aug. 30, 2000
No. 23 Volleyball Squad Ventures To Kansas City For Rockhurst Invitational
ROCKHURST INVITATIONAL GAME: Truman State University Bulldogs (Mid-America
Intercollegiate Athletics Association/NCAA Division II) vs. Texas Wesleyan
College Rams (Heartland Conference/NCAA Division II)
DATE: Friday, Sept. 1
TIME: 3:30 p.m. (CDT)
LOCATION: Kansas City, Mo.
ARENA: Mason-Halpin Arena (1,500)
ROCKHURST INVITATIONAL GAME: Truman State University Bulldogs (Mid-America
Intercollegiate Athletics Association/NCAA Division II) vs. University of
North Dakota Fighting Sioux (North Central Conference/NCAA Division II)
DATE: Friday, Sept. 1
TIME: 7:30 p.m. (CDT)
LOCATION: Kansas City, Mo.
ARENA: Mason-Halpin Arena (1,500)
ROCKHURST INVITATIONAL GAME: Truman State University Bulldogs (Mid-America
Intercollegiate Athletics Association/NCAA Division II) vs. Rockhurst University
Hawks (Independent/NCAA Division II)
DATE: Saturday, Sept. 2
TIME: 9:30 a.m. (CDT)
LOCATION: Kansas City, Mo.
ARENA: Mason-Halpin Arena (1,500)
ROCKHURST INVITATIONAL GAME: Truman State University Bulldogs (Mid-America
Intercollegiate Athletics Association/NCAA Division II) vs. Midwestern State
University Lady Indians (Lone Star Conference/NCAA Division II)
DATE: Saturday, Sept. 2
TIME: 1:30 p.m. (CDT)
LOCATION: Kansas City, Mo.
ARENA: Mason-Halpin Arena (1,500)
TRUMAN: The Bulldogs began their season in fine fashion over the weekend, posting a 3-1 record at the Nebraska-Omaha/Ramada Inn Tournament. Among the wins was a 3-1 decision over then-sixth-ranked North Dakota State, a victory that helped Truman secure the No. 23 ranking in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association poll. The 'Dogs also suffered a hard fought loss to Nebraska-Omaha, with no game of the match decided by more than three points.
Senior middle/outside hitter Janelle Zehr (Deer Creek, Ill./Mackinaw) currently leads the Bulldogs in kills, averaging 4.31 per game, while junior middle hitter Eliza Hoerner (Augusta, Mo./Colorado-Colorado Springs) is second and 3.62. Hoerner also has the team's best hitting percentage (.286) and leads the team in blocks (1.08 per game) and service aces (0.54 per game). Sophomore setter Monica Marlowe (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora) is averaging a team-high 10.75 assists and 3.42 digs a game.
Zehr and Hoerner were named to the all-tournament team at Nebraska-Omaha.
TRUMAN AT UNO TOURNEY: In the opener at the UNO Tournament last weekend, the Bulldogs rallied to take the final three games over North Dakota State and upset the sixth-ranked Bison 3-1. Zehr had 24 kills while hitting .267 and Hoerner added 16 kills. Junior Jenny Glenn (Granby, Colo./Middle Park) had 10 kills and 15 digs. Truman hit .408 in the second game of the match to pick up the victory.
Later on Friday, in game 2, the 'Dogs suffered a 3-1 setback at the hands of fifth-ranked Nebraska-Omaha. Zehr led Truman with 18 kills and 20 digs while Hoerner recorded 13 kills, three service aces and five blocks. Marlowe charted 43 assists and 21 digs. After playing NDSU to a two hour and 20 minute match earlier in the day, the 'Dogs were somewhat fatigued.
Saturday's action saw Truman open the day with a 3-0 sweep of Morningside (Iowa) with Hoerner recording 11 kills. In their tournament finale, the Bulldogs posted another 3-0 sweep, this time over Colorado School of Mines. Junior middle hitter Cassy Felkerson (Salem, Mo.) led the way with nine kills while freshman setter Rachael Shedd (Omaha, Neb./Westside) recorded 22 assists sharing time with Marlowe.
ROCKHURST TOURNAMENT OPPONENTS: Texas Wesleyan, which lost four seniors from last year's 18-6 team, opens its season at the Rockhurst Tournament. The Rams are competing as part of the newly-formed Heartland Conference.
North Dakota has also opened the season with a 3-1 record, posting wins over Southwest State (Minn.), Carson-Newman (Tenn.) and Northern State (S.D.) at the Southwest State/Burger King Classic last weekend. In their only other match of the tournament, the Fighting Sioux fell by a 3-0 count to St. Mary's (Texas). UND is led by senior Kristal Guyda, who averages 3.36 kills per game. Sophomore Laura Birk is currently hitting .354 with 3.29 kills per game and a team-high 1.21 blocks per game. Sophomore Kate Cahill also has 1.21 blocks per game and a .407 hitting percentage.
Rockhurst, currently ranked 22nd, started the season with a 4-0 record after winning the Southwest State/Burger King Classic last weekend. The Hawks posted 3-0 sweeps over Minnesota-Morris and Northern State (S.D.), and were 3-1 winners over St. Mary's (Texas) and Southwest State (Minn.).
Midwestern State began its season on Tuesday with a 3-0 loss to Angelo State (Texas). The Lady Indians return one starter and two letterwinners from last season's 8-24 squad.
SERIES RECORDS: Truman holds a 1-0 series lead over its opening opponent, Texas Wesleyan. North Dakota leads the all-time series with Truman 3-1, while Rockhurst holds a 2-1 edge in the all-time series with the 'Dogs. Truman and Midwestern State (Texas) will be meeting for the first time ever.
COACH BECKY EGGERING: Becky Eggering is in her fourth year at the helm of the Bulldogs and has a 69-37 career record.
NATIONAL POLL: Truman entered the AVCA Coaches Top 25 this week, coming in at No. 23 after being among the others receiving votes last week. Here is the complete poll:
UP NEXT: Truman begins conference play on Sept. 8 and 9 when the team travels to Emporia, Kan. and Topeka, Kan., for matchups with Emporia State and Washburn, respectively.
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