SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The University of Illinois Springfield volleyball team will open up Great Lakes Valley Conference play this week, as they welcome in #3 Lewis University and Quincy University. This week will begin the new three-league system implemented by the GLVC.

SETTING THE SCENE
The Prairie Stars (5-3) opened the season going 4-0 at the Capital Classic, sweeping all four opponents. Last weekend, UIS went 1-3 at the Lindenwood Challenge, beating West Texas A&M 3-1 before taking a set off #9 Augustana in the finale, but ultimately falling in four sets. The 5-3 mark through eight games ties the best eight-game start for UIS in the Division II era.

#3 Lewis University (7-1) has played the toughest schedule to date, facing five teams ranked inside the top-38 in the nation. Their lone loss of the season came to #2 Concordia St. Paul in four sets. The Flyers won the GLVC last season with a 17-1 record in conference play and ultimately made it to the National Semifinals.

Quincy University (1-7) opened the season at the Ferris State Invitational, playing two ranked teams and falling in all four matches but took four total sets. Their lone win of the season came against Minnesota State-Moorhead in a sweep and fell in five-sets to McKendree University in the finale.

CONFERENCE REALIGNMENT
The GLVC regular season will feature a newly adopted three-division format with the familiar East and West Divisions, along with the additional Central Division. Post-season berths will be given to the three division winners and five additional wild card teams to round out the eight-team tournament.

Each team will play teams in their own division in a home-and-home and play each of the other teams in the conference just once.

UIS was chosen to finish fourth in the Central Division, while McKendree was the unanimous winner with Missouri-St. Louis picked to finish second, Quincy third, and Maryville fifth.

PRAIRIE STARS ATTACK
Through eight matches, the Prairie Stars rank among the GLVC's best in hitting percentage, attacking at a .256 clip, ranking fourth in the GLVC. Much of the same applies to other attacking categories, as UIS ranks third in assists per set (12.96), second in kills per set (14.46), and third in aces per set (1.77).

Individually, Alli Splitt and Alyssa Hasler rank 5^th and 7^th, respectively in attack percentage as Splitt holds a .342 mark and Hasler .340.

Freshmen Kenzie Hendon ranks 3^rd in the GLVC with 0.48 aces per set and 12 overall while Brianna Bush ranks 10^th in the same category with 0.38 per set and 10 overall.

Hasler sits 4^th in the league in blocks per set with 31 total and Ally Vicsik sits 8^th in the GLVC in digs with 4.42 per set and 106 on the season.

SCOUTING THE FLYERS
#3 Lewis (7-1) tops the league in attack percentage with a .286 mark, 17 points clear of the next best team, Rockhurst. With 67.5 total blocks, the Flyers are 4^th in the league in that category. Elizabeth Hyland leads the way with 105 kills while Aly Schneider is tied for the league lead with a .438 attack percentage. Abby Becker has totaled 298 assists this season, second in the GLVC.

SCOUTING THE HAWKS
Quincy (1-7) has played two ranked teams this year in Upper Iowa and Ferris State, dropping both matches, though taking a set off Ferris State. Their lone win came against Minnesota State-Moorhead in their own tournament. The Hawks have a .102 attack percentage, which ranks 13^th in the league, ahead of only Maryville and UW-Parkside. Quincy ranks 6^th in the league in total blocks with 66.5 on the season.

Bobby Eastman leads the way with 66 total kills while Taylor McMonagle is close behind with 64. Jessica Licurgo has 36.0 total blocks, tied for 2^nd in the GLVC.

HOW TO WATCH
Both games will be streamed on the GLVCSN and stats will be available here.

TICKETS
For the first time, there will be no admission into TRAC to come and watch UIS volleyball. All general admission is free.