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2007-08 WSC Volleyball Press Releases
#21 WAYNE STATE OPENS SEASON WITH 3-0
WIN AT SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY
August 23-----The 21st-ranked
Wayne State College volleyball team opened the 2007 season
Thursday evening with a 3-0 win at Shepherd University in
West Virginia as the Wildcats posted a 30-9, 30-17 and 30-16
win against the host Rams. Senior All-American middle hitter
Emily Schroeder accounted for 13 kills to lead the Wildcats
in hitting. Freshman setter Jenna Jansen (Sioux City Heelan)
made an impressive debut for WSC by recording 40 set assists
while senior libero Laura Dolezal led the 'Cats on defense
with 21 digs.
Wayne State will play two matches on Friday at the Shepherd
University Tournament, facing St. Edwards of Texas at 9:00
a.m. and Slippery Rock (Pa.) at 1:00 p.m.
WSC RANKED 21ST IN PRESEASON
DIVISION II POLL
August 15------The Wayne State
College volleyball team is ranked 21st in the CSTV/AVCA Preseason
Division II Coaches Top 25 poll released late Tuesday afternoon
by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. It marks the
first time that WSC has been ranked in the preseason poll
to start the season since joining NCAA Division II in 1991.
Wayne State finished the 2006 season ranked 20th in NCAA Division
II with a 30-8 record, reaching the NCAA North Central Regional
Tournament for the second straight season.
WSC was one of three teams for the Northern Sun Intercollegiate
Conference ranked in the Top 25 preseason poll, joining sixth-ranked
Concordia-St. Paul and 25th-ranked Southwest Minnesota State.
The 2007 Wildcat schedule has five Top 25 teams and two others
that received votes. WSC will play contests against #6 Concordia-St.
Paul, #18 Nebraska-Omaha, #22 Rockhurst, #24 Lock Haven (Pa.)
and #25 Southwest Minnesota State along with games against
Augustana College and Nebraska-Kearney, who received consideration
for the Top 25 to start the season.
Wayne State opens the 2007 season on Thursday, August 23 at
Shepherd University in West Virginia. The ‘Cats then
play in the Shepherd University Tournament August 24-25, including
a contest against #24 Lock Haven.
Listed below is a complete listing of the CSTV/AVCA Preseason
Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll:
Rank School (First-Place Votes) Total Points 2006 Record
2006 Final Rank
1 Tampa (29) 881 35-1 1
2 Minnesota Duluth (3) 861 31-4 2
3 Cal State-San Bernardino (3) 779 27-2 7
4 UC San Diego 739 26-3 5
5 Florida Southern (1) 728 31-5 9
6 Concordia-St. Paul 690 36-3 4
7 Truman 649 36-2 6
8 Ashland 626 23-10 10
9 North Alabama 591 34-6 3
10 Hillsdale 514 29-2 12
11 Grand Valley State 503 27-4 13
12 Central Missouri 492 29-7 17
13 Chico State 468 21-6 16
14 West Texas A&M 449 34-4 11
15 SIU Edwardsville 409 29-6 14
16 Washburn 369 27-9 23
17 Cal State-L.A. 312 18-9 19
18 Nebraska-Omaha 296 21-7 22
19 BYU-Hawai’i 272 20-1 15
20 Seattle Pacific 261 24-3 18
21 Wayne State (Neb.) 160 30-8 20
22 Rockhurst 145 26-5 NR
23 Western Washington 124 18-7 NR
24 Lock Haven 80 32-6 21
25 Southwest Minnesota State 67 27-9 25
Others Receiving Votes and listed on two or more ballots:
Nebraska-Kearney 58; Dowling 38;
Abilene Christian 29; Pittsburg State 19; Central Washington
17; Findlay 14; Augustana (SD) 7; Lewis 6;
Mesa State 6; Bentley 5.
Next Poll: September 3, 2007
WILDCATS
PICKED THIRD IN NSIC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
August 7-----The Wayne State
College volleyball team has been selected to finish third
in the 2007 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Volleyball
Preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday afternoon by the league
office in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Wildcats received 78 points
and one first place vote in the poll. Defending league champion
Concordia-St. Paul was voted the team to beat again this year
by league coaches, collecting 85 points and seven first-place
votes. Southwest Minnesota State came in second with 81 points
and two first-place votes. Following Wayne State in the NSIC
Preseason Coaches Poll in volleyball were MSU Moorhead (63
points), Winona State (60), Northern State (50), Mary (43),
Upper Iowa (32), Minnesota, Crookston (25) and Bemidji State
(23).
The Wildcats finished the 2006 season ranked 20th in the nation
with a 30-8 record and a semi-final berth in the NCAA North
Central Region Tournament. The Wildcats were second in the
Northern Sun Conference with a 15-3 league mark and return
four starters from last season’s squad.
Senior Emily Schroeder was tabbed as Wayne State’s player
to watch in the NSIC this season. The 5-11 middle blocker
from Belden (Laurel-Concord HS) became Wayne State’s
first-ever All-American in volleyball last season, receiving
Second Team All-American honors from AVCA (American Volleyball
Coaches Association) and Daktronics. Schroeder set a new single
season record for kills at Wayne State with 599 and ranked
fourth in NCAA Division II in blocks per game at 1.54.
Wayne State opens the 2007 volleyball season on Thursday,
August 23 at Shepherd University in West Virginia.
WAYNE STATE
RECOGNIZED WITH GAME PLAN/AVCA TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD
August 3-----The Wayne State
College volleyball team has been honored by the American Volleyball
Coaches Association (AVCA) with the Game Plan/AVCA Team Academic
Award for the 2006-07 season. It’s the third time in
the last five years that WSC has received the award.
Wayne State was one of 29 schools in NCAA Division II recognized
with the award. The Game Plan/AVCA Team Academic Award honors
institutions that have displayed excellence in the classroom
by maintaining at least a 3.3 cumulative grade point average
on a 4.0 scale. The Wayne State College volleyball team had
a cumulative grade point average of 3.452 during the 2006-07
academic school year.
Wayne State College was one of four schools from the Northern
Sun Intercollegiate Conference to receive the award, joining
Concordia-St. Paul, Northern State and Winona State. The Wildcats
finished the 2006 season ranked 20th in the nation with a
30-8 record and a semi-final berth in the NCAA North Central
Region Tournament. The Wildcats were second in the Northern
Sun Conference with a 15-3 league mark.
WAYNE
STATE RANKED 8TH IN NCAA DIVISION II HOME VOLLEYBALL ATTENDANCE
May 3------The Wayne State
College volleyball team ranked 8th in NCAA Division II in
home attendance average last season according to figures released
by the NCAA. In 10 home games during the 2006 season, Wayne
State drew 5,205 fans for an average of 521 fans per home
game. Wayne State set a single game attendance record with
a crowd of 1,382 fans during a home contest against Nebraska-Kearney
on October 18, 2006.
Wayne State led the Northern Sun Conference in volleyball
attendance and was one of three league teams ranked in the
top 15 with Concordia-St. Paul 12th and Northern State 15th.
The NSIC ranked third in total attendance of the 10 NCAA Division
II conferences with 31,158 fans.
Wayne State finished the 2006 season ranked 20th in the nation
with a 30-8 record and a semi-final berth in the NCAA North
Central Region Tournament. The Wildcats were second in the
Northern Sun Conference with a 15-3 league mark.
WAYNE STATE
ADDS TWO STANDOUTS DURING LATE NCAA SIGNING PERIOD
April 11------Wayne State College
head volleyball coach Scott Kneifl announced today the signings
of Erin Dostal (dah-stull) of Howells, Nebraska and Lea (pronounced
lee) Hartigan of Treynor, Iowa on the first day of the NCAA’s
late signing period. The two athletes join Jennifer Hefner
of Central City, Nebraska, Jenna Jansen of Sioux City, Iowa
(Heelan HS) and Megan Statton of Lincoln, Nebraska (Southeast
HS) as members of the Wildcat recruiting class who will join
the Wildcats for the 2007 season.
Erin Dostal, a 5-9 setter/outside hitter from Howells High
School, is a three-sport standout for the Bobcats, starring
in volleyball, basketball and track and field. She was named
honorary captain of the Class C-2 All-State Volleyball Team
as a senior, leading Howells to a 24-2 mark and a berth in
the Class C-2 State Tournament. Dostal averaged 5 kills, 4
assists and 3.6 blocks per game as a senior. Her career record
in volleyball at Howells was 60-12. In basketball, Dostal
earned three letters and was a First Team All-Cornhusker Conference
selection while also earning Academic All-State honors. Dostal
is also a three-year state qualifier in track and field at
Howells High School.
“We are excited to sign a powerful and dynamic athlete
who will be trained as both a setter and an attacker at Wayne
State College,” remarked Coach Kneifl. “Erin’s
versatility and competitiveness will allow her to compete
for playing time right away at multiple positions.”
Lea Hartigan, a 5-10 outside hitter from Treynor (Iowa) High
School, has lettered four years and started at least three
years in four sports (volleyball, basketball, track and field
and softball). Hartigan was named the Iowa Class 2A Volleyball
Player of the Year as a senior. She earned First Team All-State
honors as a junior and senior. During her volleyball career,
Hartigan recorded 1,322 kills in 451 games and helped her
team reach the state tournament all four years in high school.
She also earned All-State honors in basketball as a senior
and holds school records for career blocks with 153. In track,
Hartigan collected All-State honors as a junior and she also
holds the school record in softball for hits in a season with
64.
“Lea is a very explosive outside hitter with a great
arm,” commented Kneifl. “We are very excited to
see what she is capable of doing here at Wayne State College.
Her athleticism and desire to win will be an immediate asset
to our program.”
Wayne State College finished the 2006 season with a 30-8 record
and a #20 ranking in NCAA Division II. The Wildcats advanced
to the semi finals of the NCAA Division II North Central Region
Tournament before falling to host Concordia-St. Paul. Wayne
State College is an NCAA Division II school located in Wayne,
Nebraska and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate
Conference.
SCHROEDER
NAMED SECOND TEAM AVCA ALL-AMERICAN, COLEMAN COLLECTS HONORABLE
MENTION HONORS
November 21------Emily Schroeder
of Wayne State College has been named to the 26th annual AVCA
(American Volleyball Coaches Association) All-American Team
for NCAA Division II women’s volleyball. The 5-11 junior
middle hitter was named Second Team All-American while senior
setter Brittany Coleman earned honorable mention All-American
honors in votes tabulated by Division II volleyball coaches
from around the country.
