Bruin Athletics Weekend Preview: Sept. 16-18
BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Three Bellevue University athletic teams – volleyball, men's soccer, and women's soccer – are all at home this weekend. Volleyball gets the action started with their match Friday night (7 p.m.), followed by women's soccer on Saturday afternoon (4 p.m.), and men's soccer wrapping up the weekend's home slate on Sunday afternoon (3 p.m.).
Today, BUBruins.com gives you a quick preview of this weekend's action.
Volleyball (11-5): vs. Presentation | Gordon Lozier Athletic Center | Friday, 7 p.m.
Winners of eight of their previous nine matches, the Bellevue volleyball team returns home for their 2016 North Star Athletic Association Opener against Presentation College on Friday evening at 7 p.m. at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.
Last weekend BU won all four games at the Evangel Classic with sweeps over Tabor, Saint Mary, and Ozarks as well as a come-from-behind win over #20 Evangel.
The 19th-ranked Bruins saw their efforts rewarded as Taylor Holz and Maddie Squiers were rewarded with NAIA Defender and Setter of the Week accolades, respectively.
Presentation, following a 3-4 start, has dropped five straight to dip to 3-9 overall. The Saints are just 1-3 in true road games this season and are looking to avenge last year's sweep at the hands of the Bruins. PC is led offensively by Maria Nightingale (148 kills, .222) and Haylee Biel (91 kills, .346) while Mallori Rabenberg leads the club with 228 digs on defense.
Kill Leaders: Pakalana Helekahi (183, 2.95/set), Mikaylah Gillespie (147, 2.33/set), Shayla Scanlan (139, 2.53/set)
Dig Leaders: Taylor Holz (282, 4.48/set), Verenice Chaparro (167, 3.09/set), Maddie Squiers (145, 2.30/set)
Assist Leaders: Maddie Squiers (671, 10.65/set)
Block Leaders: Hope Lambrecht (63), Mikaylah Gillespie 961), Shayla Scanlan (53)
Men's Soccer (3-4-2): vs. Hastings | Bellevue Soccer Club | Sunday, 3 p.m.
The Bruins' men's soccer team looks to continue their unbeaten ways of the last week. Bellevue is unbeaten in their last three contests with wins over John Brown and Midland and an away draw to McPherson. The team hosts Hastings College on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. at Bellevue Soccer Club.
Earlier this week, Bellevue edged Midland, 1-0, on a second half penalty from Daniel Coupland. Ben Martin made seven saves in the win to notch his first clean sheet of the campaign.
Hastings looks to be a strong side as they've hit the ground running in 2016 with a 6-0-0 record. The Broncos have already knocked off 2015 National Tournament sides Science & Arts, Baker, and Lyon. They haven't conceded a goal in their last four games and are currently riding a 360 minute shutout streak. Joe White has been strong in goal with 16 saves and a 0.50 goals against average. Offensively, Hastings is paced by Daniel Whitehall's eight goals while Adam Knight, Lucas Venegas, and Marc Tautz have all scored twice.
Goal Leaders: Daniel Coupland (3), Andres Blanco (2), Finlay Bloodworth (2), Scott Robson (2), Jonas Starkus (2), Edgar Guzman (1), Rob Smith (1)
Assist Leaders: Scott Robson (6), Finlay Bloodworth (1), JT Cronin (1), Rob Smith (1)
Keepers: Ben Martin (3-4-2, 50 Saves)
Women's Soccer (3-3-0): vs. Morningside | Bellevue Soccer Club | Saturday, 4 p.m.
The BU women's soccer team plays their second of back-to-back home matches at Bellevue Soccer Club on Saturday when they host Morningside College at 3 p.m.
Bellevue won their first game this week, 2-1, against Concordia. Jordyn Seidel scored twice for the Bruins who never trailed in that contest. Laurence Rodier made nine saves in goal to even the BU record at 3-3-0.
Morningside enters play with an identical 3-3-0 overall record. The Mustangs have won three games in a row while scoring 10 goals during that time. Most recently, Morningside edge College of Saint Mary 3-2 in overtime. The Mustangs are led by Amy Grause's four goals and three assists. Samantha Anderson and Jackie Martinez have found the back of the net three and two times, respectively. Niccole McGuire has seen the bulk of play in net with all six starts going her way. She's stopped 21 shots and owns a 2.13 goals against average.
Goal Leaders: Maiwut Dar (3), Jordyn Seidel (3), Michelle Dolder (2), Lauren Clark (1), Madison Lambert (1), Kaleigh Young (1)
Assist Leaders: Reyvin Hernandez (3), Laurence Clark (1), Michelle Dolder (1), Kristin Hanson (1), Madison Lambert (1), Eliany Parra (1), Jordyn Seidel (1)
Keepers: Laurence Rodier (3-3-0, 26 Saves), Bailey Petzoldt (0-0-0, 5 Saves)