<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:s="https://drurypanthers.com/services/xml_schema/story" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"><channel><title>Drury University Athletics</title><link>https://drurypanthers.com/rss.aspx?full=true</link><description>Latest news items for Drury University Athletics</description><atom:link href="https://drurypanthers.com/rss?full=true" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /><language>en-us</language><ttl>60</ttl><item><title>Men’s Soccer Opens NCAA Tournament Against Maryville</title><link>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/12/Mens-Soccer-Opens-NCAA-Tournament-Against-Maryville.aspx</link><guid>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/12/Mens-Soccer-Opens-NCAA-Tournament-Against-Maryville.aspx</guid><category>Men's Soccer</category><s:teaser><![CDATA[SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Drury men's soccer returns to the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament for the first time since 2016, facing Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) opponent Maryville in the opening round Friday at University Center, Mich.]]></s:teaser><description><![CDATA[<img alt="Up Next Maryville NCAA" src="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&image_path=/images/2026/11/10/GameDay_WEBTemp.jpg" /><br /><br /><table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="width:100%;">
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			<td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; height: 30px; background-color: rgb(186, 12, 47);"><font color="#ffffff"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b>(10) No. --/RV Drury Panthers (11-4-3, 9-2-3) vs. (7) No. --/RV Maryville Saints (11-4-4, 9-2-3)</b></span></font></td>
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			<td style="background-color: rgb(136, 139, 141); width: 173px;"><font color="#ffffff"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>vs. Maryville</b></span></font></td>
			<td style="background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); width: 1254px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Friday, Nov. 13</strong><strong> | 11:00 a.m. (CST)</strong></span></span></span></td>
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			<td style="background-color: rgb(136, 139, 141); width: 173px;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Site</b></span></span><strong><a href="https://quhawks.com/sports/2014/2/7/MSOC_0207144707.aspx"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color:#D3D3D3;"></span></span></span></a></strong></td>
			<td style="background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); width: 1254px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color:#000000;"></span><a href="https://svsucardinals.com/facilities/robert-c-braddock-field/3"><span style="color:#000000;">Robert C. Braddock Field</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> | </span></b><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><a href="https://www.svsu.edu/media/visit/docs/Campus%20Map.pdf"><span style="color:#000000;">Campus</span><span style="color:#000000;"> Map</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> | </span><a href="https://www.saginaw-mi.com"><span style="color:#000000;">Sa</span></a></b></span><b><a href="https://www.saginaw-mi.com"><span style="color:#000000;">ginaw, Mich.</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> | </span><a href="https://www.svsu.edu"><span style="color:#000000;">Saginaw Valley State University</span></a></b></span></td>
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			<td style="background-color: rgb(136, 139, 141); width: 173px;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Quick Links</b></span></span></td>
			<td style="background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); width: 1254px;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><a href="https://www.ncaa.com/game/6662507"><span style="color:#000000;">Live Stats</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> | </span><a href="https://www.ncaa.com/game/6662507"><span style="color:#000000;">Watch</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> | </span><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/documents/2026/11/10/MSOC_-_Game_Notes__11.10_.pdf"><span style="color:#000000;">Drury </span><span style="color:#000000;">Game Notes</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> | </span><a href="https://svsucardinals.com/sports/mens-soccer"><span style="color:#000000;">Saginaw Valley Athletics</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> | </span><a href="https://maryvillesaints.com/sports/mens-soccer"><span style="color:#000000;">Maryville Athletics</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"></span><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span></strong></td>
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			<td style="background-color: rgb(136, 139, 141); width: 173px;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Tickets</b></span></span></td>
			<td style="background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); width: 1254px;"><font color="#000000"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px;"></span></font><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px;"><b><a href="https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/53801106/ncaa-mens-soccer-1st-roundmaryville-university-of-saint-louis-vdrury-university-university-center-svsu-athletic-complex?gclid="><span style="color:#000000;">Online Tickets ONLY</span></a></b></span><font color="#000000"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px;"><b> | Adult ~ $17 | Children/Student/Senior ~ $11</b></span></font></td>
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			<td style="background-color: rgb(136, 139, 141); width: 173px;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Social Media</strong></span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:14px;"></span></span></td>
			<td style="background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); width: 1254px;"><strong><span style="color:#000000;">X: </span><a href="https://x.com/DUMensSoccer"><span style="color:#000000;">@</span><span style="color:#000000;">DUMensSoccer</span></a></strong><strong><span style="color:#000000;"> | Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/drurymenssoccer/"><span style="color:#000000;">@drurymenssoccer</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> | Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DruryMensSoccer"><span style="color:#000000;">@DruryMensSoccer</span></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/drurywbb"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></a></strong></td>
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<br />
<strong>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. –</strong> Drury men's soccer returns to the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament for the first time since 2016, facing Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) opponent Maryville in the opening round Friday at University Center, Mich.<br />
 <br />
The 10th-seeded Panthers (11-4-3) earned an at-large bid to the national tournament after finishing third in the GLVC regular-season standings with a 9-2-3 conference record. Seventh-seeded Maryville (11-4-4) also received an at-large bid after finishing second in the conference standings. Both teams enter Friday's matchup following quarterfinal exits in the GLVC Tournament.<br />
 <br />
Drury is making its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, previously qualifying in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2016. The Panthers' deepest postseason runs came in 2009 and 2016, when they advanced to the Round of 16. The winner of Friday's matchup will advance to face second-seeded No. 15 Saginaw Valley State on Sunday, Nov. 15.<br />
 <br />
<strong>SERIES HISTORY</strong>

<ul>
	<li>Drury leads the all-time series against Maryville, 9-7-2.</li>
	<li>The Panthers are 2-2-1 in the last five meetings.</li>
	<li>Drury is unbeaten in its last two meetings with the Saints.</li>
	<li>The two sides played to a 2-2 draw in Springfield on Oct. 17. Caua Nascimento and Jorge Dorta scored for the Panthers before Maryville rallied with two unanswered goals, including the equalizer in the 88th minute.</li>
</ul>
 <br />
<strong>ABOUT DRURY</strong>

<ul>
	<li>Drury enters Friday with an 11-4-3 overall record and a 9-2-3 mark in GLVC play.</li>
	<li>The Panthers' 11 overall victories and nine conference wins are the most under head coach Ben Taylor.</li>
	<li>Drury has outscored opponents 31-15 this season, recording eight shutouts and holding opponents to one goal or fewer in 15 matches.</li>
	<li>Steen Voller leads Drury with 13 points on four goals and five assists.</li>
	<li>David Huang and Caua Nascimento lead the Panthers with five goals each, while Huang has recorded a team-high three game-winning goals.</li>
	<li>Senior goalkeeper Ben Barnett has recorded eight shutouts, the third-most in a single season in program history.</li>
	<li>Six Panthers earned All-GLVC honors, including five second-team selections and one third-team selection.</li>
</ul>
 <br />
<strong>ABOUT MARYVILLE</strong>

<ul>
	<li>Maryville enters the NCAA Tournament with an 11-4-4 overall record and a 9-2-3 mark in conference play.</li>
	<li>Jose Vilela leads Maryville with 13 points on six goals and one assist.</li>
	<li>Omar Cilic and Petter Hanssen follow with 10 points each on five goals.</li>
	<li>Goalkeeper Asgrimur Vidisson has recorded 66 saves, a .795 save percentage and five shutouts.</li>
	<li>Maryville earned four All-GLVC selections, highlighted by first-team honoree Julian Stoecker and GLVC Defensive Player of the Year Jan Fulnek.</li>
	<li>The Saints are making their seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, having reached the national quarterfinals three times since 2019.</li>
</ul>
 <br />
<strong>UNITED SOCCER COACHES NCAA DIVISION II MEN'S RANKINGS</strong>

<ul>
	<li>Both Drury and Maryville are receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches national poll, released Nov. 10.</li>
	<li>Drury spent seven consecutive weeks in the national Top 25, reaching as high as No. 8 on Oct. 13, its highest ranking since 2013.</li>
</ul>
 <br />
<strong>STORYLINES</strong>

<ul>
	<li>Drury returns to the NCAA Tournament after a 10-year absence, earning its first national tournament berth under Ben Taylor.</li>
	<li>The Panthers faced a similar postseason path in 2016, falling in the GLVC quarterfinals before advancing to the NCAA Round of 16 with victories over Saginaw Valley State and Tiffin.</li>
	<li>Drury's 11 wins are its most since the 2016 season, when the Panthers finished 13-4-4.</li>
	<li>The Panthers recorded four consecutive shutouts from Oct. 3-14, their longest shutout streak since 2016.</li>
	<li>Drury finished No. 43 nationally and No. 10 in Super Region 3 in the NCAA National Power Index (NPI) rankings.</li>
	<li>Drury is 7-1-0 on the road this season, and is 4-0-0 when playing outside of Missouri.</li>
</ul>
 <br />
<strong>LOOKING AHEAD</strong><br />
The winner of Friday's first-round matchup will face second-seeded Saginaw Valley State (9-1-7) in the second round Sunday, Nov. 15. The Cardinals received a first-round bye after earning the No. 2 seed in Super Region 3.<br />
<br />
<strong>FOLLOW THE PANTHERS</strong><br />
For all the latest information on Drury athletics, please visit <a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-soccer"><span style="color:#000000;">drurypanthers.com</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Panthers on </span><a href="https://x.com/DUMensSoccer"><span style="color:#000000;">X</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/drurymenssoccer/"><span style="color:#000000;">Instagram</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, and </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DruryMensSoccer"><span style="color:#000000;">Facebook</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">.</span><br />
<br />
 