It’s the second All-American honor for Schroeder this
season as she earned Daktronics Second Team All-American honors
last week in a vote conducted by sports information directors
from across the country.
Schroeder (pronounced shray-dur) set a new single season record
this season with 599 kills, an average of 4.47 kills per game
to rank third in the NSIC and 25th in NCAA Division II. She
led the NSIC in blocking at 1.54 bpg, which ranked 4th in
NCAA Division II. Schroeder also had 407 digs (3.04 dpg) and
had a hitting percentage of .273, which ranked 8th in the
NSIC. During the season, Schroeder was named the NSIC Offensive
Player of the Week twice and was selected the Nebraska NCAA
Division II Player of the Week five times. She was named the
Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week on October
30 and earned Most Valuable Player honors at the Colorado
Mines Volleyball Classic on September 1 and 2.
Other honors this season for Schroeder include NSIC All-Academic
Team, ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District VII Second
Team, Daktronics All-North Central Region First Team, Northern
Sun Conference First Team and AVCA All-North Central Region
First Team.
Coleman, a 5-9 senior setter from Beatrice, Nebraska, set
a new single season record with 1,797 set assists, averaging
13.41 assists per game to rank second in the NSIC and fifth
in NCAA Division II. She also had 387 digs (2.89 dpg), 128
kills (0.96) and 56 blocks (0.42 bpg) for the Wildcats this
season. Coleman was a First Team All-NSIC selection at setter
and was named NSIC Setter of the Week four times along with
Most Valuable Player of the UNK Fall Classic on August 25
and 26. She established a new single game school record with
79 set assists against Rockhurst on August 25 in just her
second game in a Wildcat uniform.
Schroeder and Coleman helped Wayne State to a 30-8 record
this season and a semi-final berth in the NCAA North Central
Region Tournament. The Wildcats were second in the Northern
Sun Conference this season with a 15-3 league mark.
EMILY
SCHROEDER COLLECTS FIRST-EVER VOLLEYBALL ALL-AMERICAN HONOR
FOR WAYNE STATE COLLEGE
November 16-----Emily Schroeder
of Wayne State College has been named to the 2006 Daktronics
Volleyball All-America Team. The 5-11 junior middle hitter
from Belden, Nebraska (Laurel-Concord HS) earned Second Team
All-American honors to become the first-ever WSC volleyball
player to be selected All-American. The 2006 Daktronics Volleyball
All-America teams were selected by a vote from the sports
information directors nationwide.
Schroeder (pronounced shray-dur) set a new single season record
this season with 599 kills, an average of 4.47 kills per game
to rank third in the NSIC and 25th in NCAA Division II. She
led the NSIC in blocking at 1.54 bpg, which ranked 4th in
NCAA Division II. Schroeder also had 407 digs (3.04 dpg) and
had a hitting percentage of .273, which ranked 8th in the
NSIC. During the season, Schroeder was named the NSIC Offensive
Player of the Week twice and was selected the Nebraska NCAA
Division II Player of the Week five times. She was named the
Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week on October
30 and earned Most Valuable Player honors at the Colorado
Mines Volleyball Classic on September 1 and 2.
Other honors this season for Schroeder include NSIC All-Academic
Team, ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District VII Second
Team, Daktronics All-North Central Region First Team, Northern
Sun Conference First Team and AVCA All-North Central Region
First Team.
Schroeder helped Wayne State to a 30-8 record this season
and a semi-final berth in the NCAA North Central Region Tournament.
The Wildcats were second in the Northern Sun Conference this
season with a 15-3 league mark.
THREE WSC
PLAYERS NAMED TO AVCA ALL-NORTH CENTRAL REGION TEAM
November 16----The post-season
honors continue to roll in for the Wayne State College volleyball
team as three Wildcat players were selected to the American
Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All North Central Region
team. Brittany Coleman and Emily Schroeder earned First Team
honors to advance to the All-American ballot while Laura Dolezal
was selected honorable mention.
Coleman, a 5-9 senior setter from Beatrice, Nebraska, set
a new single season record with 1,797 set assists, averaging
13.41 assists per game to rank second in the NSIC and fifth
in NCAA Division II. She also 387 digs (2.89 dpg), 128 kills
(0.96) and 56 blocks (0.42 bpg) for the Wildcats this season.
Coleman was a First Team All-NSIC selection at setter and
was named NSIC Setter of the Week four times along with Most
Valuable Player of the UNK Fall Classic on August 25 and 26.
She established a new single game school record with 79 set
assists against Rockhurst on August 25, her second game in
a Wildcat uniform.
Schroeder, a 5-11 junior middle hitter from Belden, Nebraska
(Laurel-Concord) set a new single season record this season
with 599 kills, an average of 4.47 kills per game to rank
third in the NSIC and 25th in NCAA Division II. She led the
NSIC in blocking at 1.54 bpg, which ranked 4th in NCAA Division
II. Schroeder also had 407 digs (3.04 dpg) and had a hitting
percentage of .273, which ranked 8th in the NSIC. During the
season, Schroeder was named the NSIC Offensive Player of the
Week twice and was selected the Nebraska NCAA Division II
Player of the Week five times. She was named the Sports Imports/AVCA
National Player of the Week on October 30 and earned Most
Valuable Player honors at the Colorado Mines Volleyball Classic
on September 1 and 2.
Other honors this season for Schroeder include NSIC All-Academic
Team, ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District VII Second
Team, Daktronics All-North Central Region First Team, Northern
Sun Conference First Team and AVCA All-North Central Region
First Team.
Dolezal, a 5-8 junior libero from Columbus, Nebraska (Scotus
HS), led Wayne State in digs this season with 779, averaging
5.86 digs per game to rank second in the NSIC and 18th in
NCAA Division II. She was named the NSIC Libero of the Year
for a second straight season while earning First Team All-NSIC
honors and was selected the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week
four times this season. Dolezal, the all-time digs leader
at WSC with 2,137, was named to the NSIC All-Tournament Team
and selected First Team Daktronics All-North Central Region.
Wayne State College finished the 2006 season with a record
of 30-8, advancing to the semi-finals of the NCAA Division
II North Central Region Tournament before being eliminated
by 3rd-ranked Concordia-St. Paul in four games. The Wildcats
placed second in the Northern Sun Conference this season with
a 15-3 league record.
EMILY
SCHROEDER NAMED TO ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT SECOND TEAM
November 14-----Emily Schroeder
of Wayne State College has been named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA
Academic All-District VII Second Team in volleyball. The award
is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors
of America.
Schroeder, a 5-11 junior middle hitter from Belden,
Nebraska, owns a 3.81 grade point average majoring in graphics
design at Wayne State College. The Laurel-Concord graduate
led the NSIC in blocks (1.54 bpg) this season, ranked third
in kills (4.47 kpg), third in points (5.64 ppg) and eighth
in hitting percentage (.276). She was named First Team All-Northern
Sun Conference and First Team All-North Central Region while
leading the Wildcats to a 30-8 record and a second straight
NCAA post-season appearance, advancing to the semifinals of
the North Central Region Tournament.
THIRD-RANKED
CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL DEFEATS #20 WAYNE STATE 3-1 IN SEMIFINALS
OF THE NCAA NORTH CENTRAL REGION TOURNAMENT
November 10-----#3 Concordia-St.
Paul defeated 20th-ranked Wayne State College in four games
Friday evening in the semi-finals of the NCAA North Central
Region Volleyball Tournament played in St. Paul, Minnesota.
After WSC won the first game 30-28, CSP came storming back
to win the next three games 30-24, 30-14 and 30-22 to win
the match 3-1 and advance to their fourth straight regional
final while Wayne State ends the season with a record of 30-8.
Wayne State came out strong in the first game and picked up
a 30-28 win thanks to eight kills by Emily Schroeder and five
more from sophomore Danielle Wessel. Concordia-St. Paul stepped
up their play in the second game, never allowing Wayne State
to hold a lead, and went on to a 30-24 win. The Golden Bears
forced Wayne State into 10 hitting errors in the third game
for a 30-14 win over the Wildcats and Concordia-St. Paul continued
their strong play in the fourth game and earned a 30-22 win
to take the match in four games.
“We came out and did a lot of nice things in the first
game and followed our game plan,” remarked WSC head
coach Scott Kneifl. “But they (Concordia-St. Paul) really
got into their system in the second game and they were outstanding
the rest of the match.”
Junior middle hitter Emily Schroeder led Wayne State in hitting
with 15 kills followed by sophomore Danielle Wessel with 13
kills. Junior libero Laura Dolezal notched a team-high 17
digs with Schroeder adding 10 and senior setter Brittany Coleman
had 43 set assists in her final game in a Wildcat uniform.
The team’s other senior, Michelle Eckhardt, finished
with nine kills and six blocks for the Wildcats.
Concordia-St. Paul out hit Wayne State in the match .258 to
.084 after WSC hit .275 in the first game.
“I thought it was a great year,” stated Kneifl
in his second year as head coach of the Wildcats. “We’ve
come a long ways and we’re not done. I’m very
proud of the kids’ effort.”
Wayne State finishes the season with a 30-8 record while Concordia-St.
Paul, 36-2, will face #5 Minnesota-Duluth in the North Central
Region Final Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m.
#20
WAYNE STATE DOWNS #22 SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE IN FIRST ROUND
OF NCAA NORTH CENTRAL REGION TOURNAMENT
November 9----20th ranked Wayne
State College posted their first-ever win in NCAA post-season
play Thursday evening with a four-game win over #22 Southwest
Minnesota State in the first round of the NCAA Division II
North Central Region Tournament at St. Paul, Minnesota. The
Wildcats outlasted their rival from the Northern Sun Conference
30-27, 19-30, 30-24 and 30-27. It was the fourth time the
two teams met this season with WSC winning three of the four
matches.
WSC trailed early in the first game that featured seven ties,
but the Wildcats were able to snap a 23-23 tie and go on to
the 30-27 win in the first game thanks to a service ace by
Mattie Burnham to close out the first game. Junior Emily Schroeder
had six kills and five blocks in the first game to pace the
Wildcats. The second game saw Southwest Minnesota State record
just two hitting errors while hitting .412 to win 30-19 and
even the match at one game apiece.
