by Jen Armson-Dyer
The Women’s Division I season continues to thrill as teams
find their personalities and strides heading into the third week of the
competitive season. Here’s a look at some interesting match-ups this week –
including some for in-state bragging rights.
#3 UCLA (3-1) vs. #9
Hawai'i (5-1)
The Bruins travel to the islands for a Sunday night match-up
with the Rainbow Wahine (5:00 p.m. HT) – a series that has been played at least
once a season since 1974, the first year of the program at Hawaii. The Wahine
lead the all-time series 36-33 but the Bruins claimed a four-set victory a year
ago. Rachael Kidder and Tabi Love lead UCLA with 3.40 and 3.31 kills per set,
respectively, as Bojana Todorovic tops the defense with 42 digs and Zoe Nightingale
leads the blocking chart with 19 total blocks. Hawaii, looking to rebound after
a five-set loss to Cal last weekend, is led by Emily Hartong with 4.45 kills
per set, Alyssa Longo with 67 total digs and Kalei Adolpho with 25 total
blocks. Live stats can be found at http://www.sidearmstats.com/hawaii/wvball/scoreboard.aspx
and other multi-media information can be found here: http://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2012/9/3/WVB_0903124618.aspx?path=wvball
#4 Texas (5-1) vs.
#14 Minnesota (5-0)
The Longhorns welcome the Golden Gophers to Austin for
consecutive matches on Thursday and Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT each night. It will
be the first road trip for new Minnesota head coach Hugh McCutcheon, who joined
the team on Aug. 30th after completing his coaching responsibilities with USA
Volleyball earlier this month, coaching the women’s team to a silver medal at
the London Olympics. Texas, looking to get back on track after a 3-0 sweep at
Penn State last weekend, is led by Haley Eckerman with 4.39 kills per set,
Sarah Palmer with 66 total digs and Khat Bell with 18 total blocks. For
Minnesota, Katherine Harms leads the team with 4.31 kills per set as Ashley
Wittman tops the defense with 60 total digs and Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of
the Week Tori Dixon tops the blocking list with 19 total stuffs. Both matches
will be televised on the Longhorn network and will also have Gametracker and
live audio, with links found here: http://www.texassports.com/sports/w-volley/sched/tex-w-volley-sched.html
#5 Southern
California (6-0) vs. #17 San Diego (3-1)
The Women of Troy host the Toreros Friday night at 7:00 p.m.
in the Galen Center at the USC Classic, which also features Notre Dame and Cal
Poly. The last meeting between the two teams was a 3-1 USC win on Dec. 4, 2010
in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Katie Fuller leads the way for USC
with 4.28 kills per set while Natalie Hagglund tops the defense with 99 total
digs and Natasa Siljkovic heads the blocking list with 15 total blocks. For San
Diego, Katie Hoekman leads the squad with 2.75 kills per set and nine blocks as
Kandiss Anderson paces the defense with 38 total digs. Gametracker and audio
can be found at http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/w-volley/sched/usc-w-volley-sched.html
#6 Florida State
(6-0) vs. Miami (6-1)
The Seminoles travel to Coral Gables, Fla., for a Friday
matchup with Miami at 7:30 p.m. ET in a contest that will be broadcast on
ESPNU. Florida State leads the all-time series 20-16-1 but each of the last two
years the teams split the series. The Seminoles start the season at 6-0 for the
first time since 2000 and are led by Fatma Yildirim with 2.84 kills per set,
Katie Mosher with 74 total digs and Ashley Neff with 40 total blocks. The
Hurricanes are led by Taylor Hollins with 4.00 kills per set, Ryan Shaffer with
128 total digs and Alexis Mourning with 31 total blocks.
#10 Dayton (6-0) vs.
Ohio State (5-1)
Reaching its highest ranking in program history, the Flyers
and Buckeyes face off on Friday at 10:00 a.m. ET in Bowling Green, Ky. Ohio
State leads the all-time series 11-9, including a five-set win in the second
round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. Rachel Krabacher leads Dayton with 4.55
kills per set as Janna Krafka tops the defense with 96 total digs and Isolde
Hannan heads the blocking list with 30 total stuffs. Mari Hole leads the
Buckeyes with 4.23 kills per set as Davionna DiSalvatore tops the defense with
77 total digs and Emily Danks and Mariah Booth both have contributed 15 total
blocks to lead the squad. Links to audio can be found here: http://www.daytonflyers.com/womens/volleyball/schedule/
#18 Iowa State (2-3)
vs. #25 Northern Iowa (4-2)
The Cyclones and Panthers meet up on Wednesday night in Iowa
State’s home opener at 6:30 p.m. CT. UNI leads the all-time series 26-23,
including a three-game sweep of Iowa State last season. The Cyclones, fresh off
a five-set victory at Illinois last weekend, are led by Mackenzie Bigbee with
3.29 kills per set, Kristen Hahn with 90 total digs and Tenisha Matlock with 14
total blocks. Northern Iowa is led by Amy Braun with 3.16 kills per set, MVC
Defensive Player of the Week Candice Burke with 79 total digs and Shelby
Kintzel with 24 total blocks. Links to video and live stats can be found here: http://www.cyclones.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=10700&SPID=4251&SPSID=46653
and links to audio can be found here: http://www.unipanthers.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=26200&SPID=90713&SPSID=627864
We can’t wait to see the results of these and all of the
important matches this weekend!
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