<div style="text-align: center;"> <em>#OneDrury</em></div>]]></description><media:thumbnail url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_system&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/10/GameDay_WEBTemp.jpg" /><media:content url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/10/GameDay_WEBTemp.jpg"><media:title>Up Next Maryville NCAA</media:title></media:content><enclosure url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/10/GameDay_WEBTemp.jpg" length="1" type="image/jpg" /><pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2026 09:00:00 CST</pubDate><s:sport_id>7</s:sport_id><s:story_id>16862</s:story_id></item><item><title>Bray, Hilton Headline Volleyball's List of All-GLVC Honorees</title><link>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/11/bray-hilton-headline-volleyballs-list-of-all-glvc-honoreesB.aspx</link><guid>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/11/bray-hilton-headline-volleyballs-list-of-all-glvc-honoreesB.aspx</guid><category>Volleyball</category><s:teaser><![CDATA[Drury volleyball junior Jacy Bray and sophomore Skylar Hilton were tabbed for First-Team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference recognition Wednesday, headlining a list of four Panthers selected for league postseason honors by the GLVC head coaches.]]></s:teaser><description><![CDATA[<img alt="All-GLVC" src="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&image_path=/images/2026/11/11/All-GLVC.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>WILLIAMSVILLE, Ill. – </strong>Drury volleyball junior <strong>Jacy Bray</strong> and sophomore <strong>Skylar Hilton</strong> were tabbed for First-Team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference recognition Wednesday, headlining a list of four Panthers selected for league postseason honors by the GLVC head coaches. <span style="color:#000000;">Additionally, junior <strong>Abby Renshaw</strong> was picked as a Second-Team All-GLVC honoree, while sophomore <strong>Gracie Kimrey </strong>was chosen as DU's Sportsmanship Team member.</span><br />
<br />
Bray and Hilton were named to the GLVC's top squad after turning in breakout 2026 campaigns that saw the duo rank among the conference's individual statistical leaders throughout the fall. Their selections marked just the second time multiple Drury volleyball standouts have been chosen for First-Team All-GLVC honors in the same season, joining the trio of Bentley Mara, Kendra Sater and Emmalee Crest, who were honored as first-team selections in 2018.<br />
<br />
Bray has been one of the top setters in the conference throughout the season, bringing the No. 2 assist total (1,024) in the league into the GLVC Tournament. The Nixa, Mo., product has earned three GLVC Setter of the Week honors this fall and currently ranks eighth in the conference in digs per set (3.81). Additionally, she has racked up 18 double-doubles this season, including 11 in GLVC play and eight in a row entering postseason play.<br />
<br />
Like Bray, Hilton has enjoyed a career year for the Panthers that has included a conference-best 125 total blocks. The sophomore from Ozark, Mo., ranks 10th nationally in blocks and sixth in the GLVC for hitting percentage (.341). A two-way threat for Drury, Hilton earned both GLVC Offensive (Sept. 8) and Defensive (Oct. 26) Player of the Week honors this season and brings the Panthers' No. 2 season kill total (250) into the conference tournament.<br />
<br />
Renshaw concluded the regular season as the Panthers' leader in kills (251), while ranking second in service aces (28), third in digs (322). and fourth in blocks (40). A two-time Academic All-GLVC honoree, the North Little Rock, Ark., product has compiled 11 double-doubles this season.<br />
<br />
Kimrey was selected as the Panthers' representative for the GLVC's James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Team, as one of 14 volleyball student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These individuals must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. The honorees are now eligible to become one of their school's two Spalding Sportsmanship Award winners, which will be announced at the end of the academic year.<br />
<br />
After missing the 2025 season due to injury, Kimrey has bouncd back this fall with 196 kills (1.98 per set) and 67 total blocks, while hitting .297 for the Panthers. She was selected for GLVC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 14 after helping Drury topple No. 4 Washburn.<br />
 <br />
<strong>LOOKING AHEAD</strong><br />
Drury<strong> </strong>makes its return to postseason play this weekend at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Volleyball Championship in Williamsville, Ill. The No. 5 Panthers will open the conference tournament with a quarterfinal-round matchup Thursday (Nov. 12) against No. 4 Maryville at 2:30 p.m. inside Williamsville High School Fieldhouse.</span>

<p><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>FOLLOW THE PANTHERS</strong><br />
For all the latest information on Drury volleyball, visit </span><strong><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball"><span style="color:#000000;">DruryPanthers.com</span></a></strong><span style="color:#000000;">. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Panthers on </span><strong><a href="https://x.com/DruryVB"><span style="color:#000000;">X</span></a></strong><span style="color:#000000;"> and </span><strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/druryuniversity_volleyball/"><span style="color:#000000;">Instagram</span></a></strong><span style="color:#000000;">.</span></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><em>#OneDrury</em></strong></span></p>]]></description><media:thumbnail url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_system&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/11/All-GLVC.jpg" /><media:content url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/11/All-GLVC.jpg"><media:title>All-GLVC</media:title></media:content><enclosure url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/11/All-GLVC.jpg" length="1" type="image/jpg" /><pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2026 20:45:00 CST</pubDate><s:sport_id>17</s:sport_id><s:story_id>16864</s:story_id></item><item><title>Volleyball Opens GLVC Tournament Play Thursday Against Maryville</title><link>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/11/volleyball-opens-glvc-tournament-play-thursday-against-maryville.aspx</link><guid>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/11/volleyball-opens-glvc-tournament-play-thursday-against-maryville.aspx</guid><category>Volleyball</category><s:teaser><![CDATA[Fresh off of its first 20-win regular season in five years, Drury volleyball opens postseason play this weekend at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Volleyball Championship in Williamsville, Ill. The No. 5 Panthers will open the tournament with a quarterfinal-round matchup against fourth-seeded Maryville Thursday (Nov. 12) at 2:30 p.m. inside Williamsville High School Fieldhouse.]]></s:teaser><description><![CDATA[<img alt="VB_1112" src="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&image_path=/images/2026/11/11/GameDay_WEB1112.jpg" /><br /><br /><table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="width:100%;">
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			<td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; height: 30px; background-color: rgb(186, 12, 47);"><font color="#ffffff"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b>No. 5 Drury Panthers (20-8, 9-4 GLVC) vs. No. 4 Maryville Saints (15-13, 9-4 GLVC)</b></span></font></td>
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			<td style="background-color: rgb(136, 139, 141); width: 173px;"><font color="#ffffff"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Tournament Info.</b></span></font><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"></span></span></td>
			<td style="background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); width: 1254px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><a href="https://glvcsports.com/tournaments/?id=216&amp;path=vball"><span style="color:#000000;">GLVC Volleyball Championship</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">  |  </span><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/glvcsports.com/documents/2026/11/9/WVB_bracket.pdf"><span style="color:#000000;">Bracket</span></a></b></span></td>
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			<td style="background-color: rgb(136, 139, 141); width: 173px;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Site  |  Location</strong></span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:14px;"></span></span></td>
			<td style="background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); width: 1254px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><a href="https://williamsvilleathletics.org/"><span style="color:#000000;">Williamsville High School Fieldhouse</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">  |  Williamsville, Ill.</span></strong></span></span></td>
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			<td style="background-color: rgb(136, 139, 141); width: 173px;"><font color="#ffffff"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Quarterfinal Round</b></span></font></td>
			<td style="background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); width: 1254px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Thursday, Nov. 12 </b></span></span><strong><span style="color:#000000;">vs. No. 4 </span><a href="https://maryvillesaints.com/sports/womens-volleyball"><span style="color:#000000;">Maryville</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">  </span></strong><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>|  2:30 p.m. (CT)</b></span></span></span></td>
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			<td style="background-color: rgb(136, 139, 141); width: 173px;"><font color="#ffffff"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Match Links</b></span></font></td>
			<td style="background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); width: 1254px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><a href="https://glvcsports.com/sports/2021/11/11/CHAMPS_1111215206.aspx"><span style="color:#000000;">Tickets</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">  |  </span></b><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><a href="https://glvcsports.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary"><span style="color:#000000;">Live Stats</span></a></strong></span></span><b><span style="color:#000000;">  |  </span><a href="https://www.glvcsn.com/"><span style="color:#000000;">Watch</span></a></b></span></td>
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			<td style="background-color: rgb(136, 139, 141); width: 173px;"><font color="#ffffff"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Semifinal Round</b></span></font></td>
			<td style="background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); width: 1254px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Friday, Nov. 13 </b></span></span><strong><span style="color:#000000;">vs. No. 1 </span><a href="https://athletics.uindy.edu/sports/womens-volleyball"><span style="color:#000000;">Indianapolis</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> or No. 8 </span><a href="https://uiupeacocks.com/sports/womens-volleyball"><span style="color:#000000;">Upper Iowa</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">  </span></strong><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>|  2:30 p.m. (CT)</b></span></span></span></td>
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			<td style="background-color: rgb(136, 139, 141); width: 173px;"><font color="#ffffff"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Championship</b></span></font></td>
			<td style="background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); width: 1254px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color:#000000;">Saturday, Nov. 14 </span></b></span><strong><span style="color:#000000;">vs. TBD  </span></strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color:#000000;">|  12 p.m. (CT)</span></b></span><strong><span style="color:#000000;"></span></strong></span></td>
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			<td style="background-color: rgb(136, 139, 141); width: 173px;"><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Follow</strong></span></span></td>
			<td style="background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); width: 1254px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><span style="color:#000000;">X: </span><a href="https://x.com/DruryVB"><span style="color:#000000;">@</span></a><a href="https://x.com/DruryVB"><span style="color:#000000;">D</span></a><a href="https://x.com/DruryVB"><span style="color:#000000;">rur</span></a><a href="https://x.com/DruryVB"><span style="color:#000000;">yVB</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">  |  IG: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/druryuniversity_volleyball/"><span style="color:#000000;">@</span></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/druryuniversity_volleyball/"><span style="color:#000000;">D</span></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/druryuniversity_volleyball/"><span style="color:#000000;">ruryU</span></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/druryuniversity_volleyball/"><span style="color:#000000;">niversity_Volleyball</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">  |  Linktree: </span><a href="http://linktr.ee/DruryVolleyball"><span style="color:#000000;">@DruryVolleyball</span></a></strong></span></td>
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	</tbody>
</table>

