Full Notes (PDF)
Season Stats (PDF)
Week At-a-Glance:
After picking up win No. 20 for the 20th straight season last week, the No. 18 Truman volleyball squad will press on towards a post-season berth with three MIAA matches this week.
The Bulldogs will host Southwest Baptist on Wednesday night in Pershing Arena before hitting the road for back-to-back matches at Missouri Southern and #24 Pittsburg State on Friday and Saturday.
Saturday’s match at Pittsburg State will also mark a milestone for the volleyball program, as it will be the 1,250th all-time match for Truman. The Bulldogs have an all-time program record of 792-441-14 (.641) entering play this week.
The Week’s Schedule:
-#18 Truman vs. Southwest Baptist, 7:00 pm - Wednesday (Kirksville)
-#18 Truman @ Missouri Southern, 7:00 pm - Friday (Joplin, Mo.)
-#18 Truman @ #24 Pittsburg State, 3:00 pm - Saturday (Pittsburg, Kan.)
If available, a link to live stats and video will be provided via the Bulldog volleyball schedule page.
Following the Team:
Bulldog box scores and match recaps will be available following each match on Truman’s Web site: gobulldogs.truman.edu.
Free live stats for all home matches in 2009 will be available through Truman’s Sports Information office, while live video will be hosted by B2 Networks. Links to both will be available on Truman’s Athletics Web site.
Bulldog Coaching Staff:
Ben Briney is in his first season as the head coach of the Bulldog volleyball program following a four-year stint as Truman’s top assistant from 2005-2008. As a head coach, he has an 20-9 career record following a 137-22 mark during his four seasons as an assistant.
He is assisted by Megan Wargo, who is in her first season at Truman after spending the past four years as the assistant coach at Div. II Lees-McRae (N.C.) College.
About the Bulldogs:
- Truman continues to creep higher in the AVCA coaches’ top-25 poll, moving up one spot to No. 18 this week after spending last week at No. 19, the previous week at No. 20 and the week prior at No. 21.
- The Bulldogs found themselves sitting sixth in the first NCAA South Central regional poll and were one of six MIAA teams ranked in the top-eight. A new poll will be released later this week.
- Truman is hitting .201 as a team and is holding opponents to a .168 clip. The Bulldogs are 11-0 this season when foes hit lower than .149 in the match.
- Freshman Megan Sharpe leads the squad in kills (328), kills/set (3.09), hitting percentage (.364), blocks (86) and blocks/set (0.81).
- Senior Lauren Graybeal ranks second in kills (282), kills/set (2.47), blocks (66) and blocks/set (0.58).
- Junior Ashley Petak needs just 80 more digs to reach 1,000 for her career. She would also become just the third player in Truman history to reach 2,500 assists and 1,000 digs should she reach the mark.
- Junior libero Casey Bruno leads all Bulldogs with 431 total digs (4.63/set).
Scouting the Opposition:
Southwest Baptist “Bearcats”
Top Offense: Ashley Jurgensmeyer (2.80 k/s, .299); Alex Smith (2.73 k/s)
Top Setter: Brianna Wallace (970 assists, 9.07/set)
Top Defense: Marcy Greenwade (310 digs, 3.07/s); Jurgensmeyer (98 blocks)
Head Coach: Kelly Richardson (31-62, third season)
Missouri Southern “Lions”
Top Offense: Jeanna Feldmann (3.29 k/s, .178); Renee Rheinecker (3.12/s)
Top Setter: Elin Skei (1,119 assists, 10.46/set)
Top Defense: Kari Hammerbacher (410 digs, 3.83/set); Brittany Vavao-Huggins (84 blocks)
Head Coach: Chris Willis (84-106, sixth season)
#24 Pittsburg State “Gorillas”
Top Offense: Pamela Cartagena (4.08 k/s, .254); Corrine Stringer (3.18/s)
Top Setter: Emily Vosseler (1,132 assists, 11.21/set)
Top Defense: Cassie Wilson (479 digs, 4.74/set); Brooke Fay (56 blocks)
Head Coach: Ibraheem Suberu (201-166, 11th season at PSU)
Series Info:
Truman vs. Southwest Baptist (Truman leads all-time series, 46-6).
This season: Truman won, 3-2, on Sept. 22 in Bolivar, Mo.
Truman vs. Missouri Southern (Truman leads all-time series, 30-15).
This season: Missouri Southern won, 3-2, on Sept. 25 in Kirksville.
Truman vs. Pittsburg State (Truman leads all-time series, 40-4).
This season: Truman won, 3-1, on Sept. 26 in Kirksville.
Up Next:
Truman will have just four matches to play in the 2009 regular season following this week’s action and will cut that in half next week. The Bulldogs will battle conference-leader Central Missouri on Nov. 4 in Warrensburg before coming home for Senior Night against Nebraska-Omaha on Nov. 7.