SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The University of Illinois Springfield volleyball team will travel to St. Charles, Missouri this weekend to play in a nine-team tournament at Lindenwood University. Illinois Springfield will open up with Missouri Western before closing Friday with West Texas A&M. UIS will then conclude the tournament with host Lindenwood and #9 Augustana University (SD).
SETTING THE SCENE
The Prairie Stars (4-0) are coming off the best start in program history in the Division II era, sweeping all four opponents at the Capital Classic last weekend. UIS is one of three undefeated teams in the GLVC, joining #3 Lewis University and Bellarmine, both of which are 4-0.
The four opponents UIS will face this weekend have a combined record of 13-4, including two undefeated marks from West Texas and Lindenwood.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
UIS will open up on Friday morning with the first game of the tournament, facing off against Missouri Western State (1-3) at 9:00 AM. They will have a long break, playing again in the last match of the day against West Texas A&M (4-0) at 7:00 PM.
On Saturday, UIS and Lindenwood (4-0) will face off in what will be looked at as a Capital Classic Championship match of sort --- as both teams went undefeated last weekend --- with that match beginning at 11:30 AM. The Prairie Stars will then conclude the tournament with #9 Augustana University (SD) (4-1) at 4:30 PM.
CONFERENCE RANKINGS
With all 15 teams having played four matches each, the Prairie Stars lead the conference in hitting percentage (.340), opponent hitting percentage (.025), kills per set (14.50), and aces per set (2.33).
Individually, Alyssa Hasler --- coming off her MVP performance at the Capital Classic --- ranks second in attack percentage (.493) and fourth in kills per set (3.33), totaling 40 on the season.
Alli Splitt continues her dominance on the attack, totaling 25 kills and five errors for a .476 attack percentage while Taylor Bauer attacked at a .421 clip over the first weekend, committing just one error on 57 total attacks.
Brianna Bush currently leads the conference in aces, totaling nine in the first weekend. Kenzie Hendon added eight aces, putting her second in total aces --- both of whom are freshman.
A LOOK AT THE COMPETITION
Missouri Western State (1-3)
· Played in Ferris State Invitational
· Beat Davenport 3-0 for lone win of the weekend
· Fell to #14 Ferris State in straight sets
· Team attack percentage is .114
West Texas A&M (4-0)
· Played in Britkare Lady Buff Classic
· Won 12-of-13 sets
· Team attack percentage is .311
· Erin Clark leads with 52 kills
Lindenwood (4-0)
· Played in Capital Classic
· Won 12-of-13 sets, dropping one set to Concord University
· Played same four opponents as UIS
· Team attack percentage is .296
#9 Augustana (SD) (4-1)
· Played in Oredigger Classic
· Beat #15 CSU San Bernardino in straight sets in season opener
· Have swept their four wins on the season
· Team attack percentage is .235
MEDIA CENTRAL
With two courts being played on at one time, live stats will be a game time decision depending on availability from Lindenwood staff. Please check uisprairiestars.com prior to the match to see if live stats are available.
WHAT'S UP NEXT
Upon the conclusion of the tournament, the Prairie Stars will turn their attention to #3 Lewis University and the beginning of GLVC play. UIS will take on #3 Lewis on Thursday before hosting Quincy University on Saturday in the first weekend of conference play.
