DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Duhawks will be looking to bounce back from last Saturday's MCVL opener in which they were swept 3-0 by Dominican. With another week of practice under their belts, this young team continues to make strides towards reaching their potential.
ABOUT CARTHAGE ...The Duhawks welcome Carthage College to town for an MCVL conference match on Saturday. After Carthage was named No. 5 in the AVCA preseason poll and picked to win the first MCVL title, the Red Men have fallen to No. 6 after a sweep by Lewis University in their home opener and 3-2 loss against No. 1 Juniata College.
Carthage is led in the front row by middle blocker Griffin Shields. Shields is averaging 3.36 kills a set and has 17 blocks on the season. Feeding the quick offensive attack is sophomore Tyler Saig who is averaging 9.33 assists a set.
Carthage's rapid offense is complimented by their dominant defense. The Red Men are hitting .236 on the year while holding their opponets to just .111 kill percentage.
BUILDING A PROGRAM …While the Duhawks are still looking for their first win, standing at 0-5, the team is able to look at the big picture and what they have accomplished. The lure of being a part of history and starting a new program drew many of the team's players in and the selling point is still working for Coach Thornburg as he currently has seven future Duhawks committed for the 2016 season.
KREISER STEPPING UP …With 12 freshman on the Duhawk roster, senior
Michael Kreiser has evolved into a leader during his time with the Duhawks. The transfer from Clarke University leads the team in 57 kills, averaging 2.48 kills per set. The Roselle, Ill native also has 55 digs on the season, only second to libero
Blair Anderson (61). Coach Thornburg has been impressed with Kreiser's on and off the court performance adding "Michael has never had to be a leader before but he's starting to realize that his voice and his opinion matter and it taking a lot of the pressure off of the other guys."
FRESHMAN DUO TAKE ON SETTING ROLES ...In their last 6 games, freshmen
Danny Krasich and
Shayne Marquez have spilt their setting duties as part of the Duahwks' 6-2 rotation. Krasich, an Oak Lawn, Ill. product has led the Duhawks with 102 assists on the year averaging 4.43 a set. His teammate and Las Vegas native, Marquez is not far behind averaging 3.32 assists per set and 74 assists on the year. Coach Thornburg commends the pair, adding that typically a setter role is reserved for an upperclassman on most teams, but Krasich and Marquez have embraced the role and are playing smart and confident while commanding their front rows.
GROWING AS A TEAM …Coming from many different backgrounds and styles of volleyball, this year's team has worked feverishly through the first month of the season to come to a level ground where they can all compete on the same page. Saturday's contest against Dominican should be a good indicator of the strides that the team has made.
FOLLOW THE DUHAWKS THIS SEASON …Be sure to keep tabs on everything Loras College Men's Volleyball by following the team on Twitter (@LorasMensVB and @LorasAthletics) over the course of their inaugural season. In game updates, post-game infographics, game recaps, and everyday updates can be found through their Twitter. #WelcomeMVB is the official hashtag of Friday'season opener as Loras Athletics welcomes the official start of it's 23rd intercollegiate athletic program.
LORAS SET TO COMPETE IN THE MCVL …Shortly after the announcement that men's volleyball would become the 23rd sport offered at Loras College, chatter of a men's volleyball conference intensified. A few months later, the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League was formed. With teams spread out across the midwest, the Duhawks are one of eight members in the conference's first year. An announcement earlier this fall stated the league would expand to 14 teams as early as next year with addition of several schools. With the league topping double-digits, next season will feature two division. This season the Duhawks will tack on the miles, playing games in five different states.
TALENTED DUO, FULL OF PERSONALITY, ON THE CALL …After Loras Men's Volleyball Coach
Jeremy Thornburg spent most of the fall on air calling the Loras Women's Volleyball games, sophomore Tara Blake and junior Harris Hunter are eager to return the favor. The charasmatic duo will be on the call for the first men's volleyball game in Loras history. Viewers unable to attend the match will be able to tune in via the Duhawk Broadcast Network where Tara Blake and Harris Hunter will call the action.
THORNBURG EAGER FOR OPPORTUNITY AT HELM …Thornburg is a graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) in Fort Wayne, Ind. As an undergraduate student and following his studies at IPFW, Thornburg served as a student assistant and team manager under American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame head coach Arnie Ball. In 2006 and 2007, the IPFW Mastodons reached the Final Four, finishing as national runners-up in 2007.
