The William Woods University volleyball team will make its first of two trips to Columbia this week tonight as they play American Midwest Conference opponent Stephens College. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Matchup
The Owls come into tonight's match with a 13-13 record overall and a 7-3 mark in the AMC. Stephens College is 4-9 on the year and 3-5 in league play.
Last Time Out
The Owls traveled to St. Louis on Tuesday to face-off with 20th ranked Missouri Baptist University. WWU nearly pulled off the biggest upset in the
Monica Herschelman era taking the Spartans to five sets. During the deciding set William Woods held a late 13-10 led, but were unable to close out as they lost the set 16-18 en route to the 2-3 (23-25, 19-25, 25-21, 26-24, 16-18) defeat.
AMC Player Of The Week
Freshman
Emily Becker was named the AMC Player of the Week for the week ending September 30. Becker averaged better than four kills a set last week with a hitting percentage of .340 in leading William Woods to four AMC wins during the stretch. The freshman averaged 14.42 kills per match with six double-digit kill matches. In a four set win over Westminster College, Emily posted a career-high 20 kills and added six digs and three aces. Earlier in the week the versatile freshman picked up a double-double against Lindenwood University-Belleville and was two blocks short of a triple-double with 12 kills, 14 digs and eight blocks. On the week Emily notched 101 kills, 59 digs, 14 service aces, five solo blocks and 18 block assists.
Chasing History
A pair of Owls are chasing both all-time and single-season milestones within the next few games.
Senior libero
Amanda Henley needs only 28 digs to become second all-time on the career digs list. Henley currently has 1,936 digs and is chasing Skye Wade who finished her Owls career with 1,964 digs. She will pass Wade either tonight or on Saturday at Columbia College.
Freshman
Emily Becker needs only 58 more kills to crack the top 10 single-season kills list. Becker currently has 303 kills. She is currently averaging 3.52 kills/set which puts her on pace to finish second on the single-season list.
National Rankings
As a team, William Woods ranks in the top 20 for the NAIA in five different categories. The Owls rank third in total digs (1667), 10th in digs/set (18.5), 17th in total kills (1062), 20th in total service aces (146) and 22nd in total assists (940).
The Owls have three players ranked in the NAIA top 45 in seven different categories. Senior
Amanda Henley ranks sixth in total digs with 463, 14th in digs/set with 5.45 and 37th in service aces with 34. Senior
Sarah Wehmeyer ranks eighth in total assists with 838. Freshman
Emily Becker rounds out the trio ranking 18th in total kills (303), 42nd in total blocks (73) and 44th in kills/set (3.52).
AMC Leaders
The Owls are the top team in the AMC in total digs (1667) and digs/set (18.5). Senior
Amanda Henley leads the AMC in total digs (463) and digs/set (5.45).
Hot Of Late
Despite losing a tough game at Missouri Baptist, the Owls have won nine of their last 10 and 11 of their last 14 games to even up their record at 13-13 on the year.
A Look At Stephens College
The Stars come into tonight's match in sixth place in the AMC with a 3-5 record. Stephens has recorded a two league victories Benedictine University at Springfield and one over Harris-Stowe.
The Stars have a .119 hitting percentage as a team and have 389 total kills. To put that in perspective, William Woods freshman
Emily Becker has 303 individual kills. Stephens is led in kills by Kelsey Byrd with 83.
Previous Matchup
These two schools met up exactly one month ago today. On Sept. 4, the Owls defeated the Stars 3-0 in Fulton.
Sarah Wehmeyer put up a double-double with 31 assist and 11 digs, while
Emily Becker paced the offense with 10 kills.
Coaches Corner
“We are looking to get back into the win column tonight against Stephens College. We have a huge game against Columbia College on Saturday, and while we are not overlooking Stephens, we think it will be a good tune up for our team.”