The third game saw both teams hold leads until the Wildcats
used a stretch of seven straight points to take control of
the game. With WSC leading 22-21, WSC reeled off seven straight
points to go in front 29-21 and win the third game 30-24.
The fourth game featured more even play between the two clubs,
but WSC rallied from a 19-13 deficit to come back and take
a 30-27 win and capture the match in four games.
“These two teams are very evenly matched and I thought
our kids did a great job of handling adversity in key situations,”
said WSC head coach Scott Kneifl. “Our defense and blocking
were tremendous. We knew what they were going to do and I
thought we made some big plays.”
Junior Emily Schroeder led Wayne State in hitting with 18
kills along with 11 blocks and eight digs. Michelle Eckhardt
added 16 kills with sophomore Brittany Van Beek accounting
for 12 kills. Junior libero Laura Dolezal led the Wildcats
defensively with 31 digs while Meredy Dubbs added 14. Senior
setter Brittany Coleman handed out 52 set assists and finished
with 14 digs. Coleman said in the post-game interview that
the key to the match was balanced hitting by the Wildcats.
“We have so many players I can pass the ball to. It
makes my job much easier knowing in adverse situations we
can go to anyone on our team.”
Kneifl added that after losing in the first round of last
year’s regional, he felt that experience played a role
in Thursday’s win over Southwest Minnesota State. “We
weren’t as tight for tonight’s match as what we
were last year. The kids were a lot more relaxed and I was
more relaxed as well.”
Southwest Minnesota State held a slight .203 to .185 hitting
advantage over Wayne State.
Wayne State, now 30-7 on the season, will advance to the semi-finals
on Friday at 7:30 p.m. against top-seed Concordia-St. Paul.
“Getting 30 wins was a big goal of ours and it’s
a goal we knew was attainable,” added Kneifl. “We
know we have a tough match in the semifinals but I feel our
team is peaking at the right time of the season and we are
playing well.”
WAYNE
STATE ANNOUNCES THREE RECRUITS DURING EARLY SIGNING PERIOD
November 8----Wayne State College
head volleyball coach Scott Kneifl announced today the signings
of three recruits in the NCAA early signing period. They include
Jennifer Hefner of Central City, Nebraska, Jenna Jansen of
Sioux City, Iowa and Megan Statton of Lincoln, Nebraska. The
three players will join the Wildcat program for the 2007 season.
“I’m very excited to add these three outstanding
athletes to our program,” remarked Kneifl. “I
know they will be a great fit for Wayne State College and
our volleyball program. They all have a major desire to continue
to improve and make our volleyball team the best we can become.”
Jennifer Hefner, a 6-1 middle hitter from Central City High
School, is a two-time All-State and All-Conference selection
who is averaging 4.53 kills and 1.13 blocks per game this
season. She led her team to the Class C-1 state volleyball
tournament as a junior. Hefner also excels in basketball and
track and field, earning All-Conference honors in basketball
last season and qualifying for the state track meet in the
110 high hurdles and the 4 x 400 meter relay.
“Jennifer is a player who has the ability and frame
to become a great player at WSC,” said Kneifl. “She
has an amazing block and is dominant at the net. She is a
very coachable player who will be a great asset for our team
in the middle next season.”
Jenna Jansen, a 5-9 setter from Sioux City Heelan High School,
earned Iowa Class 3A All-State honors as a setter as a sophomore
and was a second-team All-State selection last season as a
junior while helping Sioux City Heelan reach the semi-finals
of the Class 3A Tournament both seasons. As a junior, Jansen
averaged 8.2 set assists per game and is a two-time All-Conference
selection. She also excelled in track and field, winning the
high jump at the city track meet while helping Heelan win
the team championship.
“We are very excited about the addition of Jenna to
our program,” stated Kneifl. “She is a very talented
setter who has set at a very high level for both Nebraska
Elite and Sioux City Heelan. Jenna has amazing instincts and
understands how to win. I expect her to compete for a starting
job next season.”
Megan Statton, a 6-1 middle blocker/outside hitter from Lincoln
Southeast High School, is a three-year starter and a four-year
letter winner at Lincoln Southeast, earning All-City and honorable
mention All-State honors as a junior. She helped her team
to back-to-back state tournament appearances as a sophomore
and junior. Statton also excels in the classroom, earning
Academic All-State honors in both volleyball and basketball.
“Megan is a very versatile player who will train and
compete for a job in multiple positions next season,”
commented Kneifl. “Her height and knowledge of the game
will help her compete for playing time right away.”
Wayne State College is 29-7 on the season and ranked 20th
in NCAA Division II. The Wildcats have advanced to the NCAA
Division II North Central Region Tournament for the second
straight season and will face Southwest Minnesota State in
Thursday’s first round at 5:00 p.m. in St. Paul, Minnesota.
WILDCATS
RANKED 20TH IN LATEST CSTV/AVCA DIVISION II TOP 25
November 6------The Wayne State
College volleyball team moved up one spot to 20th in the latest
CSTV/AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches poll released late Monday
afternoon. The Wildcats went 3-1 last week, advancing to the
championship match of the NSIC Tournament before falling to
now 3rd-ranked Concordia-St. Paul. WSC defeated South Dakota,
Minnesota-Crookston and then 23rd ranked Southwest Minnesota
State. The Wildcats will play Thursday at 5:00 p.m. in the
first round of the NCAA Division II North Central Region Tournament
against #22 Southwest Minnesota State at the Gangelhoff Center
in St. Paul, Minnesota.
CSTV/AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll
2006 POLL # 10: November 6, 2006
Rank School (First-Place Votes) Total Points 2006 Record Last
Week
1 Truman (33) 895 35-1 1
2 Tampa (3) 864 29-1 2
3 Concordia-St. Paul 823 34-2 4
4 Cal State-San Bernardino 773 25-1 6
5 Minnesota Duluth 734 27-3 7
6 Hillsdale 713 28-1 3
7 Grand Valley State 669 26-3 5
8 BYU-Hawai’i 639 20-0 9
9 Florida Southern 628 30-4 8
10 Florida Gulf Coast 596 27-2 10
11 UC San Diego 559 23-2 11
12 Seattle Pacific 498 24-2 12
13 North Alabama 457 30-5 T-13
14 SIU-Edwardsville 396 27-5 T-13
15 Chico State 353 20-5 16
16 Nebraska-Omaha 342 21-6 17
17 Central Missouri 332 27-6 15
18 West Texas A&M 314 30-3 18
19 Washburn 273 27-7 20
20 Wayne State (Neb.) 213 29-7 21
21 Rockhurst 183 26-5 19
22 Southwest Minnesota State 127 27-8 23
23 Cal State-L.A. 107 17-8 24
24 Ashland 70 20-9 NR
25 Central Washington 41 19-7 22
Others Receiving Votes and listed on two or more ballots:
Nebraska-Kearney 27; Lock Haven 23;
Lewis 21; Dowling 8; Western Washington 8; Metro State 4;
Ferris State 3.
Three schools were listed on only one ballot for a total of
7 points.
Dropped out: Nebraska-Kearney (25)
Next Poll: November 13, 2006
DOLEZAL,
SCHROEDER NAMED TO DAKTRONICS ALL NORTH CENTRAL REGION TEAM
November 6-----Laura Dolezal
and Emily Schroeder of Wayne State College have been named
to the 2006 Daktronics, Inc. All-North Central Region Volleyball
Team released today as voted on by sports information directors
in the North Central Region. Both players garnered First Team
All-Region honors and will now be considered for All-American
honors.
Dolezal, a 5-8 junior libero from Columbus, Nebraska (Scotus
HS), was a Second Team All-Region selection last year as a
sophomore. She ranks second in the NSIC in digs per game (5.83)
and is 16th in NCAA Division II in digs per game. Earlier
this season, Dolezal became the all-time digs leader at Wayne
State and has been named the NSIC Defensive Player of the
Week four times this season and was recently named the NSIC
Libero of the Year for the second straight season.
Schroeder, a 5-11 junior middle hitter from Belden, Nebraska
(Laurel-Concord HS), leads Wayne State in kills (4.49 kpg)
and blocks (1.51 bpg) to rank first in the NSIC in blocks
and third in kills per game. She is also listed near the top
nationally, ranking seventh in blocks and 24th in kills in
NCAA Division II. Schroeder has earned the NSIC Offensive
Player of the Week award twice this season and has been selected
the Nebraska NCAA Division II Volleyball Player of the Week
five times this season. She was named last week to the All-Northern
Sun Conference First Team.
Wayne State, 29-7 on the season, will play in the NCAA Division
II North Central Region Volleyball Tournament in St. Paul,
Minnesota November 9-11. The fourth-seeded Wildcats will face
#5 seed Southwest Minnesota State in a first round match on
Thursday, November 9 at 5:00 p.m. at the Gangelhoff Center
at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota.
WILDCATS
EARN #4 SEED FOR NORTH CENTRAL REGION TOURNAMENT----FACES
SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE IN FIRST ROUND
November 5-----The Wayne State
College volleyball team has earned the fourth seed for the
NCAA Division II North Central Region Volleyball Tournament
that will be played at Concordia University-St. Paul Thursday-Saturday,
November 9-11 at the Gangelhoff Center. Pairings for the NCAA
Division II regional volleyball tournaments were announced
late Sunday evening by the NCAA office in Indianapolis, Indiana.
It’s the second straight season that Wildcats have qualified
for NCAA post-season play. Last season, Wayne State fell in
the first round of the NCAA North Central Region Tournament
to Nebraska-Omaha 3-0.
The 29-7 Wildcats will face a familiar foe in the first round
on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. in Northern Sun Conference rival
Southwest Minnesota State. The two teams have faced each other
three times already this season with the Wildcats winning
two out of the three matches. SMSU defeated WSC in Marshall
on September 26 3-1, Wayne State topped the Mustangs in Wayne
on October 24 3-1 and the Wildcats needed five games to beat
SMSU last Friday in the semi-finals of the Northern Sun Conference
Tournament in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Wayne State is one of four teams from the Northern Sun Conference
playing in the regional tournament, joining top-seed Concordia-St.
