Between the conclusion of football season and excitement about the new basketball facility, it’s possible that Wayne State volleyball may have gone under the radar. However, with the team’s strong play of late, that may not be the case for much longer.
The Warriors enter the final week of the regular season with a 19-5 record (11-2 GLIAC), and winners of six matches in a row after a five-set victory over Saginaw Valley State on Nov. 5. But what makes the team’s stretch stand out are the notable program accomplishments they have in front of them.
After clinching a home match in the conference tournament for the first time since 2010, WSU is within striking distance of a North Division title, trailing Michigan Tech—who Wayne State faces this week— by one game, along with possibly notching a share of the regular-season title. WSU is tied for second with the surging Ferris State Bulldogs, who have the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The Warriors also have a chance at securing the program’s first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance since 1994. In the first portion of regional rankings released last week, WSU placed seventh, which would net them a spot in the tournament if they maintain that spot(or exceed it) going forward.
One of the team’s best players this season has been redshirt senior Taylor Wagner, who has notched 212 kills and added 231 assists. Other players who have helped pace the Warriors are junior Maddy Benoit leads the team with 331 digs, senior Kamryn Duffield has a team-high 912 assists, redshirt junior Halle Shell leads the team with 83 blocks and redshirt senior co-captain Julia Malewicz has 31 service aces. Another player who has helped Wayne State win tough matches on the road has been sophomore Alexa Withun, who has added 169 kills and has helped bolster WSU’s team depth.
WSU returns to the Matthaei Volleyball Complex Friday to face Northern Michigan at 7pm. The Warriors won the first meeting between the two teams last month in three sets (25-21, 25-19, 25-20) with Wagner notching a double-double with 13 kills and digs. After facing the Wildcats, WSU will host the Huskies in a big matchup Saturday at 2pm. MTU defeated the Warriors in the team’s first matchup Oct.1 with a four-set victory (25-12, 23-25, 26-24, 25-23).
After the conclusion of the regular season, Wayne State will open the 2021 GLIAC Tournament at home Nov.17 versus an opponent to be decided.
Across The Lodge 