DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Duhawks will enjoy the comforts of home this week as they host Wartburg in IIAC play on Tuesday night before welcoming seven teams to the Athletic & Wellness Center for the annual IIAC-NACC Crossover Challenge.

LAST MEETING VERSUS WARTBURG •••
Last season the Duhawks were defeated by the Knights 3-1 (25-14, 16-25, 21-25, 17-25). Loras took set one, dominating the Knights 25-14. Using a .520 hitting percentage Loras look as if they would pull the upset over Wartburg. Wartburg however would bounce right back to outhit the Duhawks over the course of the next three sets.  Loras was led on offense by Danni Kennedy, who tallied 9 kills on .250 hitting. Jenna Erickson and Haley Bergan each made strong performances tallying 14 assists, and 24 digs respectively.

SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS •••
Having won five of their last six matches, the Knights find themselves receiving votes in the AVCA top 25 polls. More impressive is that the Knights have won six of nine matches with three set sweeps. In their nine victories, Wartburg opponents have mustered just four set wins with no team winning more than one. As a team, the Knights have held their opponents to a .119 hitting percentage and a lowly 9.6 kills per set. Wartburg's offense is led by outside hitter Krystal Graves, who in 11 matches has recorded a team-leading 112 kills. Setter Emma Harmeyer has set her up for success, providing 330 assists to the Knights attack. Defensively, the Knights have been led by middle hitter Kaity Brouwer with 34 total blocks, and defensive setter Jaime Farley who has totaled 190 digs thus far.

LAST MEETING VERSUS MSOE •••
It's been six years since these teams last met at the Sugar Loaf Classic in Winona, Minn. Loras defeated the raiders by a final of 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-15). Offensively, the Duhawks were paced by Brittney Westermeyer and Julie Rogers. Westermeyer led the team in both kills (11) and hitting percentage (.450) for the game while Rogers collected 32 assists. On the defensive side of the ball, four different Duhawks collected 10 or more digs in this three-set sweep.

SCOUTING THE RAIDERS •••
MSOE enters this week winless in each of their previous three matches. Prior to this stretch however, MSOE went a combined 9-1 to start their season.  MSOE has a very balanced attack, with three players tallying 100 plus kills through their first 13 matches.  Setter Abby Born shined for the Raiders, averaging 8.98 assists per set and 413 assists on the young season. Rather than their libero, MSOE is led in digs by junior outside hitter Sarabeth Haworth with 171. Up front, Kasey Mylin and Leah Hendricks have set a tone with a combined 66 blocks between the two seniors. From a statistical standpoint, the Duhawks have outplayed the Raiders in many categories this season. In two conference matches, the Raiders have hit .078 which could be more telling of their overall ability.

LAST MEETING VERSUS MARIAN •••
Loras last met the Sabres in 2008 at the Saint Mary's Sugar Loaf Classic. The Duhawks disposed of the Sabres in three sets 3-0 (25-8, 25-12, 25-13). Kate Russell led the Duhawks with 12 kills over three sets with a .429 hitting percentage whic was held by comitting just three erros. Jenny Dziubla led the team in both assists (33) and digs (10). Dziubla entered this contest having been named to an All-Tournament team a week prior at Monmouth College Invitational tournament.

SCOUTING THE SABRES •••
Following a 10-19 performance last season, the Sabres are off to a slow start at 1-11 and are currently riding a six game losing streak heading into the fourth week of their season. Their lone win of the season came against Lawrence University who currently stands at 1-14. Away from home this season, the Sabres have hit .058 as a team with 98 kills as opposed to 77 errors in three matches. In total, they're hitting .093 as a team this season. Marian is led on offense by junior outside hitter Jessica Roberts who currently averages 3.12 kills per set. Assisting her is sopohomore setter Amber Baker who heads into the week averaging 7.49 assists per set.

LAST MEETING VERSUS BENEDICTINE •••
These sides last met at the IIAC-NACC Crossover Challenge last season with Loras coming away victorious 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-15). In terms of kills the Duhawks were led by Miriam McKee who notched six kills on 13 attacks, good for a .385 hitting percentage for the match. Jenna Erickson and Haley Bergan were also key contriibutors for Loras, notching 16 assists and 20 digs respectively. Beckie Whitmarsh led the way for Benedictine, tallying 11 kills on the day.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES•••
After starting the yar 4-0, the Eagles have won just two of their last seven matches with wins over Alverno and Lake Forest. The Eagles have yet to beat and IIAC opponent this season, losing to both Simpson College and Central College at the Aurora Tournament earlier in September. Benedictine features a multitude of attackers, with six players racking up 37 plus kills. Kara epping leads the team in that department with 73 in 34 sets. Beckie Whitmarsh who Loras saw a lot of last season, leads the team in kills per set with 2.42 but has played in 19 of a possible 36 sets. Poor hitting has plagued the Eagles in recent weeks, hitting under .100 in three of their five losses.

LAST MEETING VERSUS LAKELAND •••
Much like Benedictine, Lakeland last faced the Duhawks in last season IIAC-NACC Crossover Challenge. Loras defeated the Muskies by a final score of 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-19). Danni Kennedy led returning players in kills with nine on 16 total attempts, good for a .375 hitting percentage. Kennedy also added a combined five blocks against the Muskies. Loras had no problems with the Muskie attack either, with 15 errors being committed on the attacking end.

SCOUTING THE MUSKIES •••
Entering this week Lakeland rides a three-game winning streak, of which they haven't dropped a single set. The Muskies have faced off against three ranked teams this season, so they've certianly learned how to play against tougher competition despite going 0-3 in those matches. Lakeland also defeated Luther College 3-0, prior to Luther defeating Loras by the same mark last week. Taylor Levitt plays a key role for the Muskies, leading the team in both service aces  (18) and assists (327). Levitt also plays a key role on defense, contributing 108 digs thus far.