October 12, 2010
(KIRKSVILLE) – The halfway point of the MIAA schedule hits the No. 10 Truman volleyball team this week, as the Bulldogs prepare to welcome a pair of conference teams sitting in the middle of the MIAA pack – Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western – to Pershing Arena this Friday and Saturday.
The Bulldogs (17-3, 6-2 MIAA) will look to hit the midpoint of conference play with a three-match winning streak after going 1-1 in action last week. Truman fell in three sets at 7th-ranked Central Missouri on Wednesday (Oct. 6) before rebounding with a five-set victory against Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday (Oct. 9) afternoon at home.
Both Northwest Missouri (8-7, 4-3 MIAA) and Missouri Western (8-9, 4-4 MIAA) have visions of a plus-.500 first run through conference play on their minds and will play each other on Wednesday night before coming to Kirksville this weekend. The programs have both exceeded expectations of the conference coaches at the outset, as the Bearcats were picked eighth while the Griffons were predicted to finish 10th in the MIAA preseason poll.
Following Along This Week:
With both of Truman's matches taking place at Pershing Arena this week, free live stats through Sidearm Sports and pay-per-view live online video through America One/B2 Network will be provided through TrumanBulldogs.com.
Links to both will be available on the volleyball schedule page at TrumanBulldogs.com.
Bulldog Coaching Staff:
Ben Briney in is his second season as the head coach of the Truman volleyball program and is now in his sixth season overall at the University after serving as the program's top assistant from 2005-2008. He is the ninth head coach in program history and has a 41-16 career record.
In his first season as head coach, the Bulldogs maintained a top-25 ranking throughout the season, extending the consecutive-week streak to 140 for the program. The squad won 24 games and reached the NCAA tournament for the tenth time in program history. He had five players named all-MIAA, headlined by freshman Megan Sharpe, who garnered National Freshman of the Year accolades as well as first-team all-region status.
During his tenure as an assistant, the Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Division II tournament in all four seasons, won two South Central regional championships and advanced to the national semifinals one time (2008). He helped coach six different players to 11 combined AVCA all-American awards, saw two players win the MIAA's MVP award and led the team to its first No. 1 ranking in the AVCA top-25 coaches poll in school history.
He is assisted by Megan Wargo, who is also in her second season at Truman after spending four years as the assistant coach at Lees-McRae (N.C.).
'Dogs Stay Put in 10th:
Despite going 1-1 in last week's action, the Bulldogs stayed at No. 10 in this week's AVCA top-25 Coaches' Poll, released Monday afternoon.
Three MIAA programs remain in the top ten, with Washburn moving up into a tie for fourth and Central Missouri moving up one spot to No. 7. Emporia State remained in the top-15, holding firm at No. 15.
Six of Truman's 2010 opponents are currently ranked, with the three aforementioned schools leading two GLVC programs (Missouri-St. Louis, 19th; Indianapolis, 20th) and Lone Star program Abilene Christian, who stayed at No. 21 for the second straight week.
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast:
Truman volleyball has been true “survivors” this season, as the purple and white are 7-0 in five-set matches on the season. Five of Truman's last six matches have been five-set victories, including this past Saturday's 3-2 win against Nebraska-Omaha.
The Bulldogs are hitting .309 (63-17-149) in fifth set action this year, more than three times better than its opponents, who have been able to muster just a .100 (43-27-160) mark against the 'Dog defense.
Quick Sets:
- The Bulldogs were selected to the AVCA coaches' top-25 poll for the 147th straight week, dating back to 2000, when they came in at No. 10 in this week's poll. The next poll comes out on Monday, Oct. 18.
- Truman has often been able to avoid getting blown out in sets this season, going 33-15 in sets that have a five-point or greater spread at conclusion.
- The Bulldogs lead the MIAA in team serving this season, averaging 1.67 aces per set. That dealing has been shared across the squad, as seven different players have led (or co-led) the 'Dogs in service aces in a match this year.
Taking Care of Business:
The Bulldogs this season are 15-1 in matches against teams not ranked in the top-25 at match time. The one loss came to then-unranked Missouri-St. Louis, who is currently in the top-25 at No. 19.
Truman also has handled closing out matches this year, going 9-0 in matches which they take a 2-0 lead heading to the third set.
Milestone Watch:
- Senior libero Casey Bruno (993) needs seven digs to reach 1,000 for her career.
- Senior Allison Barker (726) needs 24 digs to reach 750 for her career.
- Sophomore Heather Hargadine (230) needs 20 kills to reach 250 for her career.
- Sophomore Lauren Radix (99) needs one kill to reach 100 for her career.
- Sophomore Allyson Stellmach (82) needs 18 kills to reach 100 for her career.
Scouting The Squads:
#10 Truman (17-3, 6-2 MIAA)
- Team Offense: 12.87 kills/set; .228 atk pct; 1.67 aces/set
- Team Defense: 15.92 digs/set; 2.17 blocks/set
- Top Offense: Megan Sharpe (2.68 kills/set, .354 atk pct); Allison Barker (2.58 k/s, .223%)
- Top Setter: Ashley Petak (448 assists, 5.74/set); Kylie Easlon (329 assists, 4.22/s)
- Top Defense: Casey Bruno (311 digs, 4.20/set); Sharpe (74 blocks, 0.99/set)
Northwest Missouri “Bearcats” (8-7, 4-3 MIAA)
- Team Offense: 12.27 kills/set; .202 atk pct; 1.54 aces/set
- Team Defense: 14.05 digs/set; 1.98 blocks/set
- Top Offense: Alex Hanna (3.07 kills/set, .206 atk pct); Sara Falcone (2.84 k/s, .243%)
- Top Setter: Laira Akin (556 assists, 9.93/set)
- Top Defense: Paige Spangenberg (262 digs, 4.68/set); Falcone (54 blocks, 0.96/set)
- Head Coach: Jessica Rinehart (1st season at NWMSU, 119-119 career record in eight seasons)
- Series Info: TSU leads, 53-25-1. Last: Split in 2009 (TSU won, 3-0, in Kirksville; NW won, 3-1, in Maryville)
Missouri Western “Griffons” (8-9, 4-4 MIAA)
- Team Offense: 11.41 kills/set; .165 atk pct; 1.34 aces/set
- Team Defense: 14.23 digs/set; 1.48 blocks/set
- Top Offense: Kelli Sicner (2.47 kills/set, .140 atk pct); Tahler Johnston (2.41 k/s, .159%)
- Top Setter: Stephanie Hattey (338 assists, 5.28/set); Lauren Burbach (233 assists, 4.40/s)
- Top Defense: Britny Pearl (173 digs, 4.44/set); Alex Behnke (57 blocks, 0.89/set)
- Head Coach: Cory Frederick (2nd season at MWSU; 19-31 record)
- Series Info: TSU leads, 40-20. Last: TSU swept in 2009 (Won, 3-1, in Kirksville; Won, 3-1, in St. Joseph)
Up Next:
The second half of conference play starts with the schedule reversing itself from the first time around, meaning Truman will play host to No. 15 Emporia State on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 7pm in Pershing Arena. That night has been designated as Truman's “Dig Pink” night to help raise both awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Truman will wear special pink jerseys that night.
The 'Dogs then wrap up the week with its longest conference road trip of the season, traveling to No. 4 Washburn on Friday, Oct. 22, before trekking to west-central Kansas for a showdown with Fort Hays State on Saturday, Oct. 23.
