Volleyball | 9/8/2021 12:16:00 PM

DENTON, Texas - Six Division II volleyball teams will converge upon Kitty Magee Arena this week as the Texas Woman's University volleyball team will host the Denton Volleyfest this Thursday, September 9 through Saturday, September 11. The Pioneers will host Florida Tech, Ouachita Baptist, Southwest Baptist, Southwestern Oklahoma, and UT Permian Basin in the three-day event. 

FOLLOW IT LIVE

• Live video and statistics will be available at www.twuathletics.com. Video is streamed through the Lone Star Conference Digital Network, with packages available for as little as $10/day. Tickets are available at www.twuathletics.com/tickets. 

TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

• For up-to-the minute updates on the Denton Volleyfest, visit our Tournament Central page HERE.

MEET THE TEAMS

• TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY (2-2) - The Pioneers enter the weekend with a 2-2 record after spending the past weekend at the Drury Invitational, where the Pioneers picked up wins over LeMoyne-Owen and Missouri Southern. Kaia Saylor paced the offense with 2.50 kills per set, while Elizabeth Ugbaja and Tylar Roberson both averaged 2.07 kills per set. The duo of Lizzy Reed and Taylor Skryzcki handled setting duties with Reed averaging 5.0 assists per set and Skrzycki adding 4.5. Defensively, Sydney Stroh anchored the back line averaging 3.92 digs per set while Kiya Yeoman's 0.83 blocks per set lead the team in the early going. 
• FLORIDA TECH (0-4) - The Panthers enter this weekend's event winless after dropping four matches at the Union Invitational in Jackson, Tennessee. The Panthers played a close contest with Truman State, falling 3-2 and dropping a 15-13 decision in the decisive set. Katie Erdman's 3.53 kills per set lead FIT, while Anna Harry has dished out a team-best 5.0 assists per set. Defensively, Erin Arbour has contribued 3.00 digs per set and Lilian Muszynski has a team-high 0.6 blocks per set. 
• OUACHITA BAPTIST (0-3) - The Tigers come in winless after an 0-3 weekend at the Alabama-Huntsville tournament. Brooke Jones' 2.56 kills per set lead the way for OBU, with Rileigh Fielder and Emily Low right behind her with 2.30 and 2.10 kills per set, respectively - Low's total coming on the strength of a .321 hitting percentage. The tandem of Kellen Church (5.10 assists per set) and Tami Feyiga (4.50 assists per set) have handled setting duties, while Lexie Castillow's 7.30 digs per set has anchored the back line. Karli Ferguson has been a prolific blocker in the early going averaging 1.10 blocks per set. 
• SOUTHWEST BAPTIST (4-0) - The undefeated Bearcats won a pair of 3-0 matches over Christian Brothers and Kentucky Wesleyan and a pair of 3-2 decisions over Southern Arkansas and University of Charleston at last weekend's CBU Invitational. Ashley Lasher is SBU's leading offensive player averaging 3.00 kills per set. Loran Pritchett has handled primary setter duties, averaging 7.13 assists per set. Defensively, the trio of Aleena Peterson (2.21), Paityn Kramer (2.21) and Lauren Compton (2.00) lead the way in digs per set, while Sydney Ernsbarger has been a force at the net with 1.53 blocks per set.
• SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA (0-4) - The Bulldogs were winless last weekend against LSC competition at the West Texas A&M Lady Buff Classic, dropping a trio of 3-1 decisions to UT Permian Basin, UAFS, West Texas A&M, and falling 3-0 to St. Edward's. Lacy Mott's 2.69 kills per set and Chezney Nielsen's 2.64 kills per set lead SWOSU, while Allie Hoang has been the Bulldogs' primary setter averaging 9.47 assists per set. Sophia DeSantiago and Hoang have steadied the back line with 3.53 and 3.20 digs per set, respectively, while Markenzie Benoit's 1.13 blocks per set have created difficulties for opposing offenses. 
• UT PERMIAN BASIN (2-2) - The Falcons turned a 2-2 performance at the Lady Buff Classic, picking up wins over Southwestern Oklahoma and Fort Lewis. Aquincia Strambler's 4.36 kills per set leads the way, while Analise Lucio has averaged 8.40 assists per set. Daylee Doggett's 3.93 digs per set has anchored the back line, while Taurie Magee's 1.20 blocks per set are tops for UTPB's defense.