DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras women's volleyball team will take its 5–4 record down 151 this week for two matches against Coe and Cornell on Wednesday and Thursday.  In the Duhawks' matchup with the Kohawks, head coach Jenna Ness and Loras will officially kick off Iowa Conference play, after posting a 5–2 IIAC record and making a conference championship appearance in 2015. The Duhawks will then have a quick turnaround as they prepare for the Rams in a non-conference matchup on Thursday night in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

LAST TIME VERSUS COE

Loras dropped the Kohawks at home on Lillis Court in four sets (25–20, 27–29, 31–29, 25–22). Seniors Therese Schultz and Danni Kennedy led the Duhawk attack with 14 kills each.  Sophomore Claire Ritchie racked up a triple-double (12 kills, 31 assists, 17 digs) in Loras' win.

KOHAWKS TO WATCH

Coe enters Iowa Conference play with a 5–4 overall record and is coming off a 3–1 weekend at the Illinois Wesleyan Tournament. Sophomore Lindsey Koch leads Coe with 98 kills and brings a 3.2 kills per set average into the first conference matchup of the season for the Kohawks. Defensively, sophomore Madi Miller has recorded 156 digs in nine matches, a five digs per set average.

LAST TIME VERSUS CORNELL

In a tightly-contested matchup, the Duhawks bested the Rams (25–21, 25–15, 25–20) last season in Mount Vernon, Iowa.  Sophomore Claire Ritchie posted a team-high 11 kills and 19 assists in the victory.

RAMS TO WATCH

Despite the 4–5 record, Cornell is off to a great start in 2016 following an impressive showing at the Loras Invitational.  The Rams took down No. 13 Carthage and Gustavus Adolphus as part of a 3–1 weekend in Dubuque.  Senior Diamond Boyd has posted 156 kills and 4.46 kills per set average to lead Cornell offensively.  Fellow senior attacker Lauren Ahart ranks second for the Rams with 90 kills and first in total blocks with 23.0.  Both Ahart and Boyd were recognized as part of the Loras Invitational All-Tournament Team.

THE KEY LIES IN THE IIAC

Sitting at 5–4 overall, the Duhawks will look to pick up where they left off last season as they open conference play this week at Coe. Last season, the Duhawks went 5–2 during the conference season and advanced to the IIAC Tournament Final. In 2015, Loras entered conference play with a 4–6 record and found its stride once IIAC play ramped up, ending the season with an overall record of 22–13. 

BUDDEN'S IMPACT

The freshman from Hazel Green, Wis. has been a bright spot for the Duhawks early on in the season. Traditionally a middle blocker, Michelle Budden has excelled playing the right side position. Having her on the right side of the net allows her impressive block to shut down opposing hitters with the help of senior middle blockers Danni Kennedy and Therese Schultz. Currently, Budden is third on the team in blocks for Loras with 12.0 and her .296 hitting percentage, which ranks first on the team.

HOME WIN STREAK SNAPPED

The Duhawks had their 11-game home match winning streak snapped in a 3–0 decision against No. 13 Carthage on Friday night at the Loras Invitational. Loras was victorious in its first two home contests of 2016 against UW-Platteville on Wednesday night and Augustana to open play on Friday, extending the streak to 11 straight matches. The streak nearly went a full calendar year, dating back to the Duhawks' loss to Wheaton on Sept. 12, 2015.  Following two games on the road this week, the Duhawks will look to get back to their winning ways at home against crosstown-rival University of Dubuque on Sept. 20, who they swept in the last road regular season game of 2015. 

BERGAN BACK IN THE LINEUP

The libero for the Duhawks has been off to a great start in the 2016 season. After not being able to play in the season opening tournament, junior Haley Bergan has 92 digs and six receiving errors. After opening the season with 18 digs against UW-Platteville, Bergan continued her great play at the Loras Invite posting 74 digs in 12 sets. As a result of Bergan's strong defensive play this weekend, she was named to the Loras Invitational All-Tournament Team. Bergan needs 54 digs to move into second all-time in Loras history.