MATCH PREVIEW
MWSU Volleyball at Washburn Invitational – Topeka, Kansas
Sept. 2, 11 a.m. – MWSU vs. University of Mary | Live Stats
Sept. 2, 4 p.m. – MWSU vs. Drury | Live Stats
Sept. 3, 9:30 a.m. – MWSU vs. Quincy | Live Stats
Sept. 3, 1:30 p.m.  – MWSU vs. Midwestern State | Live Stats
 
ST. JOSEPH - The Missouri Western Volleyball team opens the 2016 season off this weekend at the Washburn Invitational in Topeka, Kansas.  The Griffons are slated to play four games in the two-day tournament, starting with the University of Mary at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 2.  The afternoon game for the Griffons will be at 4 p.m. against Drury University. 

Saturday, Sept. 3, action starts at 9:30 a.m. with Missouri Western squaring off against Quincy University, followed by its final game at 1:30 p.m. versus Midwestern State.  The Griffons are making their 4^th appearance in the Washburn Invitational, first since 2012. Missouri Western went 3-1 in their previous appearance with a 5-7 overall record.

Scouting the Griffons of Missouri Western State University
-Missouri Western State University was selected 5^th in the preseason MIAA polls following last year's 21-10 record and returns four starters along with 11 letter winners.
-The Griffons bring back three returnees in Rachel Friedrichs, Kayla Ruff and Shellby Taylor who each earned All-MIAA honors in 2015.  Missouri Western was led with 98 blocks by Friedrichs, along with Ruff's 544 digs.  Shellby Taylor and Rachel Friedrichs combined for 486 kills on the 2015 season, which was 34% of the team's total.
-Missouri Western Head Coach Marian Carbin enters her 4^th season with a 59-30 overall record.  She has led the Griffons to their first back-to-back 20-win seasons since 1997-1998.

Scouting the Marauders of University of Mary
-University of Mary was selected 12^th in the preseason polls for the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and returns five starters from last year's team that went 13-16,0-2 against MIAA teams.
-The Marauders will be led by Lauren Russell, who finished with a team high 307.5 points and 276 kills in the 2015 season.  Alex Brown will also be back for U of Mary; Brown led last season's team with 22 aces.

Scouting the Panthers of Drury University
-Drury University was tabbed 4^th in the West Division of Great Lakes Valley Conference Preseason poll. The Panthers finished last year at 21-11, their highest winningest percentage since becoming a NCAA Division II member.
-Drury will return three starters from last year's team led by Brooke Antenten and Tori Foster.  Antenten averaged 3.42 kills per set, while Foster averaged 1.68 kills and 0.92 blocks last season.

Scouting the Hawks of Quincy University
-Quincy University was picked 6^th in the Great Lakes Valley Conference's West Division Preseason poll after going 13-18 in 2015.  This will be the first-ever appearance for Quincy in the Washburn Invitational, however they have played four MIAA teams in the past three years.
-Four of the top-5 hitters are back for the Hawks this season, including Emily Lindemulder. Lindemulder was the team leader with 231 kills and 19 solo blocks.  Also returning is Jessica Licurgo, who had 35 service aces to go with her team leading 112 blocks.

Scouting the Mustangs of Midwestern State University
-Midwestern State University was picked 10^th in the Lone Star Conference's Preseason poll.  The last time the Mustangs faced a MIAA opponent was 2011.
-The Mustangs will have four returning starters from last year's team that finished 6-26 and will be led by All-Lone Star Conference honorable mention selections Kiley Beaver and Meghan Bettis.  Beaver and Bettis finished as the top two in overall points; with Beaver being the team leader in four of the Mustangs' eight recorded statistical categories.