The UMSL Tritons women’s volleyball team are 15-0 and ranked No. 4 in the country. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
Terrance Williams
Staff Writer
NORMANDY, MO — The red hot and straight up rolling University of Missouri-St. Louis women’s volleyball team will be on the road for a pair of Great Lakes Valley Conference matches this weekend, when it travels to Indiana and Illinois to play the University of Indianapolis and Lewis University on Friday and Saturday.
The Tritons are 15-0 on the season and once again ranked No. 4 in the latest AVCA/Taraflex national Top 25 poll. And they will look to keep the win streak going, which is still the best ever to start a season in school history, with matches against the Greyhounds and Flyers.
Last Time Out – UMSL swept McKendree (25-18, 25-20, 25-16) this past Saturday, in a match at the Mark Twain Building. Delaney Humm and Hailey Flowers led the way offensively with 11 and 10 kills respectively, while Flowers added five blocks. Kylie Adams finished with 21 digs in the contest.
On the Road Again – Friday’s contest begins a stretch that sees UMSL play seven of its nine matches in the month of October away from home. The Tritons will compete next weekend at the Midwest Region Crossover in Hammond, Ind., and then end the month with a road trip to face GLVC newcomer Upper Iowa and longtime foe Truman State.
Statistical Rankings – The Tritons rank second in the country in kills per set with 14.94 and fourth in assists per set at 13.86 trailing only Concordia-St. Paul in those categories. UMSL is also eighth in Division II in hitting percentage at 0.280. The Tritons lead the GLVC in all three of those categories along with aces per set (2.20) and opponent hitting percentage at 0.160.
Caitlin Bishop is second in the country in assists per set with 12.02 and 19th in total assists. Lexie Rang is eighth nationally in points per set at 5.10 per set and 14th in kills per set with 4.34. Mya Elliott is 15th in the country in hitting percentage at 0.393 and Adams is 28th in the country in digs per set with 5.12 per set.
AVCA Polls – UMSL remained fourth in this AVCA/Taraflex Coaches Poll as the top five teams remained the same from last week. The Tritons are one of four GLVC teams recognized in this week’s poll. Lewis moved up three spots to No. 16, Rockhurst dropped two spots to No. 25 and Quincy continues to receive votes.
About UIndy – The Greyhounds enter Friday night’s match with a record of 13-3, 3-1 GLVC. They went 1-1 last weekend on their visit to Kansas City losing to then No. 23 Rockhurst in five sets on Friday evening and defeated William Jewell in four sets on Saturday afternoon.
Middle hitter Hannah Sabotin leads Division II in hitting percentage at 0.484 and is averaging 2.86 kills per set. Sophia Parlanti leads the Hounds with 3.49 kills per set while Grace Hegwood and Maddie Berger are averaging 2.63 and 2.50 k/set respectively.
Claire Morris is the quarterback of the offense handing out 11.02 assists per set while on the defensive side Sabotin and Elizabeth Eads led the way with 49 and 39 total blocks apiece and Ellie Spang leads the way on the back line with 4.35 digs per set.
About Lewis – The Flyers enter Friday night’s match against McKendree with a record of 12-4, 4-0 GLVC and have won four straight. Lewis traveled to Kansas City last weekend defeating both William Jewell and Rockhurst in four sets.
Lauren Stenman was named the GLVC’s Setter of the Week after averaging 12.88 assists per set in the two victories last weekend. Megan Schlechte is the top hitter for the Flyers averaging 3.73 kills per set while Julianna Van Loo is averaging 3.19 per set.
Stenman is dishing out an average of 10.4 assists per set. Despite missing the first eight matches of the season Bella Ray leads the team with 1.19 blocks per set while Ally Hickey leads the way on the back line at 4.42 digs per set.
Series History – Friday’s contest is the 36th meeting all-time between the Tritons and Greyhounds with UMSL holding a 19-16 advantage in the series and have won the last seven contests. Last season, the Tritons defeated UIndy in four sets in Indianapolis.
Saturday’s contest is the 42nd meeting all-time between UMSL and Lewis with the Flyers holding a 32-9 lead in the series but the Tritons have won the past two meetings. Last season, UMSL defeated the Flyers 3-1 in the regular season finale at the Mark Twain Building.
Up Next – The Tritons will head to Hammond, Ind., next weekend to take part in the Midwest Region Crossover. Opponents and match times will be announced following the matches this weekend.
UMSL sports information contributed to this story.
2023 UMSL Tritons Women’s Volleyball Schedule
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 6, 2023 (Friday) | 5 p.m. | Away | Indianapolis | Indianapolis, Ind. / Ruth Lilly Fitness Center |
| October 7, 2023 (Saturday) | 3 p.m. | Away | #16 Lewis | Romeoville, Ill. / Neil Carey Arena |
| October 13, 2023 (Friday) | TBA | Neutral | Midwest Region Crossover | Hammond, Ind. / Hammond Sportsplex |
| October 14, 2023 (Saturday) | TBA | Neutral | Midwest Region Crossover | Hammond, Ind. / Hammond Sportsplex |
| October 20, 2023 (Friday) | 6 p.m. | Home | Missouri S&T | Mark Twain Building |
| October 21, 2023 (Saturday) | 3 p.m. | Home | Maryville | Mark Twain Building |
| October 27, 2023 (Friday) | 6 p.m. | Away | Upper Iowa | Fayette, Iowa / Dorman Memorial Gymnasium |
| October 28, 2023 (Saturday) | 3 p.m. | Away | Truman State | Kirksville, Mo. / Pershing Arena |
| November 3, 2023 (Friday) | 6 p.m. | Home | Illinois Springfield | Mark Twain Building |
| November 4, 2023 (Saturday) | 3 p.m. | Home | Quincy | Mark Twain Building |
| November 10, 2023 (Friday) | 6 p.m. | Away | Drury | Springfield, Mo. / O’Reilly Family Events Center |
| November 11, 2023 (Saturday) | 1 p.m. | Away | Southwest Baptist | Bolivar, Mo. / John Q. Hammons Court |
| November 17-19, 2023 | TBA | Neutral | GLVC Tournament | Williamsville, Ill./Williamsville High School Fieldhouse |