Shockers travel to Iowa to face UNI and Drake

After sweeping Evansville on Monday, Wichita State volleyball prepares to face the University of Northern Iowa on Friday night in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Drake on Saturday night in Des Moines, Iowa.

The UNI Panthers are 9-9 on the season overall, and 3-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Ranked sixth in the MVC, the Panthers are coached by Bobbi Peterson and are hitting .179 percent, while opponents hit .204. They are led by Kayla Haneline, averaging 1.15 blocks and 3.15 kills per set.

University of Northern Iowa has won the last 14 of 16 matches in the series against Wichita State.

Friday night’s game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and online at goshockers.com/watch.

The Shockers’ next opponent, the 12-10 Drake Bulldogs, are 3-2 in the Missouri Valley, and ranked fifth in the conference. Bulldog Makena Schoene is averaging 3.16 kills a set. As a team, the Bulldogs hit .178 percent while opponents hit .197. Drake is led by head coach Darrin McBroom.

Wichita State leads the series against Drake overall, 45-17, and 20-8 against Des Monies.

Saturday’s match up will be available online at goshockers.com/watch.

This week, Shocker redshirt Freshman outside hitter Shimen Fayad was named MVC Freshman of the Week after having a career-high 20 kills and .261 hitting percentage against Missouri State, and averaging five kills and 1.25 digs per set.

Currently ranked third in the MVC, Wichita State has the second highest hitting percentage and assists behind Loyola, third in kills, fourth in blocks and digs, and sixth in service aces.