<p><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. –</strong> Fresh off of its first 20-win regular season in five years, <strong>Drury volleyball </strong>opens<strong> </strong>postseason play this weekend at the Great Lakes Valley Conference Volleyball Championship in Williamsville, Ill. The No. 5 Panthers will open the tournament with a quarterfinal-round matchup against fourth-seeded Maryville Thursday (Nov. 12) at 2:30 p.m. inside Williamsville High School Fieldhouse.<br />
<br />
Making their second consecutive GLVC Tournament appearance following a nine-win league showing, the Panthers (20-8, 9-4 GLVC) will be looking to solidify their position in the Midwest Region NPI rankings heading into NCAA postseason play. Drury, which enters Thursday's action ranked No. 7 in the region, logged a straight-set victory over top-seeded Indianapolis last Friday (Nov. 6) after locking up its 12th GLVC Tournament berth the previous weekend with its road win over Missouri S&T (Oct. 30). <br />
<br />
Maryville (15-13, 9-4 GLVC) will be </span>making its fifth consecutive GLVC Championship appearance after tying Drury for fourth place in the league's regular-season race. The Saints earned the No. 4 seed by virtue of their head-to-head four-set victory over the Panthers on Oct. 31 in St. Louis.</p>

<p><span style="color:#000000;">Each of the four quarterfinal winners will advance to the semifinal round, which will include 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. matches on Friday (Nov. 13). The winners of the semifinal matches will face each other on Saturday (Nov. 14) at noon (CST) for the 2026 GLVC Volleyball Championship crown.</span><br />
<br />
All seven postseason matches will be streamed live behind a paywall on the GLVC Sports Network at GLVCSN.com, on Android and iOS mobile apps, as well as OTT apps via AppleTV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV. Single-game pricing is $15, while all games can be watched with a monthly ($32) or full-year subscription ($145).<span style="color:#000000;"> </span>Tickets for the tournament will be available at <a href="https://glvcsports.com/sports/2021/11/11/CHAMPS_1111215206.aspx">GLVCsports.com/Tickets</a>, with additional information available on the <a href="https://glvcsports.com/tournaments/?id=216&amp;path=vball">GLVC Women's Volleyball Championship Tournament page</a>.<span style="color:#000000;"><br />
<br />
<b>SERIES AND TOURNAMENT HISTORY</b></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;">Drury brings a 15-8 all-time record against Maryville into Thursday's contest.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;">This year's appearance marks the Panthers' first under head coach <strong>Kelly Richardson</strong>, who led DU to 20 victories during the regular season -- a Drury program record for a first-year head coach.</span></span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span>The Saints have claimed the last five meetings in the series after their 3-1 victory over the Panthers on Oct. 31 in St. Louis.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;">In the season's first meeting of the two squads, Drury fought back from an early two-set deficit, but could not overcome a stout defensive effort from Maryville in a four-set loss to the Saints that ended the Panthers' six-match GLVC win streak; Maryville limited the Panthers to .123 hitting over the first two sets to help overcome a 48-assist, 28-dig effort by Jacy Bray. </span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;">Drury's last win against Maryville came via straight sets on Oct. 23, 2021 in Springfield. </span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;">In 11 previous GLVC Tournament trips, the Panthers have compiled a cumulative 3-11 record, with their best showing coming in 2018, when they won a pair of matches to advance to the title game before losing a 3-1 decision to Rockhurst.</span></li>
</ul>

<p><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>OPENING STORYLINES</strong></span></p>

<ul>
	<li>Drury notched its 900th victory as a varsity program last Friday vs. Indianapolis; the Panthers bring a 900-782-17 overall mark -- good for a .535 winning percentage -- into Thursday's action.</li>
	<li>Head coach <strong><dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/coaches/kelly-richardson/3397" rel="smarttag" rev="3397">Kelly Richardson</a></dfn></strong> has made a strong first impression as DU's newest bench boss, entering the postseason with a 20-8 mark leading the Panthers to date, which represents the best first-year win total by a Drury volleyball head coach.</li>
	<li>The Panthers notched their second top 25 victory of the season last Friday (Nov. 6) with their 3-0 win over No. 19 Indianapolis; DU knocked off No. 4 Washburn on Sept. 12 and is 2-1 on the year vs. ranked foes.</li>
	<li>The Panthers are a combined 11-5 in road and neutral-site contests this season, including a 6-3 mark on netural courts.</li>
	<li>Drury earned six Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week honors in 2026, which marks the top season total by the Panthers since the inception of the current GLVC weekly awards program.</li>
	<li><strong>Jacy Bray </strong>was the latest DU honoree, claiming her third GLVC Setter of the Week citation on Monday (Nov. 9); she registered her seventh and eighth consecutive double-doubles in Drury's two matches last week, including a GLVC-best 71 total assists overall.</li>
	<li>The junior from Nixa, Mo., led the Panthers to a straight-set upset of No. 19 Indianapolis, finishing with 32 assists, 12 digs, six kills on .545 hitting and three blocks.</li>
	<li>Bray is the first Panther to earn three weekly honors from the GLVC since Bree Schmidt claimed three Defensive Player of the Week nods in 2018.</li>
	<li><strong>Abby Renshaw </strong>delivered a strong final weekend of the regular season as well, tallying a GLVC-best 30 kills in DU's two matches.</li>
	<li>Renshaw turned in a pair of double-doubles, including a 13-kill, 16-dig effort in the Panthers' straight-set upset of No. 19 Indianapolis; the junior from North Little Rock added a 17-kill, 17-dig performance vs. Lewis and finished the week with a .291 hitting percentage and an average of 3.75 kills and 4.13 digs per set.</li>
	<li><strong>Skylar Hilton</strong> turned in another strong all-around weekend for the Panthers last week, totaling a GLVC-high 15 blocks in DU's two matches; Hilton recorded eight blocks to go along with five digs, seven kills and a .300 hitting percentage in the win over UIndy.</li>
	<li><strong><dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/kim-quinit/10740" rel="smarttag" rev="10740">Kim Quinit</a></dfn></strong> has helped pace a stingy Drury defense down the stretch, with the junior logging 90 digs over the Panthers' last four matches – including a career-high 29 digs in DU's first matchup with Maryville on Oct. 31.</li>
	<li>As a team, Drury leads the GLVC and ranks second in the nation in digs per set (20.02); Bray (3.81), Quinit (3.24) and Renshaw (3.22) pace the Panthers in the same category.</li>
	<li>Drury ranks fourth in the GLVC in blocks (2.11 per set), with Hilton (1.26) and <strong><dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/gracie-kimrey/10735" rel="smarttag" rev="10735">Gracie Kimrey</a></dfn></strong> (0.68) each ranking among the top 20 defenders in the circuit; the Panthers also rank 44th nationally in blocks per set as a team.</li>
	<li>Drury has limited the opposition to a hitting percentage of .155, which ranks second in the GLVC and 56th among all NCAA Division II schools.</li>
	<li><strong><i></i></strong>Hilton<strong><i> </i></strong>ranks sixth in the GLVC and 77th nationally in hitting (.341); the Ozark, Mo., product also has a team-best 125 blocks on the year and 241 for her two-year DU career.</li>
	<li>Hilton's 1.26 blocks per set also rank second among all GLVC players and No. 15 nationally.</li>
	<li>Renshaw's 28 service aces are second on the club, trailing only <strong>Amelia White's </strong>31 this season; the duo has totaled 59 aces after bringing a combined career total of just three aces into the 2026 season.</li>
	<li>Bray became just the 10th Panther to record 1,000 assists in a season last weekend; the junior brings a total of 1,024 assists into the postseason, which ranks 13th on Drury's single-season chart, just 61 behind Karen Smith (1988) in the No. 12 spot on the list.</li>
	<li>Bray enters Friday's contest with 1,575 career assists to her credit, including 1,552 as a Panther.</li>
	<li>Bray paces a Panther offense that has posted the second-leading kill average (13.92 per set) and assist average (12.83 per set) in the GLVC to date.</li>
	<li>Bray, who leads the Panthers with her 18 double-doubles this season, ranks second in the GLVC and 23rd nationally with her 1,024 total assists.</li>
	<li>Hilton enters the postseason just 37 kills away from the 500 milestone for her Drury career.<span style="color:#000000;"></span></li>
	<li>Quinit, who topped the 1,000-dig plateau for her career earlier this season, has logged 300+ digs and 100 sets played in each of her first three seasons as a Panther.</li>
	<li>Renshaw topped the 500-kill mark for her career last Saturday vs. Lewis; she also needs just six more blocks to reach 100 for her career; additionally, her 322 digs this season are third on the squad behind only Bray (381) and Quinit (324).</li>
</ul>

