Drake drops three straight matches to conclude non-conference schedule
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The Drake volleyball team wrapped up its non-conference schedule this weekend at the Inn Towner Invitational hosted by the University of Wisconsin -Madison. The Bulldogs (0-9) are still seeking their first win of the season after falling to Wisconsin, Wisconsin-Milwaukee and North Dakota State.
The Badgers took down the Bulldogs in straight sets (25-17, 25-17 and 25-19) on Friday in the Invitational opener. The loss to Wisconsin puts the Bulldog’s all-time record against the University of Wisconsin at 3-6.
Senior Bentley Mancini led the team with 9 kills while sophomore Erin Roggenburg tallied eight assists and five digs.
“We were down tonight but we once again pushed back and continued to run our offense and we blocked and dug with them,” said head coach Tony Sunga in a Drake athletics press release. “We have been competitive all the (way) up til the 17-18 point in each of our sets this season, including tonight but we have to find a way to push through and win some.”
After the loss to Wisconsin, the Bulldogs took on the Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers, who owned an all-time record of 4-3 against the Bulldogs. Last season, the Panthers defeated Drake 3-1 at the Sheraton West Des Moines Invitational.
Drake registered its second straight-set loss of the weekend after falling 25-20, 25-19 and 25-22. Mancini again lit up the scoreboard with 10 kills from her outside hitter position bringing her kill count to 49 over the last five games.
Sophomore Amanda Platte tallied five kills, while redshirt junior Sarah Madden registered 15 digs.
On Sept. 14 the Bulldogs are slated to take on their first Missouri Valley Conference opponent, Wichita State, in their first match of the season at the Knapp Center. The first 100 fans at the door will receive a free T-shirt from the team.
The Bulldogs were selected to finish 10th in the MVC 2012 pre-season poll, while Northern Iowa won all 10 first place votes and was picked to finish first.
Drake lost both match-ups against Wichita State (9-3) last season.
North Dakota State dealt Drake a 3-1 loss in the Bulldogs’ final match at the Inn Towner Invitational on Saturday.
The Bison opened play with a statement, winning the first set, 25-11.
Drake answered to take the second set, 30-28.
North Dakota State narrowly claimed the third and fourth sets, 25-19 and 25-20, sealing Drake’s ninth straight defeat.
