Volleyball Preview: Blue Devils return strength up the middle

2016 UW-Stout Statistics | 2016 WIAC Statistics | 2017 WIAC Volleyball Preseason Poll

MENOMONIE (August 17, 2017) – With a strong core of returning players, add in a good freshman class and the UW-Stout volleyball team has a good outlook for 2017.
 
The Blue Devils return middle blockers Ashley Pratt (Sr, Lakeville, Minn) and Kennedy Strain (Jr, Elk River, Minn) to provide a strong backbone to the Stout offense and defense.
 
Pratt, a two-time All-WIAC honorable mention pick, has been at or towards the top of Stout's hitting game throughout her career, lasting year leading the team in both hitting percentage (.264) and kills (3.41). Pratt ranked seventh in the WIAC in hitting percentage and was fourth in kills. For her career, Pratt is averaging 2.75 kills per contest and hitting at a .268 clip. Pratt has played in 91 matches, tallying play in 335 sets.
 
Opposite Pratt, Strain earned All-WIAC honorable mention honors last season, is the team's top returning blocker and trailed only Pratt in kills. Strain averaged 0.83 blocks last year, ranking 10th in the league, but topped all league players with 28 solo blocks. Strain also led the conference as a freshman in solo blocks with 29, ranking seventh in total blocks (0.85) in her rookie year.
 
Laura Evans returns to the Blue Devils for her fourth season and was impressed with her team's improvements over the spring practice season.
 
"We had a strong spring season with improvement across every position, both mentally and physically," Evans said. "I believe the leadership of the team is going in the right direction."
 
Emily Bialka (Jr, Cottage Grove, Minn) contributed to the Blue Devils last season while moving to a different role. As a freshman, Bialka was one of the two setters in the Blue Devils' 6-2 offense. Bialka played a few sets last season as the setter, but was moved to the right side hitter position.
 
Bialka finished by averaging 1.0 kills per contest and still managed to contribute just short of one assist per contest (0.80). Bialka trailed only Strain in blocks per set, averaging 0.59.
 
Jessica DuVal (Sr, Logan, Iowa) secured the setter position last season as a freshman, and finished the season ranking sixth in the WIAC in assists, averaging 8.26 per contest. DuVal played in 105 sets last year, tops of any returning players. DuVal recorded 2.83 digs per set, the best of any returning players.
 
Carissa Hilgers (Jr, Minnetonka, Minn) returns to the back row where she played in 99 of 107 possible sets and averaging 1.79 digs per set. Hilgers served up 19 service aces, second on the team, and the best of any returners.
 
Following a good freshman season, Steph Cannon (So, Mora, Minn)was forced to sit out the entire 2016 season due to injury. But Cannon returns in 2017 as an outside hitter.  During her freshman year, Cannon averaged just shy of a kill per set, tallying 0.99 kills, seeing action in 118 of 141 sets. Cannon was second on the team in digs with 2.89 digs per set.
 
The Blue Devils also return middle hitters Kylie Hoff (So, Barron) and Sydney Bolz (So, Little Suamico), right side hitters Rayna Figueroa (So, Reedsville), Kate Quade (So, Milton) and Kara Simonson (So, Otsego, Minn), outside hitter Summer Garr (So, Rush City, Minn), setter Emily Makina (So, Orland Park, Ill) and defensive specialist Hallie Locher (Sr, Kronenwetter).
 
Locher saw extensive action in the back row, averaging 1.98 digs per set and served up 12 service aces.
 
The Blue Devils open the 2017 season Sept. 1 at the Sugar Loaf Classic hosted by St. Mary's University in Winona, Minn., where they will face Carthage College, St. Mary's University, the University of Chicago and Central College. Stout opens the home portion of their schedule when they host Bethel University, Friday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.