<p><span style="color:#000000;"><b>ABOUT THE PANTHERS</b></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;">Dr</span>ury returned 10 letterwinners from last season's 17-13 team that finished 7-6 in conference play to advance to the GLVC Tournament for the first time since 2019.</li>
	<li>DU won eight of its first nine matches, matching its best start to a season since 2017.</li>
	<li>Junior setter<strong> <dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/jacy-bray/10727" rel="smarttag" rev="10727">Jacy Bray</a></dfn></strong> brings a streak of 51 consecutive double-digit assist performances into the postseason (since Sept. 12, 2025); Bray logged nine double-doubles and recorded 528 assists (4.98 per set) and 245 digs in 2025 and has 18 doubles, 1,024 assists (10.24) and 381 digs (3.81) this season to date.</li>
	<li>Sophomore middle blocker <strong><dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/skylar-hilton/10733" rel="smarttag" rev="10733">Skylar Hilton</a></dfn></strong> ranked fourth overall in the GLVC and 48th nationally with her 116 blocks last fall, which represented the top season tally by a Panther rookie since Elizabeth Bunch's 116 in 2001.</li>
	<li>Senior outside hitter <strong><dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/chaney-barth/10726" rel="smarttag" rev="10726">Chaney Barth</a></dfn></strong> topped the 300-kill and 300-dig milestones for her career last fall in her first season with the Panthers; she enters the weekend with 553 career kills to her credit.</li>
	<li>Juniors <strong><dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/emerson-grossman/10731" rel="smarttag" rev="10731">Emerson Grossman</a></dfn>,</strong> <strong><dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/jenna-labarge/10736" rel="smarttag" rev="10736">Jenna LaBarge</a></dfn>, <dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/kennedy-outler/10739" rel="smarttag" rev="10739">Kennedy Outler</a></dfn></strong> and <strong><dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/abby-renshaw/10743" rel="smarttag" rev="10743">Abby Renshaw</a></dfn></strong> have each earned significant playing time over their first two seasons in Scarlet and Gray; Grossman recorded a career-best 58 kills (1.21 per set) and 31 total blocks last season, while Renshaw racked up 176 kills (1.81 per set) and 41 blocks in 2025.</li>
	<li>Sophomores<strong> <dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/caroline-red/10742" rel="smarttag" rev="10742">Caroline Red</a></dfn>, <dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/amelia-white/10746" rel="smarttag" rev="10746">Amelia White</a></dfn> </strong>and<strong> <dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/gracie-kimrey/10735" rel="smarttag" rev="10735">Gracie Kimrey</a></dfn> </strong>will be looking for breakthrough seasons as well.</li>
	<li>In addition to its corps of returners, Drury welcomes nine newcomers to the mix, led by transfers <strong><dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/reagan-baade/10951" rel="smarttag" rev="10951">Reagan Baade</a></dfn>, <dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/isy-purrington/10953" rel="smarttag" rev="10953">Isy Purrington</a></dfn>, <dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/sophia-frerking/11180" rel="smarttag" rev="11180">Sophia Frerking</a></dfn> </strong>and<strong> <dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/sydney-walker/10954" rel="smarttag" rev="10954">Sydney Walker</a></dfn>; </strong>additionally, freshmen <strong><dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/gwen-kubik/10948" rel="smarttag" rev="10948">Gwen Kubik</a></dfn>, <dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/lucy-hafer/10949" rel="smarttag" rev="10949">Lucy Hafer</a></dfn>, <dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/falon-stroup/10952" rel="smarttag" rev="10952">Falon Stroup</a></dfn>, <dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/taylor-wood/10950" rel="smarttag" rev="10950">Taylor Wood</a></dfn> </strong>and <strong><dfn><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/bella-asante/10947" rel="smarttag" rev="10947">Bella Asante</a></dfn> </strong>round out the<strong> </strong>deep class of newcomers and should give Richardson additional options this fall.</li>
	<li>Drury also turned in a strong 2025-26 year in the classroom, as seven returning Panthers were named Academic All-GLVC, paced by Quinit and Renshaw, who each earned CSC Academic All-District recognition at the conclusion of the 2025 season.<span style="color:#000000;"></span></li>
</ul>

<p><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>LOOKING AHEAD</strong><br />
The Panthers will continue their quest for their first GLVC Volleyball Championship, with the tournament slated to run through Saturday (Nov. 14) in Williamsville. The 2026 NCAA Division II Volleyball Championship bracket will be revealed during a selection show at 9 p.m. (CST) on Sunday, Nov. 15, and live streamed on </span><a href="https://www.ncaa.com/" target="_blank" title=""><span style="color:#000000;">NCAA.com</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. Twenty-three teams will earn automatic qualification to the tournament, which will run Nov. 19 through Dec. 5.<br />
<br />
For all the latest information on Drury volleyball, visit </span><strong><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball"><span style="color:#000000;">DruryPanthers.com</span></a></strong><span style="color:#000000;">. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Panthers on </span><strong><a href="https://x.com/DruryVB"><span style="color:#000000;">X</span></a></strong><span style="color:#000000;"> and </span><strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/druryuniversity_volleyball/"><span style="color:#000000;">Instagram</span></a></strong><span style="color:#000000;">.</span></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color:#000000;"><em>#OneDrury</em></span></strong></p>]]></description><media:thumbnail url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_system&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/11/GameDay_WEB1112.jpg" /><media:content url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/11/GameDay_WEB1112.jpg"><media:title>VB_1112</media:title></media:content><enclosure url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/11/GameDay_WEB1112.jpg" length="1" type="image/jpg" /><pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2026 15:00:00 CST</pubDate><s:sport_id>17</s:sport_id><s:story_id>16866</s:story_id></item><item><title>SEASON PREVIEW: Panthers Look to Sophomores for Leadership, Results in 2026-27</title><link>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/11/mens-basketball-season-preview-panthers-look-to-sophomores-for-leadership-results-in-2026-27.aspx</link><guid>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/11/mens-basketball-season-preview-panthers-look-to-sophomores-for-leadership-results-in-2026-27.aspx</guid><category>Men's Basketball</category><s:teaser><![CDATA[Call them the young and the ready.]]></s:teaser><description><![CDATA[<img alt="Thomas" src="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&image_path=/images/2026/3/7/P1519109.jpg" /><br /><br /><p><span style="color:#000000;">Call them the young and the ready. <br />
<br />
Sophomores <strong>KeShaun Thomas</strong> and <strong>Keion Epps</strong> believe they are prepared to carry the leadership torch for the new-look Drury Panthers in the 2026-27 season. <br />
<br />
So does head coach <strong>Chris Foster.</strong><br />
<br />
Thomas and Epps enjoyed outstanding freshman seasons and established themselves as high-achieving players in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. And they got better as the season ended in a way that bodes well for the future of the Panthers. Thomas and Epps played strong roles as Drury won its last three regular-season games to earn the eighth and final seed in the GLVC Tournament, then pulled off two upsets before falling in the championship game.<br />
<br />
"It's great to have them back," Foster said as he sat flanked by the two at a preseason press conference.<br />
<br />
His team finished 17-14 last season, the highest number of victories for Drury since he took over the program in 2021. The Panthers have been on a winning trajectory: 9-19 in 2022-23, then 15-13 and then 14-13. At the same time, they've gone from five wins in the GLVC regular season to eight to nine and then 10.  <br />
<br />
"Our success (came) because we continued to improve," Foster says. "That's a great lesson." <br />
<br />
The 5-1 finish last season has Thomas hungering for another tournament run. "We have to get back there, have the same mindset," he says. <br />
<br />
Epps concurs: "We had our feet in. If everybody locks in, we can get there again. We need to get a better seed."<br />
<br />
It motivates Thomas to help mentor the nine new players – six transfers and three freshmen – into the Panther culture. "I'll do as much as I can," he says. <br />
<br />
"I need to be a leader, help them all out."<br />
<br />
It is gratifying to him that the "staff have a lot of trust in me." The 6-foot-6, 225 pound forward from Quincy, Ill., certainly earned the trust with his steady performances last season. He was the strongman of the Panthers' front court from the get-go. He scored in double digits in 27 games – including a high of 29 – and amassed 10 double-doubles. Thomas led all freshmen in the GLVC with a 14.8 points per game scoring average and the Panthers with 7.6 rebounds per game. His play earned him a GVLC Player of the Week last January, as well as a spot on the league's all-freshman team.<br />
<br />
Thomas converted on .490 percent of his field-goal attempts last year, many coming on strongly defended moves to the basket. He made 151 free throws, the team-high by far. His 235 rebounds are second most ever for a Drury freshman and his 459 points rank fourth all-time among all Panther freshmen.<br />
<br />
"He was very productive for us," Foster says. "The challenge is: Can you help lead through adversity. He has big shoes to fill."<br />
<br />
The Panthers lost a pair of big shoes when its top two scorers from last season –  Zach Howell (17.6 ppg) and Colin Hardrick (15.5 ppg) – transferred to NCAA Division I programs. "We are excited for players that can transfer, but we have to replace them," Foster says.<br />
<br />
Epps led Drury with 4.2 assists per game, which ranked fourth in the GLVC. The 6-0 guard averaged 6.6 points and pulled off an eye-opening  double-double of 11 rebounds and 10 assists during a game last January. He converted on .324 percent of his three-point attempts as a freshman after starring at Springfield's Central High School, just a couple blocks west of the Drury campus. <br />
<br />
The Panthers upset top-seeded Rockhurst 101-92 and then fourth-seeded Indianapolis 85-83 in the conference tournament before falling in the GLVC championship game to William Jewell. Both turned in key performances during the run: Thomas and Epps scored 16 points and recorded three assists in the win over Rockhurst; Thomas scored 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the title game, while Epps totaled 11 points and three assists.<br />
<br />
Epps said the championship drive gave him a boost: "I needed that confidence."<br />
<br />
He expects the payoff will bring more points and assists – and a better ability to lead.<br />
<br />
Drury also returns another sophomore, <strong>Kevin Sargeant</strong>, who grew into a starter for the last nine games. The 6-5 sophomore forward from Missouri City, Texas, led the Panthers in field-goal percentage at .579 (44-of-76) and in blocks with 25. He averaged 4.3 points and 3.7 rebounds. </span></p>

