Full Notes (PDF)
Season Stats (PDF)
Week At-a-Glance:
The 19th-ranked Truman volleyball team is down to its final four matches of the 2009 regular season and will battle a pair of top-20 teams this week. The Bulldogs will travel to MIAA-leading and 6th-ranked Central Missouri on Wednesday night before hosting 20th-ranked Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday night in Pershing Arena.
Prior to the match against UNO, the Bulldogs will recognize their three graduating seniors - Lauren Graybeal, Erin Hattey and Krysta Tholen - for their contributions to the Truman athletics program during the past four years.
Both matches are extremely important for Truman (22-10, 10-6 MIAA) in its quest for a 10th-straight postseason berth. A win Wednesday night would give the team road wins this season against both UCM (28-4, 14-2 MIAA) and Emporia State, while a victory on Saturday would solidify a season sweep of UNO (19-10, 9-7 MIAA) - currently the region’s sixth-ranked squad right behind Truman.
The Week’s Schedule:
#19 Truman @ #6 Central Missouri, 7:00 pm - Wednesday (Warrensburg)
#19 Truman vs. #20 Nebraska-Omaha, 6:00 pm - Saturday (Kirksville)
Links to live stats and video will be provided on the Bulldog schedule page for both matches if available.
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 22-10 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.
Checking out the Charts:
- Freshman Emily Briseno is making noise on the Truman all-time blocking charts, as her 0.84 blocks/set currently has her in the top-10 among those with at least 50 career blocks. Fellow freshman Megan Sharpe sits just outside the top-10 currently at 0.81.
- Junior Ashley Petak is inching closer to 1,000 career digs, as she needs just 54 more to become the third player in Truman history to reach 2,500 assists and 1,000 digs for a career.
- Junior Casey Bruno, in her first season as the team’s full-time libero, has nearly 600 career digs and currently is second all-time in program history with an average of 4.31 per set.
- Senior Lauren Graybeal passed the 800 career kill mark last weekend and is just 12 blocks shy of 200 for her career.
Quick Sets:
- The Bulldogs found themselves sitting fifth in the second NCAA South Central regional poll and were one of six MIAA teams ranked in the top-eight. A new poll will not be released until Thursday, Nov. 12 prior to the bracket’s release on Sunday, Nov. 15.
- Truman has shown two statistical oddities - in the areas of road record and record in close sets - when considering the overall youth of this year’s squad. The Bulldogs have been better on the road (6-3) than at home (5-4) this season while also posting a 35-20 record in sets decided by less than five points. The ‘Dogs are also 7-2 in sets that go beyond 25 points (ex., 26-24).
- Truman is hitting .199 as a team and is holding opponents to a .167 clip. The Bulldogs are 12-0 this season when foes hit lower than .149 in the match.
- Freshman Megan Sharpe leads the squad in kills (347), kills/set (3.10), hitting percentage (.366) and blocks (91).
- Truman’s No. 19 ranking in this week’s AVCA coaches’ top-25 poll marked the 137th straight week that the Bulldogs found themselves in the poll.
Scouting Report:
Central Missouri “Jennies” -1st in MIAA, 1st in South Central Region
- Top Offense: Paula Harris (2.89 k/s, .324%); Allie Huffan (3.25 k/s, .254%)
- Top Setter: Caitlin Pankratz (1,166 assists, 10.70/set)
- Top Defense (Digs): Rachel Fister (578 digs, 5.30/set)
- Top Defense (Blocks): Bradye Peniston (119 blocks, 1.09/set)
- Head Coach: Flip Piontek (28-4, first season)
Nebraska-Omaha “Mavericks” – 6th in MIAA, 6th in South Central Region
- Top Offense: Ellen Thommes (3.15 k/s, .410%); Kelli Goeser (2.95 k/s)
- Top Setter: Emily Myers (1,195 assists, 10.96/set)
- Top Defense (Digs): Angie Reicks (467 digs, 4.28/set)
- Top Defense (Blocks): Thommes (111 blocks, 1.02/set)
- Head Coach: Rose Shires (406-225, 20th season)
Series Info:
Truman vs. Central Missouri (Central Missouri leads all-time series, 51-30-3).
This season: Central Missouri won, 3-2, on Oct. 7 in Kirksville.
Truman vs. Nebraska-Omaha (Neb.-Omaha leads all-time series, 13-7).
This season: Truman won, 3-2, on Oct. 10 in Omaha, Neb.
Up Next:
The Bulldogs wrap up the 2009 regular season with a pair of road contests next Friday and Saturday at Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western. Friday night’s match at NWMSU is set for 7 pm while Saturday’s contest is scheduled for 2 pm in St. Joseph.