The William Woods University volleyball team travels to no. 25 Park University for an American Midwest Conference showdown on Monday. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
Matchup
The Owls come into Monday's affair at 19-17 on the year and in fourth place in the AMC at 11-5. The Pirates stand one game above William Woods in third with a 12-4 mark. Park is 23-10 on the season and is ranked 25th in the NAIA Coaches' Poll.
Last Time Out
William Woods split a pair of matches on Saturday afternoon as they hosted the 2012 Domino's Pizza Triangular.
The Owls won in dominating fashion 3-0 (25-7, 25-5, 25-17) against Fontbonne University in the morning session, but fell to Missouri Valley in five sets at 2-3 (23-25, 21-25, 25-13, 25-23, 15-8) during the afternoon match.
Playing The Best
Monday's match is the fifth time this season William Woods will face a top 25 NAIA opponent. The Owls are 0-5 against teams currently in the top 25. WWU suffered a pair of 3-0 losses to no. 3 Columbia College. William Woods nearly pulled off an upset on the road at no. 13 Missouri Baptist on Oct. 2 falling 3-2 (23-25, 19-25, 25-21, 26-24, 16-18). MBU also defeated the Owls 3-1 (14-25, 10-25, 25-23, 20-25) in Anderson Arena last Wednesday. The Owls battled then-unranked no. 25 Park to a tough 3-1 (26-28, 23-25, 25-20, 21-25) loss on Sept. 18.
Shooting For 20
With a win on Monday William Woods would secure its first 20-win season since 2009.
Career Day
During Saturday's afternoon match against Missouri Valley, senior setter
Sarah Wehmeyer set a new personal best with 19 digs.
National Rankings
As a team, William Woods ranks in the top 45 of the NAIA in six different categories. The Owls rank ninth in total digs (2,245), 23rd in digs/set (17.68), 32nd in total blocks (235), 36th in total assists (1,330), 39th in total kills (1,463) and 41st in service aces (194).
The Owls have three players ranked in the top 45 of the NAIA across six different categories. Senior libero
Amanda Henley ranks 12th in total digs with 637, 21st in digs/set with 5.26 and 44th in service aces with 45. Senior setter
Sarah Wehmeyer ranks 15th in total assists with 1,177. Freshman
Emily Becker rounds out the trio ranking 26th in total kills with 402 and 38th in total blocks with 110.
AMC Leaders
The Owls are the top team in the AMC in total digs (2,245) and digs/set (17.7).
Senior libero
Amanda Henley leads the AMC in total digs with 637.
A Look At Park
The Pirates comes into Monday's match at 23-10 on the year and in third place in the AMC at 12-4.
Park is ranked 25th in the latest NAIA coaches' poll and they are on a modest three-game winning streak.
The Pirates are led in hitting percentage by Lauren Purdy with an AMC best .344 mark. As a team, Park ranks third in the AMC in both hitting percentage with a .239 clip and in kills/set at 12.6. Patrcia Souza leads the Pirates with 387 kills.
