Volleyball Opens Up Season at Fort Wayne Invitational
8/24/2017 3:20:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Toledo, Ohio – Toledo volleyball opens up its 2017 campaign on the road at the Fort Wayne Invitational presented by Hyatt Place on Friday, Aug.25 against SIU Edwardsville. The Rockets will also take on Quinnipiac and host Fort Wayne on Saturday, Aug. 26 inside the Gates Sports Center.
Friday, Aug. 25 (4:30 p.m.): SIU Edwardsville vs. Toledo | Live Stats
Saturday, Aug. 26 (10:00 a.m.): Quinnipiac vs. Toledo | Live Stats
Saturday, Aug. 26 (7:00 p.m.) Toledo at Fort Wayne | Live Stats
Scouting the Rockets
Last season, UT finished with an overall record of 16-14 (8-8 MAC) and made it to the second round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Toledo returns 11 letterwinners and four starters from last year's squad, including the senior duo of Saige Thomas (Corpus Christi, Texas) and Rachel Vidourek (Oxford, Ohio) who combined for 41 percent of the team's total kills in 2016.
Vidourek, Leonard named Preseason All-MAC West; Rockets picked to finish fourth in MAC West
Senior Rachel Vidourek (Oxford, Ohio) and junior Maurissa Leonard (Oregon, Ohio) earned Preseason All-MAC West honors while the Rockets were picked to finish fourth in the MAC West along with two first-place votes.
Non-Conference Success
UT enjoyed great non-conference success a season ago, recording seven victories. The seven victories ranked fourth most in the MAC and second in the MAC West division behind NCAA Tournament participant Northern Illinois.
Recruiting Class Tabbed as One of the Best
The 2017 recruiting class of Caleigh Barhorst, Rhyen Neal, Emma Swope and Chloee Kleespies was nationally recognized by PrepVolleyball.com, appearing on the website's High Honorable Mention listing of top incoming freshman.
Get the First One Out of the Way
Toledo seeks its first season-opening victory since defeating Houston in five sets back in 2012.
Scouting the Competition
SIU Edwardsville wrapped up 2016 with an overall record of 22-8 (13-3 OVC) and an appearance in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship game. SIUE was picked to finish third in the OVC this upcoming season and is led by preseason All-OVC selections Taylor Joens and Jackie Scott.
On Saturday morning, the Rockets will square off with Quinnipiac who was picked second in the preseason MAAC poll after registering a 21-13 (11-7 MAAC) record last year and a spot in the MAAC Tournament Championship game. The Bobcats are led by middle hitter Elizabeth Kloos who finished sixth in the conference with a .301 hitting percentage.
To end the tournament, UT will challenge host school Fort Wayne, who registered a record of 13-18 and 9-7 in Summit League play. The Mastodons return 10 players from last season including all-league outside hitter Nicole Rightnowar.
Live Streaming
All of the matches will be streamed via Pay-Per-View. There is a tournament option for all six matches for $10.95. Single games are $5.95.
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Friday, Aug. 25 (4:30 p.m.): SIU Edwardsville vs. Toledo | Live Stats
Saturday, Aug. 26 (10:00 a.m.): Quinnipiac vs. Toledo | Live Stats
Saturday, Aug. 26 (7:00 p.m.) Toledo at Fort Wayne | Live Stats
Scouting the Rockets
Last season, UT finished with an overall record of 16-14 (8-8 MAC) and made it to the second round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Toledo returns 11 letterwinners and four starters from last year's squad, including the senior duo of Saige Thomas (Corpus Christi, Texas) and Rachel Vidourek (Oxford, Ohio) who combined for 41 percent of the team's total kills in 2016.
Vidourek, Leonard named Preseason All-MAC West; Rockets picked to finish fourth in MAC West
Senior Rachel Vidourek (Oxford, Ohio) and junior Maurissa Leonard (Oregon, Ohio) earned Preseason All-MAC West honors while the Rockets were picked to finish fourth in the MAC West along with two first-place votes.
Non-Conference Success
UT enjoyed great non-conference success a season ago, recording seven victories. The seven victories ranked fourth most in the MAC and second in the MAC West division behind NCAA Tournament participant Northern Illinois.
Recruiting Class Tabbed as One of the Best
The 2017 recruiting class of Caleigh Barhorst, Rhyen Neal, Emma Swope and Chloee Kleespies was nationally recognized by PrepVolleyball.com, appearing on the website's High Honorable Mention listing of top incoming freshman.
Get the First One Out of the Way
Toledo seeks its first season-opening victory since defeating Houston in five sets back in 2012.
Scouting the Competition
SIU Edwardsville wrapped up 2016 with an overall record of 22-8 (13-3 OVC) and an appearance in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship game. SIUE was picked to finish third in the OVC this upcoming season and is led by preseason All-OVC selections Taylor Joens and Jackie Scott.
On Saturday morning, the Rockets will square off with Quinnipiac who was picked second in the preseason MAAC poll after registering a 21-13 (11-7 MAAC) record last year and a spot in the MAAC Tournament Championship game. The Bobcats are led by middle hitter Elizabeth Kloos who finished sixth in the conference with a .301 hitting percentage.
To end the tournament, UT will challenge host school Fort Wayne, who registered a record of 13-18 and 9-7 in Summit League play. The Mastodons return 10 players from last season including all-league outside hitter Nicole Rightnowar.
Live Streaming
All of the matches will be streamed via Pay-Per-View. There is a tournament option for all six matches for $10.95. Single games are $5.95.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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