<p><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>ADDITIONAL RETURNERS AND SQUAD MEMBERS</strong></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Kanon Gipson </strong>- junior guard - Rogersville, Mo. - sat out last season due to an injury; the transfer from Missouri State averaged 4.2 points in 2024-25, including a 20-point outburst in a conference game at William Jewell.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Brady Nicholson</strong> - sophomore guard - Ash Grove, Mo. - scored five points and made three assists in a victory last season over Central Christian.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Hogan Smith</strong> - sophomore forward - Springfield, Mo. - third-year squad member and two-time Academic All-GLVC honoree from tradition-rich Kickapoo High program in Springfield.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Wyatt Carr </strong>- redshirt freshman guard - Lebanon, Mo. - earned a redshirt last season after appearing in eight contests for the Panthers; earned Academic All-GLVC Team honors.</span></li>
</ul>

<p><span style="color:#000000;"><b>DRURY NEWCOMERS:</b></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Cale Clingan</strong> - freshman guard - Derby, Kan. - averaged 15.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per game as a senior at Derby High School. </span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Caison Cole</strong> - junior guard - Norman, Okla. - a transfer from Northern Oklahoma College, Cole averaged 12.5 points while shooting .429 from three-point range last season for the Mavericks.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Elijah Edosa</strong> - junior guard - Scarborough, Ont. - a transfer from Rend Lake College in Ina, Ill., Edosa averaged 18.0 points and 9.2 rebounds in leading Rend Lake to a 22-9 record and NJCAA Regional semifinal appearance last season.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Christian Hughes</strong> - junior guard - Kirkwood, Mo. - a transfer from NCAA D-I Arkansas-Little Rock with two years of eligibility remaining, Hughes started five games last season; he also played for Drury assistant coach Sam Briscoe at Kirkwood (Mo.) High School, helping the Pioneers to a 24-3 season in 2022-23.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Matija Medic </strong>- freshman forward - &#268;acak, Serbia - most recently played in the Serbian ABA League for Borac &#268;acak at the U19 level; Medic shot 45 percent from the floor last season while averaging five points and five rebounds.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Hudson Rorex </strong>- freshman guard - Imboden, Ark. - a three-time Arkansas All-State honoree for Sloan-Hendrix High School, Rorex totaled 2,285 career points, including 24 ppg. during his senior year in which he averaged 24 points per contest. </span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Evan Simon </strong>- sophomore guard - St. Louis, Mo. - a transfer from fellow GLVC member Illinois Springfield, Simon was a First-Team All-Suburban Conference selection at Kirkwood High School where he averaged 20 points and four assists in 2023-24.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Judah Vignery </strong>- junior guard - Platte City, Mo. - played the last two seasons at Iowa Western CC, where he averaged 17.0 points while shooting 44 percent last season.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Payton Weemer </strong>- junior forward - Fishers, Ind. - a transfer from Grand Valley State; Weemer earned all-region and all-conference honors in two seasons at Lakeland CC, where he averaged 11 points and six rebounds in 2024-25.</span></li>
</ul>

<p><span style="color:#000000;">Foster likes the chemistry and potential of the Panthers as they prepare to open at 6 p.m. Monday night (Nov. 9) against Ecclesia College. <br />
<br />
"We've been dealing with a lot of new faces," Foster says.<br />
<br />
It's challenging, but working well: "It's been a good mix. We've had a good fall of practices." <br />
<br />
Drury plays nine of its first 10 games at home. Following Monday's season opener with Ecclesia, Harding visits The O' on Nov. 13 and Union on Nov. 14 as part of DU's Season Tipoff Challenge. The Panthers will also host Central Bible (Nov. 17), as well as PItt State (Nov. 24) and Central Missouri (Nov. 25) as part of the DoubleTree by Hilton Thanksgiving Classic to round out the November portion of the schedule. <br />
<br />
Drury was voted to finish eighth in the GLVC coaches preseason poll. The Panthers received 121 points. McKendree was first with nine of 15 first place votes and 190 points. William Jewell received the other six first-place votes and totaled 186 points. They were followed in the top eight by Upper Iowa (146), Illinois Springfield (144), Indianapolis (140), Missouri S&T (136) and Missouri-St. Louis (125).  </span></p>

<p><span style="color:#000000;"><b>SEASON-OPENING NOTES</b></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;">Drury men's basketball will tip off its 119th year Monday (Nov. 9) evening when the Panthers host  Ecclesia College for a 6 p.m., game at O'Reilly Family Event Center.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;">DU is coming off three consecutive winning season for the first time since 2019-21 after going 17-14 a year ago.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;">The Panthers have gone 17-6 against non-conference foes over the last three seasons, including a combined 13-4 mark in November non-GLVC contests over the same span. <br />
	In season-opening contests since 2003, Drury has gone 21-2, including five-straight opening day wins under head coach <strong>Chris Foster</strong>.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;">The Panthers won five of their last six games in 2025-26, punctuated by a GLVC Tournament run that concluded with a runner-up finish for Drury, marking its best postseason finish since 2021.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;">Drury welcomes back five letterwinners last year's club, led by sophomore <strong>KeShaun Thomas</strong> who turned in a breakout rookie year in which he led all GLVC freshmen in scoring (14.8 ppg.) while pulling down a team-best 7.6 boards per game en route to earning GLVC All-Freshman Team honors. </span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;">Drury's 28-game 2026-27 regular-season schedule will feature 18 home dates at O'Reilly Family Event Center this winter, including six games versus 2026 NCAA-II postseason qualifiers.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;">The Panthers will open the new season with six straight home games (Nov. 9-25), including a pair of two-day classics in at The 'O in the month of November.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color:#000000;"><strong>FOLLOW THE PANTHERS</strong><br />
For all the latest information on Drury men's basketball, visit </span><strong><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/mens-basketball"><span style="color:#000000;">D</span></a><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/mens-basketball"><span style="color:#000000;">ruryPanthers</span></a><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/mens-basketball"><span style="color:#000000;">.com</span></a></strong><span style="color:#000000;">. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Panthers on </span><strong><a href="https://x.com/drurymbb"><span style="color:#000000;">X</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></strong><span style="color:#000000;">and </span><strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/drurymbb"><span style="color:#000000;">Instagram</span></a></strong><span style="color:#000000;">.</span>

