FAYETTE, Iowa - The Upper Iowa volleyball team (0-8) heads south to compete at the Truman State Tournament in Kirksville, Missouri. The Peacocks battle against GLVC foes William Jewell (Mo.) (0-8) and Rockhurst (Mo.) (4-4) in nonconference games.
LIVE OPTIONS
Fans unable to attend the game in Kirksville this weekend can stay connected with a pair of live options available at UIUPeacocks.com/Live, featuring access to live stats and a pay-per-view webcast through GLVCSN. Fans can also refer to the links attached to this story for all live options.
In addition to GLVCSN.com, viewers can catch the Peacocks on the GLVCSN iOS and Android mobile app, as well as the GLVCSN app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV.
LAST TIME OUT
The Peacocks competed this past weekend at Minnesota State's Mankato Invitational. Sophomore Morgan Block earned All-Tournament Team accolades after totaling 71 digs (5.46 per set) and a 96.6% reception rating.
The Peacocks fell in four sets to Minnesota Crookston (6-2) and lost in three sets to Chadron State (Neb.) (3-5), No. 22 Northern State (8-0) and Minnesota State (8-0). UIU's closest set was against Northern State in the second set, falling just short at 27-25.
Martha Pace led the Peacocks in attacking with 42 kills (3.5 per set). She also added 37 digs, the third most on the team. Middle hitter Kailey Porter totaled 29 kills, and Carley Jonker added 22 kills.
Grace Fruzen led the team in assists with 79 (6.08 per set) while also adding 39 digs. Jaeden Cook totaled 44 assists (3.67 per set). Lydia Imbrogno recorded 30 digs.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Block has totaled 130 digs (4.81 per set), which both rank second in the GLVC. She also ranks 53rd nationally in total digs and 48th in digs per set.
Pace leads the team in kills with 70 total this season, ranking 16th in the GLVC. Fruzen has 139 assists (5.15 per set) to lead the Peacocks. She ranks 12th in the conference in total assists and 10th in assists per set.
AROUND THE GLVC
Five of the 14 GLVC teams have a winning record entering this week. The remaining nine are .500 or below. Illinois Springfield leads the conference with a 6-1 record and has won six straight matches.
Missouri-St. Louis (6-2) is the top team from the GLVC receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches' Poll with 10. The Tritons' two losses are to No. 24 Minnesota Duluth and No. 5 Nebraska Kearney.
UIndy (6-2) is also receiving points in the AVCA Coaches' Poll with five. The Greyhounds' two losses were in five sets to Parkside (Wis.) and West Liberty (W.V.). UIndy also picked up a win in the opening weekend against No. 14 Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.).
Drury (Mo.) is 6-2 after winning five straight matches. Quincy (Ill.) is 5-2. Rockhurst and Lewis are even at 4-4.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS - Saturday at 2 p.m.
William Jewell started its season at the Midwestern Invitational in Wichita Falls, Texas, and competed this past weekend at the Washburn Invitational in Topeka, Kansas. The Cardinals have played Newman (Kan.) (2-6) twice, getting swept in the first match and winning a set in the second match. That is the only set William Jewell has won so far this season.
Senior Emma Lea Benney leads the team in kills with 58 (2.32 per set). Sophomore Macy Bartlett has added 38 kills (1.52 per set). Olivia Starr and Reaghan Bible lead the team in assists with 76 and 67, respectively. Lea Benney also leads the team in digs with 64 (2.56 per set), and senior Alexis Nunn has added 61 digs (3.21 per set).
Head coach Joe Adams is in his first season with William Jewell. He previously spent 11 seasons at Coe College as an assistant coach, helping the Kohawks to a record of 226-113.
ABOUT THE HAWKS - Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Rockhurst won its first four games at the Fort Hays State (Kan.) Invitational, but then lost four straight at the Denali State Back Ice Block Classic in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Hawks lost matches to Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Fairbanks, who are both receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches' Poll. Rockhurst has won a set in every match they've played this season.
Senior Sarah Pyle (104 kills/3.25 per set) and junior Alyssa McDonald (103 kills/3.22 per set) lead the attack for Rockhurst. Junior Molly Trachta leads the team in assists with 176 (5.50 per set), along with junior Mary Kate Mulvaney with 141 (4.70 per set). Pyle also leads the team in digs with 100 (3.13 per set) while freshman Katie Vargo is adding 89 digs (2.78 per set).
Head coach Trent Jones is in his sixth season with the Hawks. He has a 99-47 record entering this weekend, seeking his 100th win. He has led Rockhurst to the NCAA Tournament for four straight seasons.
