The William Woods University volleyball team closes out its regular season schedule against Hannibal-LaGrange University on Thursday night in a preview of the AMC Postseason Tournament. The match, presented by State Farm/Don Woodson, is Senior Night for the Owls, with first serve set for 7 p.m.
Matchup
Thursday is a key matchup for both teams. A win gives WWU the right to host the opening round match in the upcoming AMC Tournament.
William Woods comes into the match in fourth place in the AMC at 11-6. They hold an 19-18 overall record. The Trojans come into Anderson Arena a game behind WWU in fifth place at 10-7. Hannibal-LaGrange is 17-18 on the year.
Last Time Out
On Monday night William Woods lost 3-0 (23-25, 18-25, 12-25) at no. 25 Park University.
Kristen Bauer led the Owls with 10 kills on the night, while
Sarah Wehmeyer posted her 17th double-double on the year with 17 assists and 10 digs.
Senior Night
Thursday will be the final regular season home game for four Owls. Seniors
Amanda Coker,
Amanda Henley,
Emily Nolte and
Sarah Wehmeyer will be honored prior to the start of the match.
Hosting Rights
The fourth seed in the AMC Tournament is up for grabs on Thursday for both teams. A win by William Woods sets up a first round rematch between these two squads at Anderson Arena. Hannibal-LaGrange needs to win by two sets to earn the season tiebreaker and the no. 4 seed.
Shooting For 20
With a win on Thursday William Woods would secure its first 20-win season since 2009.
National Rankings
As a team, William Woods ranks in the top 45 of the NAIA in six different categories. The Owls rank eighth in total digs (2,290), 23rd in digs/set (17.62), 33rd in total blocks (238), 42nd in total assists (1,350) and 43rd in both total kills (1,486) and service aces (195).
The Owls have three players ranked in the top 45 of the NAIA across five different categories. Senior libero
Amanda Henley ranks 12th in total digs with 649 and 23rd in digs/set with 5.23. Senior setter
Sarah Wehmeyer ranks 16th in total assists with 1,194. Freshman
Emily Becker rounds out the trio ranking 30th in total kills with 407 and 37th in total blocks with 112.
AMC Leaders
The Owls are the top team in the AMC in total digs (2,290) and digs/set (17.6).
Senior libero
Amanda Henley leads the AMC in total digs with 649.
A Look At Hannibal-LaGrange
The Trojans come into Anderson Arena at 17-18 on the year. At 10-7, the Trojans are in fifth place in the league, one game behind William Woods.
Hannibal-LaGrange ranks seventh in the AMC in hitting percentage with a .153 mark. Individually they are led by Caitlin McCoy's .164 percentage. Setter Megan Henry ranks fifth in the AMC in total assists with 976.
Lindsay Smith ranks fifth in the AMC in total kills with 402, while Brook Van Es anchors the Trojan defense with 330 digs.