<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><em>#OneDrury</em></strong></span></p>]]></description><media:thumbnail url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_system&amp;image_path=/images/2026/3/7/P1519109.jpg" /><media:content url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/3/7/P1519109.jpg"><media:title>Thomas</media:title></media:content><enclosure url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/3/7/P1519109.jpg" length="1" type="image/jpg" /><pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2026 10:17:00 CST</pubDate><s:sport_id>4</s:sport_id><s:story_id>16865</s:story_id></item><item><title>SEASON PREVIEW: Lady Panthers are Loaded with Returning Talent, Focused on Titles</title><link>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/10/lady-panthers-are-loaded-with-returning-talent-focused-on-titles.aspx</link><guid>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/10/lady-panthers-are-loaded-with-returning-talent-focused-on-titles.aspx</guid><category>Women's Basketball</category><s:teaser><![CDATA[The returns are certainly impressive for Drury coming into the 2026-27 women's basketball season.]]></s:teaser><description><![CDATA[<img alt="mendel_ottawa" src="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&image_path=/images/2026/11/10/Ottawa-144.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">The returns are certainly impressive for Drury coming into the 2026-27 women's basketball season.<br />
 <br />
The Lady Panthers have their complete starting lineup back, including first-team all-conference players <strong>Sara Mendel </strong>and <strong>Rhi Gibbons</strong>.<br />
 <br />
Combined with second-teamer <strong>Kaylee King</strong>, plus <strong>Jazz Gray</strong> and <strong>Sage Stratton</strong>, that lineup was the catalyst for a 13-2 finish last season. <br />
 <br />
The Lady Panthers started at 8-6 and finished 21-8 – reaching 13 years in a streak of 20-plus victories.<br />
 <br />
The starters helped put up some lofty and even national leading statistics last season. For example, Mendel led NCAA Division II by converting on 67.1 of her field-goal attempts (the all-time Drury record). <br />
 <br />
Also back are four of the top-five three-point shooters who helped the Lady Panthers rank No. 2 nationally at 38.0 percent. <br />
 <br />
With three others who played in at least 27 games last season, the mix of experience and talent bodes well for big returns in other significant ways. Simply put, the team is hungry for championships again in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and a spot in the DII national tournament. <br />
 <br />
The Lady Panthers came close to GLVC titles in the previous three seasons, so the feelings linger that there is unfinished business, especially for Mendel, Gibbons and Gray, who are all seniors.<br />
 <br />
"There is a sense of urgency. We have the right pieces, the right roster," says head coach <strong>Kaci Bailey</strong>, who took over before the 2023-24 season.<br />
 <br />
Her teams finished 25-7, 22-7 and 21-8 for a total of 68-22 overall. They were 18-4 (third), 17-3 (second) and 17-3 (third) during the regular seasons for the GLVC and advanced to one tournament final.<br />
 <br />
The Lady Panthers reached the NCAA Tournament in Bailey's first season.<br />
 <br />
"We all feel we've got the talent," she says about stepping up this season. "We just need to get it done."<br />
 <br />
Mendel and Gibbons agree.<br />
 <br />
"It definitely stings. It definitely puts a chip on your shoulder," says Mendel, a 6-foot-2 post player from Ava. "It would be so cool to do it."<br />
 <br />
And Gibbons: "We need to go back to where we belong, win that championship." <br />
 <br />
Gibbons, a 5-9 redshirt senior guard from Nixa, is the only current player who has tasted a title as a Lady Panther.<br />
 <br />
That came as a freshman during the 2022-23 season, when Drury swept the GLVC, going 20-0 during the regular-season and then won the tournament championship.<br />
 <br />
Ironically, Bailey coached eighth-seeded Quincy University to a near-miss major upset of Drury in the first round of that tournament. The Lady Panthers squeaked through, 79-78.<br />
 <br />
Bailey was named Drury's coach shortly afterward when Amy Eagan left to take the job as coach of Lindenwood in its first season as an NCAA Division I program. Eagan took over the New Mexico program this year.<br />
 <br />
It was an easy decision for Gibbons to return for a fifth season: "I wanted to come back and win with them, get another chance. I love my teammates." <br />
 <br />
She led the Lady Panthers with nearly 32 minutes per game last season. "I like to play a lot," she says. "I'll fight through it (when tired late in close games)."<br />
 <br />
She said it takes a mindset to win: "It's being tough, being confident and truly believing in ourselves."<br />
 <br />
The Lady Panthers open the regular season with five consecutive home games.<br />
 <br />
The first comes at 5:45 p.m. Friday against Fort Hays State in the GLVC/MIAA challenge. Drury then plays Pittsburg State at 7:45 p.m. Saturday.<br />
 <br />
Mendel is coming off a monster step-up season when she set school records by recording 20 double-doubles and hitting 67.1 percent of her field-goal attempts. <br />
 <br />
She averaged 16.1 points and 10.1 rebounds.<br />
 <br />
The season before, she averaged 8.2 points and compiled six double-doubles. <br />
 <br />
Mendel's other major achievements last season included:<br />
– All-Region second team<br />
– GLVC Player of the Week three times<br />
– Voted to the league's all-defensive team<br />
– Honored for academics by the conference and the College Sports Communicators<br />
 <br />
Gibbons was a first-team all-league player for the second season in a row after averaging 14.5 points and 5.4 rebounds. She hit .431 of her field-goal attempts and .356 percent on treys.<br />
 <br />
She scored double figures in 28 of 29 games – and sat out much of the game in which she didn't after sustaining an in-game injury.<br />
 <br />
She was honored last spring with her fourth Academic All-GLVC.<br />
 <br />
King received second-team GLVC honors after averaging 10.9 points and converting an eye-opening .933 percent of her free throws (42 for 45). The 5-6 redshirt junior guard from Ellington, Mo., also led the team with 69 assists and 58 treys (40.8 percent).<br />
 <br />
Gray, a 5-8 guard from St. Louis, averaged 7.7 points and 2.9 rebounds last season. She tied for second on the team with 57 assists. <br />
 <br />
Stratton, a 5-9 sophomore guard from Quincy, Ill., averaged 3.8 points and made 27 of 75 treys (36.0 percent).<br />
 <br />
ADDITIONAL RETURNERS</span>

<ul>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Raegan Halliday</strong> - junior guard - Olathe, Kan. - averaged 5.1 points and 3.0 rebounds last season. She converted 21-for-44 on treys (47.7 percent).</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Teague Muncy</strong> - sophomore forward - Dale, Okla. - scored 53 points and made 74 rebounds in 27 games last season.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Talia Norman </strong>- sophomore center - Alton, Ill. - scored 58 points and grabbed 45 rebounds in 27 games.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Charlee Bailey</strong> - sophomore guard - Tipton, Mo. - played in six games and hit 2-for-6 on treys.</span></li>
	<li><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Brooklyn Owens</strong> - redshirt freshman guard - Rogers, Ark. - averaged 5.3 points in three games.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color:#000000;">  <br />
Winning a title together would be special for Mendel and Gibbons, who fondly remember watching Lady Panthers legends play, attending camps and dreaming of playing in O'Reilly Family Events Center. <br />
 <br />
It's "surreal" to be in her senior year, Mendel says. "Time is dwindling down. We have to come in and give it our all."<br />
 <br />
She and Gibbons take pride in mentoring young players and standing as positive examples of hard work and success. "We love the freshmen," Gibbons says. "We try to give advice and make them feel welcome. They have worked really well with us."<br />
 <br />
Mendel concurs: "They all came in with hard work, settled in real quick."<br />
 <br />
The six freshmen are: 6-0 forward <strong>Emma Akins</strong> from Mountain View, Ark., 5-7 guard <strong>Lucy Hafer</strong> from West Plains, 5-10 guard <strong>Audrey Arnold</strong> from Fulton, Mo., 5-9 guard <strong>Quinn Aldridge</strong> of Marshfield, Mo., 5-5 guard <strong>Josie Salazar</strong> from Springfield, and 5-9 guard <strong>Samantha Becker</strong> from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.<br />
 <br />
"All the freshmen have the potential to play," Bailey says, noting that Becker, Quinn and Salazar have made strong early impressions. "We are deeper."<br />
 <br />
Drury's one transfer – <strong>Candela Roy</strong>, a 5-10 junior forward from Spain – is a strong candidate for playing time. "She's a gamer," Bailey says. "She adds length and goes and gets the ball. She has a knack for rebounding."<br />
 <br />
Drury plays its annual Hiland Dairy Kids Day morning game at 11 a.m. Nov. 18 against Arkansas-Fort Smith.<br />
 <br />
The Lady Panthers then host the eighth-annual Oasis Hotel & Convention Center Thanksgiving Classic with games against Saginaw Valley State on Nov. 24 and against Union on Nov. 25. Both are scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m.<br />
 <br />
"We have an extremely hard schedule," Bailey says, noting the non-conference games. "They will be a good measuring stick. (They) prepare us for the conference."<br />
 <br />
Drury opens GLVC play with a game on Nov. 30 at William Jewell.<br />
 <br />
The Lady Panthers received two first-place votes and were third with 171 points in the GLVC preseason poll.<br />
 <br />
Maryville, last season's tournament winner, had six first-place votes and led the poll with 186 points. Missouri-St. Louis also had six first-place votes and finished second with 183 points and six first-place votes. <br />
 <br />
"It's going to be a tough conference," Bailey says.<br />
 <br />
The GLVC Tournament will be held in St. Joseph, Mo., with the eight-team event scheduled for March 4-7 at the St. Joseph Civic Arena.<br />
 <br />
<strong>FOLLOW THE LADY PANTHERS</strong><br />
For all the latest information on Drury athletics, please visit </span><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-basketball"><span style="color:#000000;">drurypanthers.com</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Panthers on </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/drurywbb/"><span style="color:#000000;">Instagram</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, </span><a href="https://x.com/DULadyPanthers"><span style="color:#000000;">X</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, and </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/drurywbb"><span style="color:#000000;">Facebook</span></a>

