University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware Volleyball Team Heads To Midwest For Three Matches at Northwestern Wildcat Classic
9/13/2012 4:14:00 PM | Volleyball
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The University of Delaware volleyball team, coming off its first home win of the season Tuesday against Georgetown, will participate in the 31st Wildcat Classic hosted by Northwestern University this Friday and Saturday.
Delaware will open the tournament by taking on the host Wildcats on Friday at 1 p.m. Eastern at Welsh-Ryan Arena, and will then face Western Michigan at 6 p.m. Eastern later that day. The Blue Hens wrap up play at the invitational by facing Saint Louis on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern.
Delaware enters the Northwestern match with a 2-7 record following Tuesdays' 3-0 victory over the Hoyas. Senior outside hitter Alissa Alker leads the Blue Hens with 79 kills on the season, while junior outside hitter Katie Hank and senior middle hitter Chelsea Lawrence add to the offense with 55 and 48 kills, respectively.
Freshman outside hitter Katie Hillman is already emerging as one of the Hens biggest offensive threats with 57 kills on the year, which is good for second on the team. Libero Ariel Shonk is leading the team with 140 digs, while setter Mackenzie Olsen (at right) has 263 assists on the young season.
Northwestern enters the weekend with a perfect 8-0 record, and won all three matches at the Yale Tournament last weekend. Junior outside hitter Stephanie Holthus leads the Wildcats with 128 kills, and is third on the team with 102 digs. She is joined by senior setter Madalyn Shalter, who has recorded 363 assists this season and is the team's leader in digs with 107.
Western Michigan enters the weekend with a record of 5-4, and took one of three matches last weekend at the Carolina Volleyball Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C. Senior middle blocker Jessica Brown is the team's biggest offensive threat with 107 kills, while sophomore setter Terin Norris has handed out 387 assists. Defensively, junior libero Lena Oliver has 159 digs on the year for the Broncos.
Saint Louis carries a 5-5 record into the tournament, after winning one of three contests last weekend during its own Marcia E. Hamilton Classic. Sophomore outside hitter Lauren Baumet leads the Billikens with 94 kills, while setter Cassie Clarke has posted 347 assists on the season. In the backcourt, defensive specialist Junior Grace Bonoma has recorded a team-best 152 digs on the year.
Following this weekend's action, Delaware returns home to host Penn on Wednesday, September 19 at 7 p.m. at the Bob Carpenter Center.
