Braves and Ravens Set for Clash in Volleyball Showdown
The upcoming volleyball match between Ottawa University (OU) and Benedictine College marks the 61st encounter between the two teams. Held on Saturday, this highly anticipated game will see the Ravens holding a dominant 44-16 series lead. However, Ottawa has found recent success, boasting a 4-1 record against Benedictine in their past five matchups. The last face-off occurred on September 14, 2024, where Benedictine edged out a close 3-2 victory in Wilson Field House.
Current Records and Performance
Both teams head into this match with identical overall records of 3-6. Benedictine, however, has managed a stronger home performance with a 2-0 record at their facility. The Ravens recently defeated Park University in a thrilling 3-2 contest.
In their previous outings on Tuesday, Ottawa faced off against RV Columbia College and RV Central Methodist University. They won convincingly against Columbia, taking the match 3-0, but struggled against Central Methodist, resulting in a 3-1 defeat.
Statistical Overview
Through the opening nine matches of the season, Ottawa has recorded the following averages:
- Kills per set: 11
- Assists per set: 10.03
- Blocks per set: 2.09
- Service aces per set: 1.23
- Digs per set: 15.71
Ottawa’s attacking percentage stands at .158, with notable rankings in NAIA statistics, including:
- 40th in solo blocks (29)
- 33rd in blocks per set (2.09)
- 28th in block errors (21)
Player Highlights for Ottawa
Key players for Ottawa this season include:
- Campbell Stark, who leads the team with 2.35 kills per set
- Makela Martinez, recording an average of 4.5 assists per set
- Carson Schuman, topping the squad with 3.9 digs per set
- Stark also leads in blocks per set, averaging 0.9
Benedictine’s Performance Metrics
On the other side, Benedictine’s statistics through nine matches reflect:
- Kills per set: 11.64
- Assists per set: 10.82
- Blocks per set: 1.23
- Service aces per set: 1.15
- Digs per set: 17.45
The Ravens’ attacking percentage sits at .146, with impressive rankings in the NAIA such as:
- 27th in digs per set (17.4)
- 23rd in ball handling errors (5)
Key Players for Benedictine
Leading contributors for Benedictine include:
- Barbara Terra, leading the team with 3.6 kills per set
- Wren Vancleave, who directs the offense with 8.7 assists per set
- Kelly DeMeulenaere, dominating defensively with 6.3 digs per set
- Rayleen Gladden, leading in blocks per set with 0.7
Conclusion
As both teams gear up for this critical matchup, the statistical landscape paints a competitive picture. Ottawa’s recent momentum against Benedictine could play a crucial role as they aim to leverage their past successes in this long-standing rivalry. Fans can anticipate an engaging showdown filled with high-energy plays from both sides.
