The No. 24 Truman volleyball team travels to the University of Indianapolis Classic this Friday and Saturday to kick off the 2010 season. The Bulldogs will face two teams that reached the NCAA tournament last year to open and close the event, starting with a 10 am battle with Nova-Southeastern on Friday before ending the Classic with a top-25 showdown against No. 4 Indianapolis.
Bulldog Coaching Staff:
Ben Briney is in his second 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 a 24-13 career record following a 137-22 mark during his four seasons as an assistant.
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.).
About the Bulldogs:
- The Bulldogs were picked to finish 5th in the MIAA this season, as selected by the coaches in the annual preseason poll. defending MIAA champions, the University of Central Missouri, were picked to repeat, followed by Washburn, Emporia State, Pittsburg State and Truman.
- The Bulldogs were selected to the AVCA coaches’ top-25 poll for the 141st straight week, dating back to 2000, when they slid in at No. 25 in this season’s preseason poll. The next poll comes out on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
- Truman has nine matches against teams ranked in the preseason top-25, with eight coming in MIAA play. Last season, Truman went 4-9 in top-25 showdowns.
- Getting out to a fast start has suited the Bulldogs well in recent years, including last season when the team went 21-4 in matches when winning the opening set.
- Sophomore Megan Sharpe (AVCA National Freshman of the Year) and seniors Ashley Petak and Casey Bruno all return after being named all-MIAA last season.
- The Bulldogs officially get the 2010 MIAA slate underway by serving it up at 10 am on Friday. Fort Hays State and Northwest Missouri don’t open until 11 am.
Scouting the Opposition (Returning Leaders):
Nova-Southeastern “Sharks”
Top Offense: Molly Sigerich (2.18 k/s, .282); Paola Ruiz (56 kills, 7 matches)
Top Setter: Jordan Pappas (270 assists, 7.50/set in 36 sets)
Top Defense: Kathleen Yony (458 digs, 4.63/s); Sigerich (83 blocks)
Head Coach: Steve Wilcosky (80-53, fifth season)
West Virginia State “Yellow Jackets”
Top Offense: Alyssa Graboski (2.15 k/s, .271); Cameron Lewis (2.74 k/s)
Top Setter: None
Top Defense: Leisha Salyer (279 digs, 2.61/set); Graboski (91 blocks)
Head Coach: Shannon Gerencir (155-110, ninth season)
Wayne State “Warriors”
Top Offense: Kate Sak (1.98 k/s, .305); Madie Kent (64 kills, 24 matches)
Top Setter: Cydney Biessel (1,015 assists, 9.58/set)
Top Defense: Maureen MacDonald (335 digs, 3.35/set); Sak (81 blocks)
Head Coach: Phil Nickel (36-21, third season)
#4 Indianapolis “Greyhounds”
Top Offense: Kristina Kerrigan (3.03 k/s, .231); Lyndsay Callahan (2.64 k/s)
Top Setter: Cheneta Morrison (1,434 assists, 10.54/set)
Top Defense: Amy Oldenburg (234 digs, 1.77/set); Hannah Kelzer (114 bl)
Head Coach: Jody Butera (324-155, 14th season)
Series Info:
Truman vs. Nova-Southeastern (Truman leads all-time series, 2-0).
Last meeting: Truman won, 3-0, on Dec. 4, 2008 in Saint Paul, Minn.
Truman vs. West Virginia State (First meeting).
Truman vs. Wayne State (Truman leads all-time series, 1-0).
Last meeting: Truman won, 3-1, on Sept. 4, 1999 in Kenosha, Wis.
Truman vs. Indianapolis (Indianapolis leads all-time series, 1-0).
Last meeting: UIndy won, 3-0, on Sept. 5, 2009 in Florence, Ala.
Up Next:
The Bulldogs will travel to St. Louis for a second weekend tournament next Friday and Saturday, taking on three schools from the Great Lakes Valley Conference along with Arkansas-Fort Smith. That event gets underway for Truman on Fri., Sept. 10 at 10 am against Southern Indiana
Courtesy Truman State University
