Hear From Coach Ashley Nehls
 
FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University Volleyball team will take the court for its first match of the season on Tuesday, August 21st when they host the Wildcats of Culver-Stockton College at Anderson Arena. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
 
About the Wildcats
Culver-Stockton enters the 2018 season after going 9-24 on the season in 2017. This year, the Wildcats are led by Daniel Cabrera, who enters his first year as the Wildcats head coach. Last season, the Wildcats were led by Gabby Hickman, who had 348 kills on the season. She had a hitting percentage of .193, and she returns to the Wildcats lineup as a senior outside hitter.  Culver-Stockton returns nine girls from last years team and have nine newcomers to this year's team.
 
Last Year Against the Wildcats
Last season, the Owls and Wildcats opened the season on August 23rd when WWU traveled to Canton, Missouri. The Owls came away with a 3-1 (26-24, 21-25, 25-18, 25-12) victory over CSC. Kate Doerhoff and Rayleen Rivera led the Owls with nine kills each and Tory Wiley followed with eight kills. All three return to the Owls for the 2018 season.
 
All-Time vs. Culver-Stockton
The Owls and Wildcats have squared off 52 times in history, with Tuesday night marking the 53rd contest between the two schools. Over the last 10 times WWU and CSC have squared off, the Owls have won seven of the last ten. Currently, the Owls are on a four-match winning streak over the Wildcats.
 
Season Openers (Since 2010)
Since 2010, the Owls are 3-5 in season openers. Last season the Owls defeated Culver-Stockton, 3-1, in its season opener. The other season opening wins came in 2015 against Bacone College and 2010 against Central Methodist University.
 
Season Openers with Coach Nehls
Head Coach Ashely Nehls enters her second season at the helm of the Owls volleyball team. She is 1-0 in season openers at WWU.
 
Owls Recording the Blocks
Last season, the Owls ranked seventh in the nation in blocks per set (2.52). They tallied the 13th best mark in the NAIA with 299.5 blocks on the season. Leading the way was Kira Krebill. Krebill ranked 12th in the nation in blocks per set (1.25) and 25th in the nation in total blocks with 137. Krebill returns to the Owls this season as a junior.
 
AMC Preseason Coach's Poll
The American Midwest Conference office announced the 2018 AMC Women's Volleyball Preseason Coach's Poll on Monday August 13th. The Owls are projected to finish fourth in the AMC this season. The three teams in front of the Owls are Missouri Baptist (1), Park (2), and Columbia (3), all of which are ranked in the NAIA Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
 
Winning at Anderson Arena
William Woods won eight matches at Anderson Arena this past season. The eight wins is the most since the Owls won eight matches in 2015. WWU also won 12 matches at Anderson Arena in 2012. WWU appears at home 12 times during the 2018 season.