Paul, #5 seed Southwest Minnesota State and #8 seed Northern
State. First round pairings on Thursday find #3 seed Nebraska
Omaha (21-6) facing #6 seed Augustana (14-13) at noon, followed
by #2 seed Minnesota-Duluth battling #7 seed Minnesota State
(17-12) at 2:30 p.m. The 5:00 p.m. match finds #4 seed Wayne
State (29-7) taking on #5 seed Southwest Minnesota State (27-8)
with #1 seed Concordia-St. Paul (34-2) facing #8 seed Northern
State (16-14) to close out first round play on Thursday. The
semi-finals are slated for Friday, November 10 at 5:00 and
7:30 p.m. with the championship match set for Saturday, November
11 at 7:00 p.m.
Ticket prices for the regional matches are $8.00 for adults
and seniors, $6.00 for students and children under five are
free.
2006 NCAA Division II North Central Region Volleyball
Tournament
Hosted by Concordia University-St. Paul
Gangelhoff Center, St. Paul, Minnesota November 9-11
Quarter-finals Thursday, November 9
12:00 p.m. - #3 seed Nebraska-Omaha (21-6) vs. #6 seed Augustana
(14-13)
2:30 p.m. - #2 seed Minnesota-Duluth (27-3) vs. #7 seed Minnesota
State (17-12)
5:00 p.m. - #4 seed Wayne State (29-7) vs.
#5 seed Southwest Minnesota State (27-8)
7:30 p.m. - #1 seed Concordia-St. Paul (34-2) vs. #8 seed
Northern State (16-14)
Semi-Finals Friday, November 10
5:00 p.m. – Winner Quarterfinal 1 vs. Winner Quarterfinal
2
7:30 p.m. – Winner Quarterfinal 3 vs. Winner Quarterfinal
4
Finals Saturday, November 11
7:00 p.m. – Winner Semifinal 1 vs. Winner Semifinal
2
#4 CONCORDIA-ST.
PAUL RALLIES FOR WIN OVER #21 WAYNE STATE IN NSIC FINALS----COLEMAN
SETS SINGLE SEASON ASSIST MARK
November 4-----#21 Wayne State
College fell to #4 Concordia-St. Paul Saturday evening in
four games in the championship match of the Northern Sun Conference
Volleyball Tournament played in St. Paul, Minnesota. After
the Wildcats won the first game 30-28, the Golden Bears stormed
back to win the next three games 30-17, 30-16 and 30-23 to
win the match. CSP moves to 34-2 on the year and a likely
host for next week’s North Central Regional Tournament
while Wayne State is 29-7 and awaits seeding for the regional
tournament as a likely qualifier.
WSC got off to a strong start, hitting .364 in the first game
with just three errors to win 30-28. CSP responded by hitting
.472 in the second game with just three errors to win 30-17.
The third game saw the Wildcats struggle at the net, hitting
.-.025 with 10 errors as the Golden Bears won 30-16. The fourth
game was much tighter, but with the score tied at 21-21 Concordia-St.
Paul pulled away down the stretch to win 30-23 and take the
match in four games.
Junior Emily Schroeder led Wayne State with 22 kills and six
blocks while hitting .264 for the match. Michelle Eckhardt
also reached double figures in kills with 11. Junior libero
Laura Dolezal paced the Wildcats on defense with 20 while
setter Brittany Coleman added 51 set assists to become the
new single season record holder for set assists at Wayne State.
With 1,702 on the season, Coleman passed Kasey Meyers’
school record of 1,662 set in the 2002 season.
The seedings for the North Central Regional Volleyball Tournament,
November 9-11, will be announced by NCAA Sunday evening.
WILDCATS
SURVIVE FIVE-GAME THRILLER TO TOP SMSU AND ADVANCE TO NSIC
TOURNAMENT FINALS
November 3-----#21 Wayne State
College jumped out to a 2-0 lead, then had to hang on for
a 3-2 win over #23 Southwest Minnesota State in the Northern
Sun Conference Volleyball Tournament Semi-Finals played Friday
evening in St. Paul, Minnesota. WSC won the first two games
of the match 30-22 and 30-25 with the Mustangs winning the
next two games 30-26 and 30-14. After SMSU held a 2-0 lead
early in the fifth game, WSC rallied to score five straight
points and never relinquished the lead to pick up a 15-10
win in the fifth game.
After Wayne State won the first two games, Southwest Minnesota
State hit an astonishing .525 in the third game with 23 kills
and just two errors in 40 attacks. The Mustangs took advantage
of poor hitting by WSC in the fourth game as the Wildcats
hit -.175 with 11 hitting errors. But the Wildcats used hot
serving from sophomores Danielle Wessel (five straight points
with two service aces) and Amanda Johnson with three straight
points to give the Wildcats much needed momentum in the fifth
game to rally for the win.
"We played extremely well in the first two games, but
they (Southwest Minnesota State) really came out fired up
and took it to us in the third and fourth games," remarked
WSC head coach Scott Kneifl. "I thought our team showed
tremendous character to come back after struggling so much
in the fourth game and get the win in the fifth game. Michelle
Eckhardt had another great night for us and is having a tremendous
tournament and I thought our defense really stepped up and
won us the match."
Wayne State was led in hitting by senior Michelle Eckhardt
with 21 kills, followed by junior Emily Schroeder with 18
kills, 11 digs and seven blocks. Junior libero Laura Dolezal
topped Wayne State on defense with 28 digs with Meredy Dubbs
adding 14. Senior setter Brittany Coleman contributed 49 set
assists and 15 digs in the Wildcat victory.
For Southwest Minnesota State, junior Erin Contons had 30
kills and 31 digs while Leah Ashburn accounted for 12 kills
for the Mustangs.
SMSU, now 27-8 on the season, outhit the Wildcats .204 to
.140 in the match.
The second-seeded Wildcats, 29-6 overall, will face either
Concordia-St. Paul or Northern State in Saturday’s championship
match at 7:00 p.m.
#21 WAYNE
STATE CRUISES PAST MINN.-CROOKSTON IN FIRST ROUND OF NSIC
TOURNAMENT
November 2-----#21 Wayne State
College cruised past Minnesota-Crookston Thursday afternoon
in the first round of the Northern Sun Conference Volleyball
Tournament in St. Paul, Minnesota as the Wildcats swept the
Golden Eagles 30-21, 30-25 and 30-16. WSC will advance to
Friday’s semi-finals with a 28-6 mark while UMC finishes
the season 8-27.
Senior middle hitter Michelle Eckhardt had a match-high 18
kills to lead Wayne State as the Wildcats hit .296 in the
match. Junior Emily Schroeder added 12 kills along with nine
digs and four blocks. Senior setter Brittany Coleman was credited
with 43 set assists while Meredy Dubbs topped the Wildcats
defensively with 11 digs.
For Minnesota-Crookston, Heather Foreman had 10 kills and
Cassie Yates handed out 32 set assists.
Wayne State will now face 23rd-ranked Southwest Minnesota
State in Friday’s semi-finals at 5:00 p.m. The Mustangs
swept Winona State 3-0 in the opening match of the tournament
earlier Thursday afternoon.
FOUR WSC PLAYERS
NAMED TO NSIC ALL-CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL TEAM - DOLEZAL SELECTED
NSIC LIBERO OF THE YEAR
November 1-----Four players
from Wayne State College were selected to the 2006 Northern
Sun Conference All-Conference Volleyball Team released today
by the league office and voted on by the league’s coaches.
Named to the NSIC All-Conference First Team were seniors Brittany
Coleman and Michelle Eckhardt along with juniors Laura Dolezal
and Emily Schroeder. Dolezal was also selected the NSIC Libero
of the Year for the second straight season.
Coleman, a 5-9 senior setter from Beatrice, Neb., averaged
13.81 set assists in 18 NSIC matches this season along with
2.77 digs per game. She ranked second in the NSIC in set assists
per game. Overall, Coleman is averaging 13.68 set assists
per game to rank fifth in NCAA Division lI. She set a new
school record with 79 set assists vs. Rockhurst on August
25th and is just 104 assists away from establishing a new
school record for assists in a season, currently held by Kasey
Meyer with 1,662 assists in 2002. She was named the NSIC Setter
of the Week four times this season.
Eckhardt, a 5-10 senior middle hitter from Ayr, Neb. (Blue
Hill HS), averaged 3.85 kills and 0.87 blocks per game while
hitting .286 in conference play. For the season, Eckhardt
ranks second on the team in kills (4.11) and blocks (0.99).
She was listed fifth in the NSIC in kills per game and seventh
in hitting percentage (.305).
Dolezal, a 5-8 junior libero from Columbus, Neb. (Scotus HS),
averaged 5.57 digs per game in NSIC play and 5.96 digs per
game overall this season. She leads the NSIC in digs per game
and is ranked 16th in NCAA Division II and was named the NSIC
Defensive Player of the Week four times this season.
Schroeder, a 5-11 junior middle hitter from Belden, Neb. (Laurel-Concord
HS), averaged 4.63 kills, 2.87 digs and 1.50 blocks per game
in conference play this season. Overall, Schroeder is averaging
4.51 kills, 3.18 digs and 1.52 blocks per game to lead the
NSIC in blocks and rank third in kills this season. She ranks
seventh in NCAA Division II in blocks per game and 24th in
kills per game. She was named the Sports Imports/AVCA National
Player of the Week on October 30 and has earned NSIC Offensive
Player of the Week honors twice and Nebraska NCAA Division
II Volleyball Player of the Week honors five times this season.
Wayne State placed second in the Northern Sun Conference this
season with a 15-3 league record. The Wildcats, 27-6 overall
and ranked 21st in NCAA Division II, will enter this weekend’s
NSIC Tournament in St. Paul, Minnesota as the #2 seed and
will face seventh-seed Minnesota-Crookston Thursday at 2:30
p.m. in the first round of the NSIC Tournament.
#21 WAYNE STATE
NOTCHES THREE GAME SWEEP AT SOUTH DAKOTA
October 31----Senior middle
hitter Michelle Eckhardt led a balanced hitting attack for
Wayne State with 17 kills to lead the 21st ranked Wildcats
to a 30-22, 30-27 and 30-23 non-conference college volleyball
win at South Dakota Tuesday evening. The Wildcats improve
to 27-6 on the season while South Dakota is now 5-22.
