THIS WEEK'S MATCHES: The Blue Devils (11-8, 1-3 WIAC) will be at 17th-ranked University of Northwestern (17-3, 7-0 UMAC), Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 7p.m., then will host UW-Oshkosh (12-9, 1-3 WIAC), Friday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. for Parents' Night.
ON-LINE: All home Blue Devil matches are available in a live video stream.
2021 UW-STOUT BLUE DEVILS: Sidney Hoverman is third in the WIAC in kills, averaging 3.64 kills over 70 sets played. Out of 19 matches, Hoverman has had 16 matches in double digit kills. Lexie Nelson is eighth in the league in hitting percentage (.262) and is second in the league in assists (8.18). She trails only Hoverman and Jessica Barr (2.00 k/s) in kills with 1.63. In the defensive end, Barr leads stout with 46.0 blocks, with Nelson (34.0 BLK) and Macayla Thompson behind her. Thompson has six solo blocks on the season.
BLUE DEVILS LAST TIME OUT: The Blue Devils dropped a 3-0 conference contest at UW-River Falls, Oct. 6, then came back on Oct.8 to down Rockford University, 3-0, and St. Norbert College, 3-2, in DePere.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN: The 16th-ranked Eagles are led by freshman Abby Glanzer, who is fourth in the nation with 4.67 kills per set. Senior Sydney Schwitters is fifth in the nation for assists per set with 10.84. Kiera Brown and Caitlyn Pruis lead defensively each with seven solo blocks. Brown has 1.06 blocks per set which earns her a place in the top 20 in the nation.
EAGLES LAST TIME OUT: The No. 16 nationally ranked University of Northwestern volleyball team stayed perfect in conference play with a sweep of the Northland Lumberjills on the road. With the 3-0 win, the Eagles extended their sweep streak in the conference to seven, improving to 7-0 in UMAC matches and going 21-0 in sets played against conference opponents.
LAST TIME THEY MET: UW-Stout bounced back from a one-sided first set loss to take the second game, but 25th ranked University of Northwestern took control in sets three and four and downed the Blue Devils, 3-1, Wednesday at Erichsen Center. |
THE SERIES: Since the 2000 season, Stout leads the University of Northwestern 6-3, but the Eagles have won the last three matches.
UW-OSHKOSH: The Titans are led by two strong hitters, Carissa Sundholm (2.66 k/s) and Riley Kindt (2.65 k/s). Amelia Hust is third in the WIAC with 4.67 digs per set. Kindt along with Kate Nottolli are the defensive anchors for UW-Oshkosh as they each have 17 solo blocks, tying them for second in the WIAC.
TITANS LAST TIME OUT: Carissa Sundholm had a team-leading 26 kills on the day, including 15 during the first contest, as the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team split a pair of matches against Illinois institutions Friday (Oct. 8) in Wheaton, Ill. UW-Oshkosh (12-9) outlasted Elmhurst University, 3-2, before suffering a 3-1 setback to host Wheaton College. The Titans, who improved to 4-3 this season in five-set matches, downed Elmhurst University in set scores of 20-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-15, 15-13. Wheaton College then defeated UW-Oshkosh in set scores of 25-20, 21-25, 25-15, 25-17.
LAST TIME THEY MET: UW-Stout's Lexie Nelson put up a triple double, but it was UW-Oshkosh that recorded the 3 that ultimately counted, the 3 in the win column, as the Titans defeated the Blue Devils 3-1 Oct. 18, 2019, at the Kolf Sports Center.
THE SERIES: Since the 2000 season, UW-Oshkosh leads the series 20-7. Yet, Stout has split the last two matches 1-1.
CONFERENCE & NATIONAL POLLS: The Blue Devils were picked to finish seventh in the WIAC, according to a preseason poll by conference coaches and sports information directors.
UW-STOUT COACH MANDY TRAUTMANN: Coach Mandy Trautmann (46-32) is in her fourth season as the head coach of the Blue Devils in 2021. In her first season as head coach in 2018, Trautmann led the Blue Devils to a home WIAC playoff berth, the first for the Blue Devils since 2004. Trautmann took over the Blue Devils after a season as an assistant coach. Prior to coming to Stout, Trautmann was the team captain for UW-Oshkosh in 2015, a season the Titans captured the WIAC regular season championship. Trautmann was a two-time first team all-WIAC selection in 2014 and 2015, and an honorable mention choice in 2013. She was named to the all-WIAC defensive team in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
BLUE DEVIL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: Week Five: Offensive athlete of the week: Sidney Hoverman, So, St. Croix Falls, Wis.; Defensive player of the week: Staci Meyer, Jr, Rice, Minn. (Sauk Rapids-Rice) Week Four: Offensive athlete of the week: Lexie Nelson, Sr, St. Michael, Minn. (St. Michael-Albertville); Week Three: Offensive player of the week: Sidney Hoverman, So, St. Croix Falls, Wis. Defensive player of the week: Staci Meyer, Jr, Rice, Minn. (Sauk Rapids-Rice) Week Two: Offensive athlete of the week: Lexie Nelson, Sr St. Michael, Minn. (St. Michael-Albertville); Week One: Offensive athlete of the week: Lexie Nelson, Sr St. Michael, Minn. (St. Michael-Albertville); Defensive athlete of the week: Terrah Moshier, So, Oakdale, Minn. (Tartan).
AWARDS: 2021: Lexie Nelson and Sidney Hoverman were selected to the all-tournament team at the UW-Oshkosh Polito's Invitational...Lexie Nelson and Jessica Barr were selected to the all-tournament team at the Grinnell College/Central College Invitational.
DOWN THE ROAD: Stout will close the home portion of the schedule when they host UW-Eau Claire, Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. on Senior Night, then will play a pair of non-conference games at Minnesota-Morris, Saturday, Oct. 23. Stout will play Martin Luther College at 2 p.m. and Morris at 4 p.m.
