October 18, 2010
(KIRKSVILLE) – Four weeks remain in the 2010 regular season for the 11th-ranked Truman volleyball squad, and two of the three remaining matches against top-15 teams are on this week's docket, as the Bulldogs (19-3, 8-2 MIAA) host No. 12 Emporia State on Wednesday night before traveling to No. 2 Washburn and Fort Hays State this Friday and Saturday.
The Bulldogs will be looking to exact revenge on Emporia (17-4, 8-2 MIAA) this Wednesday, as the Hornets opened conference play by handing Truman a 3-1 loss on Sept. 14 in Emporia. Both teams hit better than .340 in that match, and no set was decided by a margin wider than four points.
After Wednesday's contest, the Bulldogs will embark on their longest road trip of the season, heading out to the plains of western Kansas on Friday and Saturday. Along the way, the 'Dogs will battle a Washburn (21-1, 9-1 MIAA) squad on Friday night whose only loss came at the hands of Truman – a 3-1 Bulldog victory on Sept. 17 in Kirksville. Then, Truman will go for the season sweep of Fort Hays State (7-14, 0-9 MIAA) after defeating the Tigers, 3-0, on Sept. 18.
This week also marks the arrival of the first official NCAA regional rankings. The top-eight teams in the final set rankings, which will be released every Wednesday throughout the remainder of the regular season until Selection Sunday on Nov. 14, will compete in the South Central regional on the first weekend of the NCAA Div. II tournament.
Following Along This Week:
Track the Bulldogs all week through the official website of Truman Athletics – www.TrumanBulldogs.com! On the Bulldog volleyball schedule page, fans can find links to free live stats and pay-per-view live online video through AmericaOne/B2 Networks.
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 43-16 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.).
Dig Pink Night to be Celebrated Wednesday:
On Wednesday (Oct. 20) night, the Bulldog volleyball squad will have its annual “Dig Pink” night for breast cancer awareness, raising funds for research. Both squads will be wearing special pink jerseys to celebrate the evening, and all fans are encouraged to wear pink to “Pink Out Pershing”.
Admission for the Wednesday night match will be free for all spectators, and a special silent auction will take place during the first and second sets to help raise funds. In addition, a special collection will be taken with all donations being collected for breast cancer research. The Truman volleyball team has set a goal of $1,000 to be raised on Wednesday night or throughout the week.
'Dogs Drop to 11th:
In a display of how tightly packed the top of the AVCA Coaches' top-25 is this season, the Bulldogs dropped from 10th to 11th, despite going 2-0 last week. Hillsdale (Mich.) passed the 'Dogs to take Truman's spot in the top 10.
Washburn is the top MIAA team in the rankings at No. 2, with Central Missouri coming in at No. 7, Truman at No. 11 and Emporia State at No. 12.
Six of Truman's 2010 opponents are currently ranked, with the three aforementioned schools leading two GLVC programs (Indianapolis, 19th; Missouri-St. Louis, 21st) and Lone Star program Abilene Christian, who sits between them at No. 20.
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 last 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 148h straight week, dating back to 2000, when they came in at No. 11 in this week's poll. The next poll comes out on Monday, Oct. 25.
- Truman has often been able to avoid getting blown out in sets this season, going 38-16 in sets that have a five-point or greater spread at conclusion.
- The Bulldogs lead the MIAA in team serving this season, averaging 1.65 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 17-1 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. 21.
Truman also has handled closing out matches this year, going 11-0 in matches which they take a 2-0 lead heading to the third set.
Milestone Watch:
- Senior libero Casey Bruno passed the 1,000 career dig mark last week.
- Senior outside hitter Allison Barker passed the 750 career dig mark last week.
- Sophomore right-side Lauren Radix passed the 100 career kill mark last week.
- Senior Ashley Petak (1,230) needs 20 digs to reach 1,250 for her career. In addition, she is just 43 digs away from reaching Truman's all-time top-10 (Brenda Ippensen: 1,273, 1998-2001).
- Junior Kylie Easlon (1,104) needs 23 assists to tie Amanda Holliday (1,127, 2004-2007) for 10th all-time in career assists.
- Sophomore Heather Hargadine (239) needs 11 kills to reach 250 for her career.
- Sophomore Allyson Stellmach (89) needs 11 kills to reach 100 for her career.
Scouting The Squads:
#11 Truman (19-3, 8-2 MIAA)
- Team Offense: 12.84 kills/set; .232 atk pct; 1.65 aces/set
- Team Defense: 16.09 digs/set; 2.19 blocks/set
- Top Offense: Megan Sharpe (2.66 kills/set, .352 atk pct); Allison Barker (2.59 k/s, .235%)
- Top Setter: Ashley Petak (481 assists, 5.66/set); Kylie Easlon (365 assists, 4.29/s)
- Top Defense: Casey Bruno (341 digs, 4.21/set); Sharpe (83 blocks, 1.01/set)
#12 Emporia State “Hornets” (17-4, 8-2 MIAA)
- Team Offense: 14.31 kills/set; .271 atk pct; 1.19 aces/set
- Team Defense: 15.33 digs/set; 1.89 blocks/set
- Top Offense: Brittney Miller (4.03 kills/set, .404 atk pct); Brianne Boner (2.66 k/s, .273%)
- Top Setter: Ting Liu (849 assists, 11.32/set)
- Top Defense: Meg Schwartz (299 digs, 4.10/set); Boner (63 blocks, 0.85/set)
- Head Coach: Bing Xu (6th season at ESU, 146-47 record)
- Series Info: TSU leads, 32-13. Last: ESU won, 3-1, on Sept. 14, in Emporia.
#2 Washburn “Lady Blues” (21-1, 9-1 MIAA)
- Team Offense: 14.19 kills/set; .275 atk pct; 1.36 aces/set
- Team Defense: 17.32 digs/set; 2.29 blocks/set
- Top Offense: Breanna Lewis (2.77 kills/set, .370 atk pct); Jessica Fey (2.58 k/s, .325%)
- Top Setter: Amanda Guess (681 assists, 9.33/set)
- Top Defense: Molly Smith (355 digs, 4.93/set); Fey (64 blocks, 0.90/set)
- Head Coach: Chris Herron (9th season at WU, 268-50 record; 12th season overall, 343-79 record)
- Series Info: TSU leads, 36-10. Last: TSU won, 3-1, on Sept. 17, in Kirksville.
Fort Hays State “Tigers” (7-14, 0-9 MIAA)
- Team Offense: 12.27 kills/set; .162 atk pct; 0.99 aces/set
- Team Defense: 15.43 digs/set; 1.27 blocks/set
- Top Offense: Tracie Hileman (3.54 kills/set, .182 atk pct); Makayla McPhail (2.90 k/s, .161 atk pct)
- Top Setter: Whitney Liggett (718 assists, 9.70/set)
- Top Defense: Kirsten Chamberlain (269 digs, 3.90/set); Samantha Ledy (43 blocks, 0.58/set)
- Head Coach: Kurt Kohler (2nd season at FHSU, 14-41 record)
- Series Info: TSU leads, 9-0. Last: TSU won, 3-0, on Sept. 17, in Kirksville.
Up Next:
The Bulldogs will play three more matches next week, traveling to Southwest Baptist on Tuesday night before hosting Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State next Friday and Saturday evenings.
Prior to the Oct. 30 contest against Pittsburg State, the Bulldogs will honor their four seniors on the annual Senior Night.