Wayne State controlled the first game and never trailed, but
had to rally from a seven-point deficit to top the Coyotes
in the second game 30-27. WSC then scored the first six points
of the third game on their way to a 30-23 win in the third
game to finish the sweep.
The Wildcats hit .236 for the match compared to South Dakota’s
.137 hitting percentage. Following Eckhardt’s 17 kills
were Emily Schroeder with 13 kills and Brittany Van Beek with
10. Junior libero Laura Dolezal recorded a team-high 14 digs
with Meredy Dubbs accounting for 13 and Emily Schroeder finishing
with 12 digs along with four blocks. Senior setter Brittany
Coleman finished with 46 set assists.
For South Dakota, Ashley Gross had 12 kills with Jamie Vander
Kooi adding 11. Amber Kobus had 23 digs and Gina Baldwin was
credited with 19 set assists.
Wayne State will be the #2 seed for the Northern Sun Conference
Tournament in St. Paul, Minnesota Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The Wildcats face #7 seed Minnesota-Crookston in the first
round on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Other first round matches include
#3 Southwest Minnesota State vs. #6 Winona State at noon;
#4 MSU Moorhead vs. #5 seed Northern State at 5:00 p.m. and
top-seed Concordia-St. Paul battling #8 Bemidji State at 7:30
p.m.
WATCH WAYNE
STATE VOLLEYBALL AT THE NSIC TOURNAMENT
October 31-----Wildcat volleyball
fans will be able to watch Wayne State matches from the 2006
Northern Sun Conference Volleyball Tournament in St. Paul,
Minnesota. All matches, except the NSIC Tournament Championship,
will be available on the internet thanks to Concordia University-St.
Paul. To see the game, click onto: http://www.csp.edu/ctp/live_streaming.html
and view Wildcat matches. The NSIC Championship match will
not be carried on the web, but will be tape delayed for viewing
on Fox Sports North.
EMILY
SCHROEDER NAMED NATIONAL DIVISION II VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF
THE WEEK
October 30-----Emily Schroeder
of Wayne State College was named Monday evening the Sports
Imports/AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) National
Player of the Week in NCAA Division II volleyball.
Schroeder, a 5-11 junior middle hitter from Belden, Neb. (Laurel-Concord
HS), had two outstanding matches for the Wildcats last week
in a pair of Northern Sun Conference wins. She recorded 29
kills with 11 digs and six blocks in a 3-1 win over then-20th
ranked Southwest Minnesota State in Wayne last Tuesday evening.
Schroeder then accounted for 20 kills, 10 digs and three blocks
in a 3-1 road win at Winona State Friday evening. For the
week, Schroeder hit .333 while averaging 6.12 kills, 2.62
digs and 1.12 blocks per game. Schroeder is ranked fifth in
NCAA Division II in blocks per game and also ranks in the
top 30 nationally in kills per game and is the first player
from Wayne State College to earn the Sports Imports/AVCA National
Player of the Week honor.
Wayne State, 26-6 and ranked 21st in NCAA Division II, will
visit the University of South Dakota Tuesday evening at 7:00
p.m. and will then travel to St. Paul, Minnesota for the NSIC
Tournament on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
WILDCATS
MOVE UP TO 21ST IN LATEST CSTV/AVCA DIVISION II POLL
October 30-----The Wayne State
College volleyball team moved up three spots to 21st in the
latest CSTV/AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches poll released
late Monday afternoon. The Wildcats went 2-0 last week, winning
a pair of Northern Sun Conference matches against then-20th
ranked Southwest Minnesota State 3-1 in Wayne last Tuesday
and recording a 3-1 road win at Winona State on Friday evening.
WSC will take a 26-6 record to the University of South Dakota
Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m., then travel to St. Paul, Minnesota
for the NSIC Tournament on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
CSTV/AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll
2006 POLL # 9: October 30, 2006
Rank School (First-Place Votes) Total Points 2006 Record Last
Week
1 Truman (28) 885 32-1 1
2 Tampa (3) 856 27-1 2
3 Hillsdale (5) 829 27-0 3
4 Concordia-St. Paul 777 31-2 6
5 Grand Valley State 750 24-2 5
6 Cal State-San Bernardino 703 23-1 7
7 Minnesota Duluth 698 25-3 4
8 Florida Southern 648 28-3 8
9 BYU-Hawai’i 618 19-0 9
10 Florida Gulf Coast 578 26-2 10
11 UC San Diego 559 21-2 11
12 Seattle Pacific 483 23-2 13
T-13 North Alabama 439 27-5 16
T-13 SIU-Edwardsville 439 25-4 14
15 Central Missouri 405 26-5 12
16 Chico State 289 18-5 15
17 Nebraska-Omaha 284 19-6 19
18 West Texas A&M 264 28-3 21
19 Rockhurst 230 25-4 17
20 Washburn 217 25-7 18
21 Wayne State (Neb.) 192 26-6 24
22 Central Washington 172 19-5 22
23 Southwest Minnesota State 129 26-7 20
24 Cal State-L.A. 122 16-7 23
25 Nebraska-Kearney 43 26-6 NR
Others Receiving Votes and listed on two or more ballots:
Western Washington 33; Findlay 23; Lock
Haven 17; Ferris State 8; California (Pa.) 5.
Three schools were listed on only one ballot for a total of
5 points.
Dropped out: Findlay (25)
Next Poll: November 6, 2006
WAYNE STATE
SWEEPS NORTHERN SUN CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
HONORS
October 30-----Wayne State
College swept all three Northern Sun Conference Player of
the Week honors in volleyball as announced by the league office
Monday afternoon. Emily Schroeder was named the Offensive
Player of the Week, Laura Dolezal collected Defensive Player
of the Week honors and setter Brittany Coleman was tabbed
the Setter of the Week.
Schroeder, a 5-11 junior middle hitter from Laurel-Concord
HS, averaged 6.12 kills, 2.62 digs and 1.12 blocks in a pair
of WSC wins last week. She had 29 kills, 11 digs and six blocks
in a 3-1 win over #20 Southwest Minnesota State last Tuesday
evening and added 20 kills and 10 digs with three blocks in
a 3-1 road win at Winona State last Friday evening. Schroeder,
who is ranked fifth in NCAA Division II in blocks, hit .333
in the two wins to earn NSIC Player of the Week honors for
the second time this season.
Dolezal, a 5-8 junior libero from Columbus, Neb. (Scotus HS),
averaged 6.25 digs per game in two Wildcat wins last week.
She had 25 digs in each match and added five set assists and
two service aces in a 3-1 home win over #20 Southwest Minnesota
State and a 3-1 road win at Winona State. For the season,
Dolezal is averaging 5.99 digs per game to rank 13th in NCAA
Division II and it is the fourth time she has been named Defensive
Player of the Week in the NSIC this season.
Coleman, a 5-9 senior setter from Beatrice, Neb., earned NSIC
Setter of the Week honors for the fourth time this season
after averaging 15.00 assists and 3.88 digs per game in Wayne
State’s two NSIC wins last week. She recorded 59 set
assists with 21 digs in a 3-1 win over #20 Southwest Minnesota
State and had 61 set assists with 10 digs in a 3-1 win at
Winona State. Coleman ranks fifth in NCAA Division II in assists
per game.
Wayne State will take a 26-6 record to the University of South
Dakota Tuesday evening, then travels to St. Paul, Minnesota
for the NSIC Tournament on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
ECKHARDT'S
25 KILLS POWERS WSC PAST WINONA STATE IN FOUR GAMES
October 27-----Senior middle
hitter Michelle Eckhardt recorded a match-high 25 kills to
power #24 Wayne State in a 3-1 Northern Sun Conference volleyball
win at Winona State Friday evening. The Wildcats won by scores
of 30-27, 30-22, 25-30 and 30-19. WSC improved to 26-6 overall
and 15-3 in the NSIC while Winona State slipped to 17-14 overall
and 8-9 in the NSIC.
WSC held a .235 to .211 advantage in hitting over the host
Warriors. Junior middle hitter Emily Schroeder added 20 kills
and 10 digs in the win for WSC while Brittany Van Beek contributed
16 kills for the Wildcats. Junior libero Laura Dolezal paced
the Wildcats on defense with 25 digs and senior setter Brittany
Coleman accounted for 61 set assists.
Wayne State will finish the regular season schedule with a
non-conference contest at South Dakota Tuesday evening at
7:00 p.m.
WILDCATS
UP ONE SPOT TO FIFTH IN LATEST REGIONAL RANKINGS
October 25-----The Wayne State
College volleyball team moved up one spot to fifth in the
latest NCAA Division II North Central Regional rankings released
late Wednesday afternoon by the NCAA. The Wildcats’
record is 24-6 overall and 14-4 within the region. The regional
rankings do not reflect Wayne State’s 3-1 win over Southwest
Minnesota State Tuesday evening. Minnesota-Duluth remains
the top team in the region followed by Concordia-St. Paul
and Nebraska-Omaha. Southwest Minnesota State and Wayne State
each moved up one spot to fourth and fifth respectively with
Augustana moving up to sixth. Minnesota State slipped three
spots to seventh with Northern State entering the regional
rankings in eighth place. North Dakota and MSU Moorhead round
out the top 10 teams in the regional ranking.
The top eight teams at the end of the regular season will
advance to the NCAA North Central Regional Tournament scheduled
for Nov. 9-11.
Wayne State, now 25-6 on the season, will travel to Winona
State Friday evening for a 7:00 p.m. match.
The following is a complete listing of the top 10 teams listed
in the North Central Region rankings released by the NCAA
Wednesday afternoon.
North Central Region Volleyball Rankings
(Records through Sunday Oct. 22)
Team Overall Regional
1. Minnesota-Duluth 24-2 12-0
2. Concordia-St. Paul 28-2 20-1
3. Nebraska-Omaha 17-6 6-4
4. Southwest Minnesota St. 25-6 16-5
5. Wayne State College 24-6 14-4
6. Augustana (SD) 13-11 9-5
7. Minnesota State-Mankato 15-11 9-8
8. Northern State 15-11 11-9
9. North Dakota 13-9 10-7
10. MSU Moorhead 14-10 8-9
SCHROEDER'S 29
KILLS POWER #24 WAYNE STATE PAST #20 SMSU IN FOUR GAMES
October 24-----Emily Schroeder’s
29 kills lifted 24th-ranked Wayne State College to a 3-1 win
over #20 Southwest Minnesota State Tuesday evening in Northern
Sun Conference volleyball played at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.
