DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Duhawks hit the road for four games in three days, beginning with a triangular at Trinity International University on Friday before heading north to Wisconsin for a triangular on Sunday at Lakeland College.

ABOUT CALUMET COLLEGE OF ST. JOSEPH
Calumet College is suffering a losing streak upon the reintroduction of their program. This match will be the first meeting for the Crimson Wave and the Duhawks.

Both the Crimson Wave and the Duhawks have yet to pull off a win. History will be made for whichever team can pull off this victory.

In order for Loras to be successful in this match they need to be aggressive at the net and minimize their service errors. The Duhawks have the potential to play a great game once they get the ball in play.

ABOUT TRINITY INTERNATIONAL
Trinity International has had a rough start to their season with a five-game losing streak. This will be the first matchup between the Trojans and the Duhawks.

Senior David Priest leads Trinity in hitting currently averaging 4.65 kills per set. David Swanson is another strong force at the net for the Trojans averaging 2.75 kills per set.

Offense is definitely Trinity's strong suit. Swanson and David will continue to attack the ball. Loras will really need to step up on defense in terms of blocking and passing to combat the Trojan's net presence.

ABOUT LAKELAND
The Muskies are coming into the weekend's triangular strong following a three-game winning streak. The team has an overall record of 8-4 are 3-1 in MCVL play.

The Muskies are led by Alec Redlich who is currently averaging 4.42 kills per set and has recorded 199 on the year. Kyle Krogstad is another key player on the Lakeland roster recording 73 kills on the year.

Tim Robbins is a strong defensive players for the Muskies. Entering the weekend he averages 1.00 block per set with 44.0 on the year. Loras will need to combat this with solid net presence and coverage.

ABOUT STEVENS
Loras' toughest test of the weekend comes in the finale on Sunday against top-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology. The Ducks enter the weekend with a 9-3 overall record and are winners of their last three.

Stevens finished the 2014 season as the runner-up to Juniata in last year's national championship.

The Ducks are led by David Evans who averages 3.57 kills per set with 100 on the year. Evans is joined by Ryan Seifert, currently averaging 3.06 kills per set.

On defense, middle hitter Etan Bennett leads the Ducks with 1.08 blocks per set and 26 on the year. As a team Stevens also has a dominate height advantage. The Duhawks must find a way to adjust to these factors to pull off the upset.

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, Illinois product has led the Duhawks with 121 assists on the year averaging 4.17 a set. His teammate and Las Vegas native, Marquez is not far behind averaging 3.59 assists per set and 104 assists on the year. Head 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.

BUILDING A PROGRAM
While the Duhawks are still looking for their first win, standing at 0-8, 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. 23rd intercollegiate athletic program.