BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – The William Woods University volleyball team kicks off its 2015 season on Friday morning, as the Owls travel to Bartlesville, Oklahoma for the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Tournament. The first serve is set at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.
WWU will look for key wins to start off the season in the four game, two day tournament. On Friday the team will start the tournament with a match-up against Bacone College at 11:00 a.m, then end the day against Sterling College at 3:00 p.m. On Saturday at 9:00 a.m the Owls will square off against Langston University before wrapping up its tournament play against Manhattan Christian College at 3:00 p.m.
"This weekend we are really looking to come together as a team and work as a cohesive unit," said head coach
Monica Herschelman. "We have seen great things from many players, but they will have to produce when in counts and continue to build on our strengths and improve our weaknesses."
The Owls are coming off a 2014 season that saw them capture an overall record of 23-16, but finished fourth in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) after posting an 8-4 regular season record. The team advanced onto the AMC Semifinals after defeating Williams Baptist College in the first round of the AMC Tournament, however, they had its 2014 campaign come to an end at the hands of No. 2 Park University, who later in the season went on the win the NAIA National Championship.
This year, with WWU returning a handful of experience leadership, along with the addition of new coming talent, the team has high expectations on the season.
Guiding the way for the Owls will be standout senior,
Emily Becker, as the three-time All-AMC first team and NAIA All-American honorable mention honoree looks to end her career on a strong note.
Becker, a Belleville, Illinois native, led WWU and set a new career-best 49 aces, which was ninth-best in the AMC. She recorded a team-high seven double-doubles and was second on the team in kills (379) and blocks (91) last season.
First-up for William Woods is Bacone College, a team that is coming off a 13-21 overall record and a 8-5 Red River Athletic Conference record last season. Also, looking to kick-off its 2015 season.
The Lady Warrior's will be sending several new faces to the court, as the team only returns two players from its 2014 squad.
Later on Friday afternoon, the Owls meet up with Sterling College, who are coming off a 2014 season that saw the team post an overall record of 20-18 and whom are currently 3-1 on the 2015 season. The Warriors have defeated Southwestern Christian, Southwest (N.M) and York College all in straight sets but fell to Peru State in five.
Leading the way for Sterling is Rachel Johnson as the Larkspur, Colorado native, has collected 45 kills on the season.
On Saturday, WWU starts the day off bright and early against Langston University, who are coming off a .500 (15-15) 2014 season, however the Lions have had a rocky start to the 2015 season, dropping its first four matches.
Kori Williams, the Lions setter, leads the team in assists (42) and digs (30).
Then wrapping up on Saturday for the Owls is a match against Manhattan Christian College, who are coming off an 17-13 2014 season, that saw the Lady Thunder capture the NCCAA Central Region title.
"Most of the teams have not played yet so they are looking to get their first win on the season, much like us," expressed Herschelman. "We just need to come out strong and be able to control our side of the net by limiting errors and keeping the tempo up."
The Owls look to gain the early momentum on the year by coming home with four wins. Herschelman added, "The team will need to play together as a team and focus on a strong serve and receive game to be successful this weekend."
Fans check back on wwuowls.com tomorrow evening for a full recap and scores from Oklahoma.