The Wildcats move into sole possession of second place in
the NSIC with the win at 14-3 in league play and 25-6 overall
while dropping the Mustangs to 25-7 overall and 13-4 in the
NSIC.
WSC a pair of tightly contested games, 30-27 and 30-25, but
SMSU hit .357 in the third game with just three errors to
grab a 30-26 win over the Wildcats. The Mustangs controlled
the first part of the fourth game and held a 22-15 lead over
WSC before the Wildcats rallied for the 30-28 win to take
the match in four games.
Besides Schroeder’s 29 kills, Brittany Van Beek added
13 kills followed by Michelle Eckhardt with 12. Senior setter
Brittany Coleman handed out 59 set assists to go with 21 digs
while junior libero Laura Dolezal led the Wildcats on defense
with 25 digs.
For SMSU, Erin Contons had 24 kills and 23 digs. Kasey Loeslie
added 12 kills while Monica Ashburn was credited with 54 set
assists for the Mustangs. SMSU held a slight .175-.174 hitting
advantage over WSC in the match.
Wayne State will play their final Northern Sun Conference
match of the season Friday night at Winona State starting
at 7:00 p.m.
SCHROEDER
EARNS THIRD STRAIGHT NEBRASKA DIVISION II PLAYER OF THE WEEK
HONOR
October 23-----Emily Schroeder
of Wayne State College was named Monday afternoon the Nebraska
NCAA Division II Volleyball Player of the Week. It’s
the third straight week and fourth time this season that Schroeder
has received the honor.
The 5-11 junior middle hitter from Belden, Neb. (Laurel-Concord
HS) averaged 4.27 kills, 3.45 digs and 1.36 blocks per game
last week as the 24th-ranked Wildcats won two out of three
matches. Schroeder had 13 kills and 18 digs in a 3-0 win over
UNK last Wednesday, then posted a triple-double in a 3-2 loss
at #7 Concordia-St. Paul Friday evening with 16 kills, 12
digs and 10 blocks. Schroeder then added 18 kills in an easy
3-0 win at Upper Iowa Saturday.
The 24th-ranked Wildcats, 24-6 on the season, will host #20
Southwest Minnesota State Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in
the final home match of the season for Wayne State. WSC and
SMSU are tied for second in the NSIC with 13-3 league marks
entering the match.
WAYNE STATE
REMAINS 24TH IN LATEST DIVISION II RANKINGS
October 23------The Wayne State
College volleyball team remains 24th in the latest CSTV/AVCA
Division II Top 25 Coaches poll released late Monday afternoon.
The Wildcats went 2-1 last week and will play two NSIC matches
to close out the regular season this week. Wayne State (24-6)
will host #20 Southwest Minnesota State (25-6) Tuesday evening
at 7:00 p.m. with second place on the line in the conference
standings. Both teams are 13-3 in league play this season.
The Wildcats then travel to Winona State for a Friday evening
match at 7:00 p.m.
CSTV/AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll
2006 POLL # 8: October 23, 2006
Rank School (First-Place Votes) Total Points 2006 Record Last
Week
1 Truman (30) 887 29-1 1
2 Tampa (1) 851 24-1 2
3 Hillsdale (4) 830 25-0 4
4 Minnesota Duluth 772 24-2 5
5 Grand Valley State 745 23-2 6
6 Concordia-St. Paul 713 28-2 7
7 Cal State-San Bernardino (1) 695 21-1 3
8 Florida Southern 643 26-3 8
9 BYU-Hawai’i 622 17-0 9
10 Florida Gulf Coast 564 24-2 10
11 UC San Diego 554 19-2 12
12 Central Missouri 539 25-3 11
13 Seattle Pacific 451 21-2 14
14 SIU-Edwardsville 412 24-4 17
15 Chico State 348 17-4 13
16 North Alabama 334 25-5 18
17 Rockhurst 321 23-3 16
18 Washburn 292 24-6 15
19 Nebraska-Omaha 237 17-6 20
20 Southwest Minnesota State 203 25-6 21
21 West Texas A&M 175 26-3 23
22 Central Washington 155 17-5 22
23 Cal State-L.A. 128 15-6 19
24 Wayne State (Neb.) 99 24-6 24
25 Findlay 70 20-6 25
Others Receiving Votes and listed on two or more ballots:
Western Washington 18; California (Pa.) 17; Nebraska-Kearney
11; Ferris State 3; Lock Haven 2.
Four schools were listed on only one ballot for a total of
9 points.
WILDCATS
CRUISE TO SWEEP AT UPPER IOWA
October 21-----The 24th-ranked
Wayne State College volleyball team cruised to a sweep at
Upper Iowa in Northern Sun Conference volleyball Saturday
evening as the Wildcats posted a 30-19, 30-28 and 30-28 win
over the Peacocks in Fayette, Iowa. WSC is now 24-6 overall
and 13-3 in the league while Upper Iowa falls to 5-23 and
1-15 in the NSIC.
Junior middle hitter Emily Schroeder led WSC in hitting with
18 kills, followed by Michelle Eckhardt with 14 and Mattie
Burnham with 10. As a team, the Wildcats hit .285 in the win.
Brittany Coleman accounted for 43 set assists while junior
libero Laura Dolezal finished with a team high 13 digs.
Wayne State will host Southwest Minnesota State Tuesday evening
at 7:00 p.m. in a key Northern Sun Conference match between
two top 25 teams. The #24 Wildcats and #21 Mustangs are tied
for second place in the NSIC with 13-3 league marks. It will
also mark the final home game of the season for Wayne State.
#7 CONCORDIA-ST.
PAUL OUTLASTS #24 WAYNE STATE IN FIVE SET MARATHON---SCHROEDER
RECORDS TRIPLE-DOUBLE
October 20-----The 24th-ranked
Wayne State College volleyball team battled with 7th-ranked
Concordia-St. Paul before falling in five games Friday evening
in St. Paul, Minnesota as the Golden Bears recorded a hard-fought
30-27, 25-30, 30-23, 27-30 and 15-12 Northern Sun Conference
win over the Wildcats. CSP extends its’ NSIC win streak
to 48 straight matches, moving to 27-2 overall and 15-0 in
the NSIC while Wayne State drops to 23-6 overall and 12-3
in league play.
WSC held a slight hitting advantage over the Golden Bears
in the match .247-243. Junior middle hitter Emily Schroeder
recorded a rare triple-double for the Wildcats with 16 kills,
12 digs and 10 blocks. Sophomore Brittany Van Beek topped
Wayne State in kills with 21, followed by Michelle Eckhardt
with 16 and Danielle Wessel with 12 kills. Junior libero Laura
Dolezal led the Wildcats on defense with 25 digs while Brittany
Coleman added 14 digs and handed out 63 set assists.
For Concordia-St. Paul, Jessica Lucia had 30 kills and 15
digs while Kelsey Kyro accounted for 22 kills. Golden Bears
setter Maggie McNamara had 75 set assists and 13 digs.
Wayne State visits Upper Iowa Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.
to close out their NSIC road trip.
#24 WAYNE STATE
SWEEPS UNK----SNAPS 19-MATCH LOSING STREAK TO LOPERS----WSC
ALSO SETS NEW SINGLE GAME ATTENDANCE RECORD
October 18-------The 24th-ranked
Wayne State College volleyball team snapped a 19-match losing
streak to Nebraska-Kearney with a 3-0 win over the Lopers
Wednesday evening before a new single game attendance record
of 1,382 fans at Rice Auditorium. The 30-24, 30-14, 30-20
win for WSC over UNK marked the first time since September
12, 1991 that the Wildcats defeated the Lopers in volleyball.
The attendance mark of 1,382 fans on Black Out Night at Rice
Auditorium shattered the previous mark of 1,052 fans set in
1997 when WSC played Nebraska-Omaha in Wayne.
The first game was tightly contested as both teams held the
lead until WSC took control late in the first game, scoring
the final four points to take a 30-24 win. The Wildcats had
just one hitting error in the second game, hitting .409, and
pulled away from the Lopers for an easy 30-14 win. After trailing
early 4-2 in the second game, WSC scored six of the next eight
points to grab an 8-6 lead and UNK never could recover as
the Wildcats pulled away for the 30-20 win and a sweep of
the Lopers.
Senior middle hitter Michelle Eckhardt had 14 kills without
an error and hit .519 for the match to lead a balanced Wildcat
attack. Emily Schroeder and Brittany Van Beek each contributed
13 kills in the Wildcat win. For the match, WSC hit .290 while
holding UNK to a .054 hitting percentage.
Schroeder led Wayne State defensively with 18 digs, followed
by Laura Dolezal with 16, Meredy Dubbs 15 and Brittany Coleman
with 10. Coleman added 43 set assists in the win for Wayne
State.
For Nebraska-Kearney, 21-6 overall, Kelli Bunger had 10 kills
to lead the Lopers. Mikala Gleason had 18 digs and 11 set
assists while Kelli Wemhoff added 16 digs. Kayla Laird accounted
for 11 assists for the Lopers.
Wayne State, now 23-5 on the season, returns to Northern Sun
Conference play this weekend with road games at 7th-ranked
Concordia-St. Paul Friday evening and Upper Iowa Saturday
afternoon at 4 p.m.
WAYNE STATE RANKED 24TH
IN LATEST CSTV/AVCA DIVISION II POLL
October 16------The Wayne State
College volleyball team is ranked 24th in the latest CSTV/AVCA
Division II Top 25 Coaches poll released late Monday afternoon.
The Wildcats, who were ranked 23rd last week, went 2-1 last
week and face a tough slate this week with three games. WSC
will host defending national runner-up Nebraska-Kearney Wednesday
evening at 7 p.m. followed by a Northern Sun Conference road
trip this weekend with contests at #7 Concordia-St. Paul Friday
evening and at Upper Iowa on Saturday at 4 p.m.
