DRURY VOLLEYBALL
Washburn Invitational
Fri., Sept. 1 & 2, 2017 | Lee Arena | Washburn Univ. | Topeka, KS.
 
Drury Schedule at Washburn
Fri., Sept. 1- Emporia St., 1 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 1- Western St., 5 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 2- East Central, 1:30 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 2- Arkansas Tech, 5:30 p.m.
 
Live Coverage
Live Stats
 
Drury volleyball begins season at Washburn Invitational
The Drury Panthers volleyball team opens the 2017 season at the Washburn Invitational on Friday and Saturday. Drury starts with Emporia State at 1 p.m. on Friday, then takes on Western State Colorado at 5 p.m. On Saturday, the Panthers play East Central at 1:30 p.m. and wrap up the event against Arkansas Tech at 5:30 p.m.
 
Jenifer Bahner starts her fourth season as Drury's head coach. This year's squad will look to replace All-GLVC and All-Region selection Brooke Antenen as well as valuable DS/L McKenna Poynter. Eight new additions to the Panthers roster will make their Drury or collegiate debuts this weekend but Bahner believes the work accomplished last spring will help her squad be ready for this weekend.
 
"I give a lot of credit to those 11 kids that worked through last spring," said Bahner. "They worked really hard, and not just on their physical skills, but in building team chemistry and the dynamic of what we wanted our program to be about. That group was committed to carrying that into this fall and setting an example. Since I've been here, this is the most connected group of 17 female student-athletes I've seen."
 
While there will be new faces on Drury's roster, several bring experience with them. Paige Perry, a two-time all-state selection at Ozark, saw playing time for Missouri State last season. Taylor Covington played two junior college seasons at Mineral Area CC and was a First Team All-Region pick. Bree Schmidt played two years for junior college power Johnson County CC and was a part of two top 10 national finishes for that program. Those players, in addition to several freshmen, will add needed depth.
 
"In the past, we've had to rely on one or two people at a particular position," noted Bahner. "This year, we feel like we have four or five players that can step in at a given position. We're going to have a good mix of freshmen, transfers, and returners all on the court."
 
Starting the season in the Washburn Invitational will also pose a challenge for the Panthers as the event is usually stocked with programs vying for a conference or regional title. 
 
"We're going to be playing competitive and strong teams," Bahner added. "And they're a lot like us in they're trying to get to the top of their conference and their region. We've had a great preseason so far but we need to see how we actually match-up and who is going to continually step up and lead our program."
 
Drury continues in tournament play for their next event. The Panthers will be in Bolivar for the Southwest Baptist tournament on Sept. 8 and 9.
 
QUICK FACTS 
Last Year's Records
Drury: 20-12
Emporia St.: 15-18
Western St.: 14-12
East Central: 7-23
Arkansas Tech: 21-12
 
Stat Leaders
Drury (in 2016): Bentley Mara (2.4 K/Set), Emmalee Chrest (2.14 Dig/Set), Kendra Sater (4.58 A/Set, 2.08 Dig/Set)
 
Head Coaches
Drury: Jenifer Bahner (4^th year, 57-34)
Emporia State: Bing Xu (13^th year, 252-134)
Western State Colorado: Keven John (4^th year, 29-49)
East Central: Melissa Anderson (2^nd year, 7-23)
Arkansas Tech: Kristy Bayer (14^th year, 329-135)

Last Meeting
Drury 3 Emporia St. 0,  Sept. 2, 2016
East Central 3 Drury 0, Sept. 8, 2012
Arkansas Tech 3 Drury 2, Sept. 9, 2016
 
All-time series 
Drury vs. Emporia St. 4-9
Drury vs. Western State Colorado, first meeting
Drury vs. East Central 0-1
Drury vs. Arkansas Tech 9-8
 
Next
Southwest Baptist Tournament – Sept. 8-9 – Bolivar, Mo
 
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