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#000000;"><br />
<em><strong>#OneDrury</strong></em></span></div>]]></description><media:thumbnail url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_system&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/10/Ottawa-144.jpg" /><media:content url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/10/Ottawa-144.jpg"><media:title>mendel_ottawa</media:title></media:content><enclosure url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/10/Ottawa-144.jpg" length="1" type="image/jpg" /><pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2026 12:01:00 CST</pubDate><s:sport_id>10</s:sport_id><s:story_id>16861</s:story_id></item><item><title>Men's Soccer Earns First NCAA Tournament Bid Since 2016</title><link>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/9/mens-soccer-earns-first-ncaa-tournament-bid-since-2016.aspx</link><guid>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/9/mens-soccer-earns-first-ncaa-tournament-bid-since-2016.aspx</guid><category>Men's Soccer</category><s:teaser><![CDATA[INDIANAPOLIS – For the first time in 10 years, Drury men's soccer is heading back to the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers earned the No. 10 seed in Super Region 3 of the 2026 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament, announced by the NCAA on Monday evening.]]></s:teaser><description><![CDATA[<img alt="Men's Soccer NCAA Bracket" src="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&image_path=/images/2026/11/9/IMG_0385.jpg" /><br /><br /><strong>INDIANAPOLIS –</strong> For the first time in 10 years, Drury men's soccer is heading back to the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers earned the No. 10 seed in Super Region 3 of the 2026 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Tournament, announced by the NCAA on Monday evening.<br />
 <br />
The NCAA announced the 40-team field with 10 teams selected from each of the four super regions. Super Region 3 features four teams from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), three from the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), two from the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), and one from the Great American Conference/Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (GAC/MIAA).<br />
 <br />
Lincoln earned the top seed in Super Region 3, followed by Saginaw Valley State, Fort Hays State, Findlay, Northern Michigan, Lake Erie, Maryville, Roosevelt, Purdue Northwest and Drury.<br />
 <br />
The Panthers (11-4-3) will face No. 7 seed and GLVC opponent Maryville (11-4-4) in the opening round on Friday, Nov. 13, at Saginaw Valley State. The winner will advance to face the second-seeded Cardinals in the second round on Sunday, Nov. 15.<br />
 <br />
&quot;Really excited to make my first tournament as a coach. The guys really deserved it; we are excited for a second chance, and we want to make the most of it,&quot; said head coach Ben Taylor during Drury's selection show watch party.<br />
 <br />
The Panthers return to the national tournament for the first time since 2016, when they advanced to the Round of 16. Drury opened its postseason run with a 2-1 victory over Saginaw Valley State on the road before defeating Tiffin 2-1 in the second round. The Panthers ultimately saw their season end against Rockhurst in the Round of 16, falling in a penalty kick shootout after a 1-1 draw.<br />
 <br />
Drury's 11 victories this season are the most under Taylor. The Panthers were ranked as high as No. 8 nationally during the regular season, their highest ranking since 2013.<br />
 <br />
The Panthers will look to build on their return to the national tournament, beginning Friday against a familiar GLVC opponent.<br />
<br />
<strong>FOLLOW THE PANTHERS</strong><br />
For all the latest information on Drury athletics, please visit <a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-soccer"><span style="color:#000000;">drurypanthers.com</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Panthers on </span><a href="https://x.com/DUMensSoccer"><span style="color:#000000;">X</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/drurymenssoccer/"><span style="color:#000000;">Instagram</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, and </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DruryMensSoccer"><span style="color:#000000;">Facebook</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">.</span><br />
<br />
 
<div style="text-align: center;"> <em>#WonDrury</em></div>]]></description><media:thumbnail url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_system&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/9/IMG_0385.jpg" /><media:content url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/9/IMG_0385.jpg"><media:title>Men's Soccer NCAA Bracket</media:title></media:content><enclosure url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/9/IMG_0385.jpg" length="1" type="image/jpg" /><pubDate>Mon, 9 Nov 2026 18:20:00 CST</pubDate><s:sport_id>7</s:sport_id><s:story_id>16860</s:story_id></item><item><title>Softball Unveils Schedule for 20th Season</title><link>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/9/softball-unveils-schedule-for-20th-season.aspx</link><guid>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/9/softball-unveils-schedule-for-20th-season.aspx</guid><category>Softball</category><s:teaser><![CDATA[SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Drury softball head coach Brooke Gajewski released the program's 2027 schedule on Nov. 9 for the program's 20th season.]]></s:teaser><description><![CDATA[<img alt="foley_glvc_2026_umsl" src="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&image_path=/images/2026/11/9/55255870280_1943ebf7e7_o.jpg" /><br /><br /><strong>SPRINGFIELD, Mo.</strong> – Drury softball head coach Brooke Gajewski released the program's 2027 schedule on Nov. 9 for the program's 20th season.<br />
 <br />
The schedule begins with three early-season tournaments in Bentonville, Arkansas; Tahlequah, Oklahoma; and Smyrna, Tennessee. Across the full season, Drury will face 11 teams that reached the 2026 NCAA Division II National Tournament, including five regional champions, two super regional champions, and the national runner-up. The 56-game slate includes 20 home games at Thompson Field at Meador Park in Springfield.<br />
 <br />
The 2027 campaign will open in Arkansas for the Alvy Early Memorial Classic, where the Panthers will battle Arkansas Tech and Arkansas-Monticello on opening day, Feb. 6. The event will conclude on Feb. 7 when Drury faces East Central and Central Super Regional champion Missouri Southern.<br />
 <br />
Following the trip to Arkansas, Drury will head to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, for the Cherokee Nation Festival. While in Tahlequah, Drury will play Southeastern Oklahoma State and Central Oklahoma on Feb. 12, followed by Washburn and Sul Ross State on Feb. 13.<br />
 <br />
Drury's third consecutive early-season tournament will be hosted by Trevecca Nazarene in Smyrna, Tennessee. The Panthers will face five Gulf South Conference teams over a six-game stretch. The event opens on Feb. 19 with games against Ashland and Union. It will continue on Feb. 20 with two games against Delta State and Lee before concluding on Feb. 21 against Alabama Huntsville and Trevecca Nazarene.<br />
 <br />
The Panthers will step out of tournament play to open Thompson Field with six straight home games, beginning March 4 with a doubleheader against Pittsburg State, followed by two games against Purdue Northwest on March 6. The homestand concludes March 7 with a twin bill against Augustana.<br />
 <br />
Drury will play its first road doubleheader of the season on March 9 at Emporia State.<br />
 <br />
The Panthers return to tournament play March 13-14 when they travel to Mansfield, Ohio, to face Seton Hill and Hillsdale across the two-day event.<br />
 <br />
Drury's nonconference schedule concludes March 17 with a doubleheader at Rogers State.<br />
 <br />
Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play begins March 21 when the Panthers travel to national tournament qualifier Missouri S&T.<br />
 <br />
Drury's first home GLVC games come March 27 when the Panthers host Southwest Baptist for a Saturday doubleheader.<br />
 <br />
Other notable GLVC matchups include a trip to Rockhurst on April 4. The Hawks captured the GLVC Tournament title last season. The Panthers then host Indianapolis on April 25 in the Greyhounds' final season in the GLVC, one year after Indianapolis won a Midwest Regional title. Drury's final road games of the regular season come May 2 against national runner-up McKendree.<br />
 <br />
The regular season concludes May 8 when the Panthers host Missouri-St. Louis.<br />
 <br />
The GLVC Tournament will be held in Crown Point, Indiana, from May 12-15. The top eight teams in the conference standings will advance to the double-elimination tournament.<br />
 <br />
Chattanooga, Tennessee, will once again host the NCAA Division II Softball World Series from June 3-9.<br />
 <br />
Drury returns all-conference pitcher Jordyn Foley. Foley posted a 15-12 record with a 2.88 ERA and 16 complete games last season. Other key returners include Reece Anderson, Landry Cochran, Natalie Wilks, Claire Nelson, and Jordan Meng.<br />
 <br />
Drury finished last season with a 27-29 record, reaching the GLVC Tournament semifinals for the second consecutive season.<br />
 <br />
<strong>FOLLOW THE PANTHERS</strong><br />
For all the latest information on Drury athletics, please visit <a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/softball">drurypanthers.com</a>. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Panthers on <a href="https://x.com/drurysb">X</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Drury-University-Softball-100054222729074/">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drurysb/">Instagram</a>.

<div style="text-align: center;"><em>#OneDrury</em></div>]]></description><media:thumbnail url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_system&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/9/55255870280_1943ebf7e7_o.jpg" /><media:content url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/9/55255870280_1943ebf7e7_o.jpg"><media:title>foley_glvc_2026_umsl</media:title></media:content><enclosure url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/9/55255870280_1943ebf7e7_o.jpg" length="1" type="image/jpg" /><pubDate>Mon, 9 Nov 2026 13:15:00 CST</pubDate><s:sport_id>14</s:sport_id><s:story_id>16857</s:story_id></item><item><title>Bray Collects Third GLVC Setter of the Week Honor</title><link>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/9/volleyball-bray-collects-third-glvc-setter-of-the-week-honor.aspx</link><guid>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/9/volleyball-bray-collects-third-glvc-setter-of-the-week-honor.aspx</guid><category>Volleyball</category><s:teaser><![CDATA[After delivering back-to-back double-doubles and helping spearhead Drury volleyball's upset of No. 19 Indianapolis over the weekend, junior Jacy Bray has added another Athletic Solutions Great Lakes Valley Conference Setter of the Week honor to her 2026 resume, the league office announced Monday.]]></s:teaser><description><![CDATA[<img alt="Bray" src="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&image_path=/images/2026/11/9/26_Bray01.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>INDIANAPOLIS —</strong> A<span style="color:#000000;">fter delivering back-to-back double-doubles and helping spearhead </span>Drury volleyball's upset of No. 19 Indianapolis over the weekend, junior <strong>Jacy Bray<i> </i></strong>has added another<strong><i> </i></strong></span><span style="color:#000000;">Athletic Solutions Great Lakes Valley Conference Setter of the Week honor to her 2026 resume, the league office announced Monday.<br />
<br />
<span style="color:#000000;">The GLVC Setter of the Week honor is the third for Bray in 2026, and the sixth weekly conference honor for a Panther, which represents an all-time season high for the DU program.</span><br />
<br />
Bray registered her 17th and 18th double-doubles of the season in Drury's two matches last week, racking up a GLVC-best 71 total assists. The junior from Nixa, Mo., led the Panthers to a straight-set upset of No. 19 Indianapolis on Friday, finishing with 32 assists, 12 digs, three blocks and six kills on .545 hitting. She followed that effort with a 39-assist, 14-dig afternoon against Lewis, finishing the weekend with averages of 8.88 assists and 3.25 digs per set.<br />
<br />
For the season Bray ranks second in the GLVC in total assists (1,024), while her 10.24 assist-per-set average is third in the conference. She also ranks eighth in the circuit in digs per set (3.81).<br />
<br />
<strong>UP NEXT</strong><br />
The Panthers (20-8, 9-4 GLVC) look to solidify their postseason position at the GLVC Volleyball Championship this week, beginning with a quarterfinal round match against fourth-seeded Maryville at Williamsville High School Fieldhouse in Williamsville, Ill.<br />
<br />
For all the latest information on Drury volleyball, visit </span><a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/womens-volleyball"><span style="color:#000000;">drurypanthers.com</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Panthers on </span><a href="https://x.com/DruryVB"><span style="color:#000000;">X</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> and </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/druryuniversity_volleyball/"><span style="color:#000000;">Instagram</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">.</span>

