA) Oklahoma Baptist volleyball squad will fly to Big Rapids, Michigan to take part in the Ferris State University Invitational this coming weekend. Head Coach
Anna Howle's team will play a few talented squads, including No. 13 Hillsdale, during the two-day invite.
Here's a look at OBU's opponents:
Winona State University |
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference |
2019 Record: 21-8
The Warriors come into the 2021 fall campaign having not played an official NCAA match since Nov. 22, 2019, a span of 651 days. Despite the long layoff, Winona is well-recognized. The initial AVCA Preseason Poll had the Warriors receiving votes. In the Northern Sun, coach Joe Getzin's team was picked to finish fifth, but did receive a first-place vote.
Key returners:
No. 8 Megan Flom | Recorded a team-high 358 kills and 427 points.
No. 2 Bre Maloney | Dished out 1,085 assists.
No. 10 Becca Pagel | Notched 465 digs.
No. 15 Madison Rizner | Tallied 116.0 blocks.
*Statistics from 2019
Tiffin University |
Great Midwest Athletic Conference |
Spring 2021 Record: 8-6
During the spring, the Dragons were able to get 14 matches in, one of which was in the GMAC Championship. That match, on March 13, saw Tiffin fall in four sets to Hillsdale. Heading into the fall season, head coach Shauna Hurles and her team earned the third-most first-place votes in the GMAC Preseason Poll while being picked to finish second in the conference's South Division.
Key returners:
No. 5 Grace Schreiber | Led Tiffin with 139 kills and 49 total blocks in the spring. Second Team All-GMAC selection.
No. 2 Loryn Huffman | Handed out a team-high 518 assists. Also notched 173 digs and earned league Second Team recognition.
No. 8 Sam Fallis | Tallied a team-high 270 digs and earned Second Team All-GMAC accolades.
Davenport University |
Great Lakes Intercollegiate |
Spring 2021 Record: 11-7
Under the direction of third-year coach Brian Netzler, the Panthers enter the fall season with high hopes after posting their best winning percentage since 2014. During the spring, the Panthers won the consolation final of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament. Heading into the fall, Davenport was picked to finish fourth overall, including third in the South Division behind perennial contenders Grand Valley State and Ferris State.
Key Returners:
No. 4 Hayley Kreiger | Led the GLIAC with 267 kills. Was also named All-GLIAC First Team.
No. 15 Riley Groves | All-GLIAC Second Team honoree after notching 2.56 kills per set.
No. 20 Emmy Webb | Tallied 52.0 blocks in the spring. All-GLIAC Honorable Mention selection.
Hillsdale College |
Great Midwest Athletic Conference |
Spring 2021 Record: 20-3
The Chargers are among the most recognized programs in the country. Their leader, Chris Gravel, has been named the GMAC's Coach of the Year four straight times. His team has also won four consecutive conference championships and made the NCAA Tournament four times in the previous five seasons. Since the 2017 season, Hillsdale has attained a remarkable 101-18 (.845) record.
Key Returners:
No. 7 Karoline Shelton | First Team All-GMAC selection and Offensive Player of the Year during the spring. Ranked second in the conference in kills per set (3.80). Also averaged 3.55 digs.
No. 4 Alli Wiese | Recorded 310 digs (2nd in GMAC) and earned First Team league accolades.
No. 8 Maizie Brown | Another First Team selection. Her .351 attack percentage ranked in the top six of league categories as well as blocks per set (0.90).