CSTV/AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll
2006 POLL # 6: October 9, 2006
Rank School (First-Place Votes) Total Points 2006 Record Last
Week
1 Truman (26) 876 27-1 1
2 Tampa (3) 846 22-1 2
3 Cal State-San Bernardino (3) 817 20-0 3
4 Hillsdale (4) 802 23-0 4
5 Minnesota Duluth 748 22-2 5
6 Grand Valley State 721 20-2 6
7 Concordia-St. Paul 700 25-2 7
8 Florida Southern 638 23-3 8
9 BYU-Hawai’i 630 16-0 9
10 Florida Gulf Coast 579 22-2 10
11 Central Missouri 546 22-3 11
12 UC San Diego 493 17-2 14
13 Chico State 440 16-3 13
14 Seattle Pacific 432 20-2 15
15 Washburn 379 22-5 12
16 Rockhurst 343 21-2 16
17 SIU-Edwardsville 333 21-4 17
18 North Alabama 275 22-5 19
19 Cal State-L.A. 269 14-5 18
20 Nebraska-Omaha 195 16-6 20
21 Southwest Minnesota State 172 23-5 22
22 Central Washington 143 16-5 21
23 West Texas A&M 133 23-3 24
24 Wayne State (Neb.) 61 22-5 23
25 Findlay 36 17-6 NR
Others Receiving Votes and listed on two or more ballots:
Nebraska-Kearney 25; Western
Washington 24; California (Pa.) 18; Wingate 7; Ferris State
4; Lock Haven 3.
Dropped out: Missouri Southern (25)
Next Poll: October 23, 2006
BLACK OUT
NIGHT SCHEDULED FOR WSC HOME VOLLEYBALL MATCH VS. NEBRASKA-KEARNEY
AS WILDCATS ATTEMPT TO SET NEW ATTENDANCE MARK
October 15------The WSC SPORTS
Club (Students Pursuing Occupations Related To Sports) will
be hosting “Black Out Night” on Wednesday evening
(October 18) when the 23rd-ranked Wayne State College volleyball
team hosts in-state rival Nebraska-Kearney. Fans are encouraged
to wear black to the game as a way of showing support for
the Wildcat volleyball team in attempting to set a new single
game volleyball attendance record at Wayne State College.
Fans are invited to come to Rice Auditorium early Wednesday
evening and get a good seat and watch Wayne State and Nebraska-Kearney
volleyball starting at 7 p.m. The single game attendance record
is 1,052 fans set in 1997 when Wayne State battled Nebraska-Omaha.
This year’s UNO at Wayne State match drew the second-highest
crowd for a WSC volleyball match with 819 fans.
BEMIDJI STATE NO
MATCH FOR 22-5 WILDCATS
October 14----The 23rd-ranked
Wayne State College volleyball team held Bemidji State to
a -.035 hitting percentage in route to a 3-0 win over the
Beavers on Saturday afternoon in Wayne. Scores of the match
were 30-12, 30-16 and 30-19. The Wildcats improved to 22-5
overall and 12-2 in the NSIC while the Beavers fell to 7-20
and 3-11 in the league.
Junior middle hitter Emily Schroeder hit .429 in the match
and had 12 kills to go with 10 digs to lead Wayne State. Brittany
Van Beek and Michelle Eckhardt each had 11 and 10 kills, respectively.
Laura Dolezal, a junior libero from Columbus, Neb., had 10
digs, while setter Brittany Coleman dished out 41 assists
in the win. The ‘Cats hit .368 for the match and had
four service aces.
For Bemidji State, Adams Alaina led the Beavers with eight
kills and six digs. Allison Hyatt had 11 digs and Alicia Beaman
finished with 14 assists to lead BSU.
Wayne State will be at home again on Wednesday evening as
the ‘Cats will host defending national runner-up Nebraska-Kearney
at 7:00 p.m. at Rice Auditorium.
WILDCATS SWEEP
MINNESOTA-CROOKSTON
October 13------The 23rd-ranked
Wayne State College volleyball team swept the University of
Minnesota-Crookston in Northern Sun Conference college volleyball
played Friday evening in Wayne. Scores of the match were 30-15,
30-24 and 30-20. The Wildcats improve to 21-5 overall and
11-2 in the NSIC while the visiting Golden Eagles slip to
6-21 and 2-11 in league play.
Emily Schroeder and Brittany Van Beek recorded 13 kills apiece
to lead the Wildcats in hitting. As a team, WSC hit .250 while
holding UMC to a .040 hitting percentage. Junior libero Laura
Dolezal notched 25 digs while senior setter Brittany Coleman
handed out 44 set assists. Schroeder led the Wildcats in blocks
with six.
For Minnesota-Crookston, Theresa Crance had nine kills, Cassie
Yates recorded 27 set assists and Megan Derouard finished
with 13 digs.
Wayne State will be at home again Saturday afternoon to face
Bemidji State in a Northern Sun Conference match at 4:00 p.m.
WAYNE
STATE RANKED SIXTH IN LATEST NORTH CENTRAL REGION RANKINGS
October 12-----The Wayne State
College volleyball team is ranked sixth in the latest NCAA
Division II North Central Regional rankings released late
Wednesday afternoon by the NCAA. The Wildcats’ record
against NCAA opponents as of October 9 was 20-4 and 11-3 within
in the region. Minnesota-Duluth moves into the top spot thanks
to a win over Concordia-St. Paul, who is now second in the
poll. Nebraska-Omaha is third followed by Minnesota State-Mankato,
Southwest Minnesota State and Wayne State in sixth. Augustana
(SD), North Dakota, MSU Moorhead and Winona State round out
the top 10 teams in the regional ranking.
The top eight teams at the end of the regular season will
advance to the NCAA North Central Regional Tournament scheduled
for Nov. 9-11.
Wayne State, now 20-5 on the season, will host Minnesota-Crookston
on Friday night (7 p.m.) and Bemidji State on Saturday afternoon
(4 p.m.)
The following is a complete listing of the top 10 teams listed
in the North Central Region rankings released by the NCAA
Wednesday afternoon.
North Central Region Volleyball Rankings
(Records through Saturday Oct. 7)
Team Overall Regional
1. Minnesota-Duluth 20-2 9-0
2. Concordia-St. Paul 22-2 14-1
3. Nebraska-Omaha 14-5 3-3
4. Minnesota State-Mankato 13-7 7-4
5. Southwest Minnesota St. 20-5 11-4
6. Wayne State College 20-4 11-3
7. Augustana (SD) 10-9 6-3
8. North Dakota 11-7 8-5
9. MSU Moorhead 12-9 7-8
10. Winona State 15-10 7-7
DORDT OUTLASTS WAYNE
STATE IN FIVE GAMES
October 9-----Dordt College
outlasted Wayne State in non-conference volleyball played
Monday evening in Sioux Center, Iowa as the host Defenders
topped the Wildcats 30-23, 30-27, 23-30, 29-31 and 15-12.
The 23rd-ranked Wildcats fall to 20-5 with the loss while
Dordt College improves to 18-9. WSC fought off a match point
in the fourth game, down 29-28, to win 31-29 and send the
contest to a fifth and deciding game where the Defenders scored
the final three points of the match to win 15-12. Statistics
were not immediately available from the contest. WSC will
return to Northern Sun Conference play this weekend, hosting
Minnesota-Crookston Friday at 7 p.m. and Bemidji State on
Saturday at 4 p.m.
EMILY
SCHROEDER COLLECTS NEBRASKA NCAA DIV. II PLAYER OF THE WEEK
HONORS
October 9--------Emily Schroeder
of Wayne State College was honored Monday afternoon with the
Nebraska NCAA Division II Volleyball Player of the Week honors.
It's the second time this season that Schroeder has received
the award. The 5-11 junior middle hitter averaged 5.10 kills,
3.00 digs and 1.20 blocks per game as Schroeder helped the
Wildcats go 3-0 at the NSIC Crossover in Moorhead, Minnesota
over the weekend. Schroeder's top match came against Northern
State last Friday afternoon when she recorded 16 kills, 17
digs and six blocks in a four-game win over the Wolves. For
the weekend, Schroeder hit .312 in the three wins.
LAURAL
DOLEZAL NAMED NSIC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
October 9------Laura
Dolezal of Wayne State College has been selected the Northern
Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week in volleyball
announced by the league office Monday afternoon. It’s
the third time this season that Dolezal has captured the award.
Dolezal, a 5-9 junior libero from Columbus, Neb. (Scotus HS),
averaged 6.44 digs per game in three matches for the 24th-ranked
Wildcats last week to help WSC go 3-0 at the NSIC Crossover
in Moorhead, Minnesota. She recorded a weekend-high 26 digs
in a 3-1 win over Northern State on Friday. Dolezal also notched
21 digs in a 3-0 win over the University of Mary and had 11
digs in a 3-0 win over MSU Moorhead.
For the season, Dolezal is averaging 6.05 digs per game to
rank 17th in NCAA Division II. She is just 33 digs shy of
setting the new school record for career digs at Wayne State
College, set by Lindsey Koch from 1998-2001 with 1,874 digs.
Dolezal enters the week with 1,842 career digs.
Wayne State, 20-4 on the season, visits NAIA power Dordt College
this evening in a 7:00 p.m. match.
ECKHARDT'S
16 KILLS, SIX BLOCKS CARRY #24 WAYNE STATE PAST MSU MOORHEAD
October 7-----The 24th-ranked
Wayne State College volleyball team swept MSU Moorhead Saturday
evening to finish the NSIC Crossover Challenge in Moorhead,
Minnesota with a 3-0 record. Scores of the match were 30-27,
30-15 and 30-19. Wayne State is now 20-4 on the season and
10-2 in the NSIC while MSU Moorhead falls to 12-9 overall
and 7-6 in league contests.
Senior middle hitter Michelle Eckhardt led a balanced hitting
attack for the Wildcats with 16 kills to go with six blocks.
Emily Schroeder added 13 kills and Brittany Van Beek contributed
10 kills for WSC, who hit .250 for the contest. Meredy Dubbs
had a team-high 12 digs, followed by Laura Dolezal with 11
and Danielle Wessel with 10. WSC held MSU Moorhead to a .089
hitting percentage. Brittany Coleman accounted for 42 set
assists for the Wildcats.
Wayne State will play a non-conference match at NAIA power
Dordt College Monday evening at 7 p.m.
