OLATHE, Kan. – After having a week off from competition, the William Woods University volleyball team jumps right back into action at the two day, four game Mid-America Nazarene University Tournament, beginning on Friday afternoon.
The Owls (9-6; 1-0 AMC), look to have a strong showing this weekend and capture some momentum to its season before getting back to their American Midwest Conference part of schedule. WWU will kick-off the tournament at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, with a match-up against Benedictine College, then later that evening the team will meet up with No.9 ranked Evangel University at 5:00 p.m. At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, the Owls will start the second day of the tournament off with a re-match against Baker University before wrapping up the tournament squaring off with the host, No. 23 ranked Mid-America Nazarene University.
On the season, the Owls offense has played a key role in their success, as the team has collected 690 kills on the year, while three players have reach triple-digits in the kill category.
Leading the way is senior
Emily Becker, who has totaled 169 kills, which is not only the best on the team but is ranked third in the AMC. The Belleville, Illinois native also leads the team with six double-doubles on the year.
Stephanie Davis, is second on the team in kills with 135, however, she leads the team with an attack percentage of .271 and 33 blocks on the year. Another senior,
Lauren Rodewald has made her presence this year by amassing 122 kills and an attack percentage of .232 on the season.
The Owls setter,
Brittney Engelbrecht continues to have a stellar year, as the sophomore has complied a team-high 568 assists, which not only sits a top of the AMC but also good enough for 23
rd in the nation.
Defensively, WWU has been just as strong as its offense has, junior
Shelby Hinshaw leads the back row, as the libero has recorded a career-high 247 digs, which is second best in the AMC. Freshman
Melanie Kala has also proved that she can make an impact to the Owls defense by totaling 115 digs with only 12 errors on the year.
On Friday, the Owls open up at 12:00 p.m. against Benedictine College, who are 4-7 overall and 0-4 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Ravens are currently on a four game skid entering the tournament. Taylor Fortner has paced BC offensively, posting 83 kills and leading the team with 14 aces, while Taylor Garner has handed out a team-high 308 assists and Abby Brown sits a top of the team in the dig department with 90.
Later that evening, WWU square off with Evangel University at 5:00 p.m. who is currently ranked ninth in the nation with an undefeated 17-0 overall record and are 4-0 in the HAAC on the season. The Crusaders enter the tournament with 741 kills on the season, as Haley Watson leads the way with 181. The team is also ranked fourth in the nation with a 173 blocks as a team, while Morgan Kensinger has recorded a team-high 84.
Then on Saturday, the Owls will look for redemption in its first game against Baker University at 10:00 a.m. The Wildcats who bet WWU in three straight sets (17-25, 13-25, 12-25) earlier this season at the Bellevue Tournament, are currently 8-7 on the year and has dropped six of its last seven matches.
Finally, to close out the tournament for the Owls will be a meeting with the number 23 ranked and host Mid-America Nazarene University. The Pioneers sit atop of the HAAC with a 4-0 record and a 12-6 overall record on the year. They are currently riding a four game win streak, as the team ranks in the top 20 of the nation in total assists (797) and kills (850).
For information about the MNU tournament and live stats/video click
hereFans stay updated on wwuowls.com for recaps and scores of the MNU tournament.
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