<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><em>#OneDrury</em></strong></span></p>]]></description><media:thumbnail url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_system&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/9/26_Bray01.jpg" /><media:content url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/9/26_Bray01.jpg"><media:title>Bray</media:title></media:content><enclosure url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/9/26_Bray01.jpg" length="1" type="image/jpg" /><pubDate>Mon, 9 Nov 2026 14:00:00 CST</pubDate><s:sport_id>17</s:sport_id><s:story_id>16859</s:story_id></item><item><title>Triathlon Places Third at National Championships, Earns Three All-America Honors</title><link>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/8/triathlon-places-third-at-national-championships-earns-three-all-america-honors.aspx</link><guid>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/8/triathlon-places-third-at-national-championships-earns-three-all-america-honors.aspx</guid><category>Triathlon</category><s:teaser><![CDATA[TEMPE, Ariz. – Drury triathlon earned its third consecutive third-place finish among Division II programs Sunday at the NCAA National Championships, hosted by Arizona State.]]></s:teaser><description><![CDATA[<img alt="Tri at National Championship" src="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&image_path=/images/2026/11/8/IMG_6487.jpg" /><br /><br /><p><strong>TEMPE, Ariz. –</strong> Drury triathlon earned its third consecutive third-place finish among Division II programs Sunday at the NCAA National Championships, hosted by Arizona State.<br />
 <br />
The Panthers finished third among eight Division II programs, securing their third straight national podium finish. Wingate claimed the national championship, while Lenoir-Rhyne finished second. Cal Poly Humboldt followed Drury in fourth, with Colorado Mesa rounding out the top five.<br />
 <br />
Drury also earned three All-America honors, with Kristina Vestman, Katharina Scherb and Cayman Barnes receiving second-team recognition.<br />
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Senior Kristina Vestman led the Panthers, finishing eighth among Division II competitors with a time of 1:05:06. Freshman Katharina Scherb followed closely behind, placing 10th in 1:05:27, just 21 seconds behind Vestman. Both earned second-team All-America honors, with Vestman collecting her third consecutive second-team selection.<br />
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Sophomore Cayman Barnes added a 14th-place finish in 1:06:24, earning second-team All-America recognition after receiving honorable mention last season. Barnes' finish gave Drury three competitors among the top 14 in Division II.<br />
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Eszter Vas placed 28th in 1:11:32, while Shrebi Maharjan rounded out the Panthers' scoring five, finishing 29th in 1:11:35. Tylor Brino-Dean followed in 34th with a time of 1:13:43, while Ashleigh Thomas placed 38th in 1:15:32.<br />
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Due to unsafe water conditions at Tempe Town Lake, the national championship was contested as a duathlon rather than a traditional triathlon. The modified course consisted of a 2.5-kilometer run, a 20-kilometer bike ride, and a 5-kilometer run.</p>

<p><strong>FOLLOW THE PANTHERS</strong><br />
For all the latest information on Drury athletics, please visit <a href="https://drurypanthers.com/index.aspx"><span style="color:#000000;">drurypanthers.com</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Panthers on </span><a href="https://x.com/DruryXCTF"><span style="color:#000000;">X</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> and </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/druryxctf/"><span style="color:#000000;">Instagram</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">.</span></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><br />
<em>#OneDrury</em></p>]]></description><media:thumbnail url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_system&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/8/IMG_6487.jpg" /><media:content url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/8/IMG_6487.jpg"><media:title>Tri at National Championship</media:title></media:content><enclosure url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/8/IMG_6487.jpg" length="1" type="image/jpg" /><pubDate>Sun, 8 Nov 2026 19:30:00 CST</pubDate><s:sport_id>27</s:sport_id><s:story_id>16855</s:story_id></item><item><title>Wrestling Extends Win Streak to Four With Pair of Dual Victories</title><link>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/7/wrestling-extends-win-streak-to-four-with-pair-of-dual-victories.aspx</link><guid>https://drurypanthers.com/news/2026/11/7/wrestling-extends-win-streak-to-four-with-pair-of-dual-victories.aspx</guid><category>Wrestling</category><s:teaser><![CDATA[OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Drury men's wrestling extended its win streak to four Saturday afternoon, defeating New Mexico Highlands 21-17 and NAIA opponent Oklahoma City 22-21.]]></s:teaser><description><![CDATA[<img alt="Mason Knight Intrasquad " src="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&image_path=/images/2026/11/7/891A7863.jpg" /><br /><br /><p><strong>OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. –</strong> Drury men's wrestling extended its win streak to four Saturday afternoon, defeating New Mexico Highlands 21-17 and NAIA opponent Oklahoma City 22-21.<br />
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The Panthers opened the day with a 21-17 victory over New Mexico Highlands, winning six of 10 bouts. Garrett Salt led Drury with a pin at 141 pounds, while Graidy Rice, Bryson Humphries and Mason Knight earned decisions at 125, 133 and 149 pounds, respectively.<br />
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Jeremiah Halter added an 8-3 decision at 174 pounds, and Cole Robertson secured a 15-12 victory at 197 pounds. Rice also picked up a 5-2 decision in an extra match at 125 pounds.<br />
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Drury closed the day with a narrow 22-21 victory over Oklahoma City, winning five contested bouts and receiving a forfeit at 125 pounds. Salt earned a 1-0 decision at 141 pounds, while Knight followed with a 10-4 victory at 149 pounds.<br />
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Robertson picked up his second win of the day with a 6-5 decision at 197 pounds, while Hunter Tennison earned a victory by fall at heavyweight. Rice received a forfeit at 125 pounds, and the Panthers secured the dual with an additional team point on a tiebreaker.<br />
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<strong>DUAL RESULTS</strong><br />
<strong>DRURY 21, NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS 17</strong><br />
125: G. Rice (DU) DEC W. Hamilton (NMH), 10-6<br />
133: B. Humphries (DU) DEC R. Madrid (NMH), 6-4<br />
141: G. Salt (DU) FALL N. Gurule (NMH), 0:00<br />
149: M. Knight (DU) DEC C. Gorishek-Cobbin (NMH), 9-4<br />
157: S. Freeman (NMH) FALL J. Kuster (DU), 0:00<br />
165: I. Smith Jr. (NMH) TF T. Abell (DU), 19-3 (0:00)<br />
174: J. Halter (DU) DEC R. Taylor (NMH), 8-3<br />
184: K. Mir (NMH) DEC C. Kivett (DU), 9-3<br />
197: C. Robertson (DU) DEC P. Chobot (NMH), 15-12<br />
285: K. Benally (NMH) DEC H. Tennison (DU), 3-1<br />
<br />
<strong>DRURY 22, OKLAHOMA CITY 21</strong><br />
125: G. Rice (DU) FORFEIT<br />
133: V. Citrano (OKCU) DEC B. Humphries (DU), 2-1<br />
141: G. Salt (DU) DEC K. Wallace (OKCU), 1-0<br />
149: M. Knight (DU) DEC J. Province (OKCU), 10-4<br />
157: J. Moon (OKCU) MD J. Kuster (DU), 11-0<br />
165: M. Ashley (OKCU) MD T. Abell (DU), 8-0<br />
174: W. Madden (OKCU) MD J. Halter (DU), 10-1<br />
184: C. Olguin (OKCU) FALL C. Kivett (DU), 0:00<br />
197: C. Robertson (DU) DEC L. Brooks (OKCU), 6-5<br />
285: H. Tennison (DU) FALL G. Gagnon (OKCU), 0:00<br />
Tiebreaker: Drury awarded one team point.<br />
 <br />
<strong>UP NEXT</strong><br />
Drury returns home Saturday, Nov. 14, for duals against Kentucky Wesleyan and Grand Valley State at Weiser Gym.<br />
<br />
<strong>FOLLOW THE PANTHERS</strong><br />
For all the latest information on Drury athletics, please visit <a href="https://drurypanthers.com/sports/wrestling"><span style="color:#000000;">drurypanthers.com</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Panthers on </span><a href="https://x.com/Drury_Wrestling"><span style="color:#000000;">X</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/drurywrestling/"><span style="color:#000000;">Instagram</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, and </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DruryWrestling/"><span style="color:#000000;">Facebook</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">.</span></p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><br />
<em>#WonDrury</em></p>]]></description><media:thumbnail url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_system&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/7/891A7863.jpg" /><media:content url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/7/891A7863.jpg"><media:title>Mason Knight Intrasquad </media:title></media:content><enclosure url="https://drurypanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_prefix=rp_primary&amp;image_path=/images/2026/11/7/891A7863.jpg" length="1" type="image/jpg" /><pubDate>Sat, 7 Nov 2026 20:09:00 CST</pubDate><s:sport_id>30</s:sport_id><s:story_id>16854</s:story_id></item></channel></rss>