#24 WAYNE STATE
SWEEPS UNIVERSITY OF MARY AT NSIC CROSSOVER
October 7----The 24th-ranked
Wayne State College volleyball team swept the University of
Mary 3-0 on Saturday afternoon at the NSIC Crossover in Moorhead,
Minnesota. The Wildcats out-hit the Marauders .216 to .068
in the 30-15, 30-19 and 30-25 win. WSC is now 19-4 overall
and 9-2 in the NSIC, while Mary fell to 7-12 overall and 4-7
in league play.
Junior middle hitter Emily Schroeder hit .425 and recorded
22 kills to lead Wayne State offensively. Laura Dolezal, a
junior libero from Columbus, Nebraska, had 21 digs to lead
the ‘Cats. Setter Brittany Coleman had 44 set assists
and three service aces in the win.
Wayne State will play again at 6:00 p.m. tonight against the
host MSU Moorhead.
#24 WAYNE
STATE RALLIES FOR 3-1 WIN OVER NORTHERN STATE
October 6-----24th-ranked Wayne
State rallied from a slow start to down Northern State 3-1
at the Northern Sun Conference/MSU Moorhead Volleyball Challenge
played in Moorhead, Minnesota. After Northern State won the
first game 30-18, Wayne State posted wins of 30-20, 30-25
and 37-35 to take the match in four games. WSC is now 18-4
overall and 8-2 in the NSIC while Northern State slipped to
11-9 overall and 5-5 in league play.
Senior middle hitter Michelle Eckhardt had 21 kills to lead
the Wildcats in hitting, followed by Emily Schroeder with
16 kills and freshman Jordan Schaffer contributing a career-high
12 kills in the win. As a team, WSC hit .187 compared to Northern
State’s .163. Junior libero Laura Dolezal recorded 26
digs with Schroeder adding 17 digs along with six blocks to
lead the Wayne State defense. Setter Brittany Coleman was
credited with 57 set assists in the win.
“Our defense really picked it up after the first game
and came through for us,” said WSC head coach Scott
Kneifl after the win. “I also thought Jordan Schaffer
was a big boost off the bench and had some big kills. Northern
State is a really good team and I’m glad we came back
after the slow start to get the win.”
Wayne State is back in action tomorrow at the MSUM Challenge
in Moorhead, Minnesota. WSC will play the University of Mary
at noon and MSU Moorhead at 6 p.m. Saturday.
WILDCATS
RANKED 24TH IN LATEST DIVISION II POLL
October 3-----The Wayne State
College volleyball team is ranked 24th in the latest CSTV/AVCA
Division II Top 25 Coaches poll released late Monday afternoon.
The Wildcats, who were ranked 22nd last week, split a pair
of matches last week, losing at then #24 Southwest Minnesota
State 3-1 Tuesday and sweeping Winona State 3-0 in Wayne on
Saturday.
Wayne State will travel to Moorhead, Minnesota this weekend
for the NSIC/MSUM Challenge on Friday and Saturday. The Wildcats
meet Northern State on Friday at noon, then face the University
of Mary at noon Saturday and MSU Moorhead at 6 p.m. Saturday.
CSTV/AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll
2006 POLL # 5: October 2, 2006
Rank School (First-Place Votes) Total Points 2006 Record Last
Week
1 Grand Valley State (21) 873 16-1 2
2 Truman (6) 834 19-1 4
3 Florida Southern (1) 818 18-2 5
4 Tampa (5) 805 18-1 1
5 Minnesota Duluth 751 19-2 6
6 Cal State-San Bernardino (1) 722 15-0 7
7 Concordia-St. Paul 712 18-2 3
8 BYU-Hawai’i (1) 624 11-0 9
9 Hillsdale (1) 609 19-0 10
10 Washburn 581 16-3 8
11 Central Missouri 529 18-3 11
12 Chico State 523 14-1 12
13 Florida Gulf Coast 450 15-2 14
14 UC San Diego 447 13-2 13
15 Seattle Pacific 382 16-2 18
16 Cal State-L.A. 301 11-4 T-16
17 Central Washington 296 14-3 15
18 Rockhurst 293 16-1 21
19 SIU-Edwardsville 233 17-4 19
20 North Alabama 207 14-5 20
21 Nebraska-Omaha 192 12-5 T-16
22 Southwest Minnesota State 153 16-5 24
23 Findlay 144 14-4 23
24 Wayne State (Neb.) 65 17-4 22
T-25 Missouri Southern 35 19-4 25
T-25 West Texas A&M 35 17-3 NR
Others Receiving Votes and listed on two or more ballots:
California (Pa.) 32; Wingate 16; Western
Washington 9; Chaminade 7; Ferris State 6; Nebraska-Kearney
5; Barry 2.
Three schools were listed on only one ballot for a total of
9 points.
Dropped out: none
#22 WAYNE STATE
SWEEPS WINONA STATE
September 30----Emily Schroeder’s
15 kills, 10 digs and seven blocks lifted #22 Wayne State
in a Northern Sun Conference win over Winona State on Saturday
afternoon in Wayne at Rice Auditorium. The ‘Cats won
the first game 30-26 followed by 30-19 and 30-27 scores to
close out the match. The Wildcats trailed 22-18 in the final
game and out scored the Warriors 12-5 to finish the match.
Schroeder led Wayne State with 15 kills, while sophomore Michelle
Eckhardt added 13 kills. Brittany Coleman had 16 digs and
47 set assists in the win. The Wildcats out-hit the Warriors
.326 to .108 and also had 10.0 blocks compared to Winona State’s
1.0.
Megan Pulvermacher and Kiersten Arendt led the Warriors with
11 and 10 kills, respectively. Rudi Balich had 20 digs, while
Lisa Dobie had 31 set assists.
Wayne State is back in action this weekend at the MSUM Challenge
in Moorhead, Minnesota. WSC will play Northern State at noon
on Saturday afternoon and then play two on Sunday against
the University of Mary at noon and the host MSU Moorhead at
4:00 p.m.
#24 SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA
STATE TOPS #22 WAYNE STATE IN FOUR GAMES
September 26------22nd-ranked
Wayne State suffered a four-game loss at #24 Southwest Minnesota
State Tuesday evening in Northern Sun Conference volleyball
played in Marshall, Minnesota as the host Mustangs scored
a 30-28, 30-26, 26-30, 30-19 win over the Wildcats. Both teams
are now 6-2 in the NSIC, tied for second place. WSC is 16-4
overall and SMSU is 15-5.
Junior middle hitter Emily Schroeder had 20 kills and seven
blocks to lead Wayne State. Michelle Eckhardt added 14 kills
for the Wildcats, who hit .159 in the match. Junior libero
Laura Dolezal recorded 18 digs while senior setter Brittany
Coleman accounted for 37 set assists and 10 digs.
Erin Contons paced SMSU with 25 kills and 14 digs as the Mustangs
hit .195 for the match.
Wayne State will return home Saturday for a Northern Sun Conference
match against Winona State starting at 4:00 p.m. at Rice Auditorium.
WILDCATS MOVE
UP TO 22ND IN LATEST DIVISION II RANKINGS----HIGHEST RANKING
IN SCHOOL HISTORY
September 26-----The Wayne
State College volleyball team is ranked 22nd in the latest
CSTV/AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches poll released Tuesday
morning. It’s the highest national ranking for the Wildcat
volleyball team in NCAA Division II volleyball. The Wildcats
were ranked 24th and 25th for a span of four weeks in the
1997 season.
Wayne State went 3-1 last week, sweeping South Dakota, Upper
Iowa and Chadron State while losing a tightly contested match
in three games to 3rd-ranked Concordia-St. Paul.
Wayne State will travel to Marshall, Minnesota tonight for
a 7:00 p.m. match against #24 Southwest Minnesota State (14-5)
with second place at stake in the Northern Sun Conference.
The Wildcats are 16-3 overall and 6-1 in the NSIC while SMSU
is 5-2 in league play. The Wildcats will be at home on Saturday
in a 4:00 p.m. match against Winona State.
CSTV/AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll
2006 POLL # 4: September 25, 2006
Rank School (First-Place Votes) Total Points 2006
Record Last Week
1 Tampa (34) 897 17-0 1
2 Grand Valley State 847 14-1 2
3 Concordia-St. Paul 831 16-1 3
4 Truman 789 16-1 4
5 Florida Southern 754 16-2 5
6 Minnesota Duluth 703 16-2 6
7 Cal State-San Bernardino 690 13-0 7
8 Washburn 627 16-2 8
9 BYU-Hawai’i (1) 619 9-0 9
10 Hillsdale (1) 564 16-0 11
11 Central Missouri 521 16-3 10
12 Chico State 500 12-1 14
13 UC San Diego 464 11-2 13
14 Florida Gulf Coast 404 12-2 16
15 Central Washington 330 14-2 12
T-16 Cal State-L.A. 322 10-2 15
T-16 Nebraska-Omaha 322 11-4 17
18 Seattle Pacific 315 14-2 18
19 SIU-Edwardsville 279 15-2 20
20 North Alabama 241 12-5 19
21 Rockhurst 229 13-1 21
22 Wayne State (Neb.) 110 16-3 25
23 Findlay 80 12-4 23
24 Southwest Minnesota State 57 14-5 24
25 Missouri Southern State 51 18-2 NR
Others Receiving Votes and listed on two or more ballots:
West Texas A&M 31; Nebraska-Kearney
30; California (Pa.) 16; Wingate 15; Chaminade 13; Lock Haven
12; Minnesota State, Mankato 11; Ferris
State 7; Western Washington 2.
Six schools were listed on only one ballot for a total of
17 points.
Dropped out: Nebraska-Kearney (22)
JORDAN SCHAFFER'S
CAREER-HIGH 11 KILLS POWERS WSC TO 3-0 WIN OVER CHADRON STATE
September 24-----Freshman Jordan
Schaffer had a career-high 11 kills to lead #25 Wayne State
past Chadron State in college volleyball played Sunday afternoon
in Wayne. Scores of the match were 30-21, 30-12, and 30-17.
WSC improved to 16-3 on the season while Chadron State falls
to 1-18.
WSC hit .305 for the match while holding Chadron State to
a .009 hitting percentage. Senior setter Brittany Coleman
had 40 set assists and 10 digs while junior libero Laura Dolezal
recorded a team-high 16 digs.
For Chadron State, Patrice Henson had seven kills, Jamie Mills
recorded 21 set assists and Jennifer Luatua had 17 digs.
Wayne State will play a key Northern Sun Conference match
at #24 Southwes | 
