Aces to play UNI and Drake this weekend
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A road trip that spanned a total of three weekends wraps up as the Purple Aces volleyball team travels to UNI and Drake on Friday and Saturday.
Evansville played extremely well last week against one of the best the MVC has to offer – Southern Illinois. The Aces played neck and neck with the Salukis and got better as the match went along. Mildrelis Rodriguez notched 11 kills to lead the way while Cathy Schreiber finished the night with seven.
Rodriguez has notched at least eight kills in each of the last six matches for UE and leads the team with an average of 2.89 per set. Earlier this season against Jacksonville State, she set career marks with 20 kills in 61 attempts. She has been the Aces’ top offensive weapon in league play, registering at least 24 attempts in each league match.
Joselyn Coronel recorded her top offensive numbers last weekend against SIU. Seeing most of her time this season at the setter position, Coronel set career marks with 4 kills and 15 attempts. Prior to that, she had one of her best efforts in the 5-set match against the Sycamores. Coronel set her career mark with 12 digs while falling just two shy of her top tally with 23 assists. She has averaged 2.50 assists per set in her time as the setter.
Cedar Falls will be the first stop in the Aces’ trek through Iowa this weekend. Evansville will take on UNI on Friday evening as the Panthers start the weekend at 15-7 and 6-3 in the MVC. They are currently 4th in the Valley standings. Heather Hook continues to lead the MVC in assists with 11.34 per set.
On Saturday, Evansville heads to Des Moines for a match-up against Drake. The Bulldogs are fighting for a spot at the MVC Tournament and start the weekend in 7th place in the conference with an overall mark of 12-10 and a 3-5 league record. Michelle Thommi has established herself as one of the best defensive players in the conference, ranking third with 4.98 digs per game.
