Creighton poses challenge for winless Drake

Photo: Jeremy Leong

The volleyball team will travel to Omaha, Neb., to take on Nebraska-Omaha (5-7) and Creighton (10-1) this Friday and Saturday.

The Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks are on a two-game losing streak, with their most recent loss coming to North Dakota State in straight sets. The Mavericks’ best player so far this year has been redshirt freshman setter Bailey Baxter. Baxter leads the team in assists and contributes blocks and kills as well.

Following the Nebraska-Omaha match, the Bulldogs will take on conference rival Creighton on Saturday. Creighton’s only loss this season came at the hands of No. 21 Kansas State. Senior setter Megan Bober has been terrific, leading the team in assists. Bober is coming off a 44-assist game against Missouri State and a 43-assist game against Wichita State.

The Bulldogs (0-11) are in last place in the Missouri Valley Conference, two games behind Indiana State, and are looking to gain some momentum with a win.

On the season, Drake has scored on 376 kills but has surrendered 517. The team’s hitting percentage is at .107.

In 11 matches this season, the Bulldogs have only won three sets, with all of them coming in the second set. They have yet to force a fifth set.

Statistical leaders for Drake have been lighting up the scoreboard individually.

Senior Bentley Mancini leads the team with 86 kills. Sophomore Halli Meyer leads the team with 166 assists, and freshmen Rebecca Brown is not far behind with 134. Freshmen Cassie Effken leads the team in total blocks, with 43, and points, with 106.5. Redshirt junior Sarah Madden leads the team on defense with 175 digs.

With a low hitting percentage, and errors on blocks and kills, the Bulldogs are not favored this weekend. But it only takes one bump, set or spike for the team to get rolling and pull out a win.

Next week, the Bulldogs will take on Evansville on Friday and will then take on Southern Illinois on Saturday night.