KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan volleyball opens up Mid-American Conference play this weekend hosting Ball State and Toledo, Sept. 21-22 inside University Arena.
Game Information
Friday, Sept. 21: Ball State (9-4, 0-0 MAC) vs.
Western Michigan (10-4, 0-0 MAC)
LIVE STATS |
WATCH (ESPN3)
Saturday, Sept. 22: Toledo (5-6, 0-0 MAC) vs.
Western Michigan (10-4, 0-0 MAC)
LIVE STATS |
WATCH (ESPN +)
Ticket Information
Tickets to Western Michigan volleyball matches can be purchased by visiting
wmubroncos.com/tickets or by calling the Bronco Ticket Office at 1-888-4-WMU-Tix.
Scouting the Broncos
Entering MAC play the Broncos have solidified themselves as one of the best offensive teams in the conference, ranking second in hitting percentage and third in kills per set. Defensively, WMU has held opponents to a .186 hitting percentage and ranks fifth in the MAC in blocks per set.
Non-Conference Success
This season the Broncos recorded 10 non-conference victories, the most since doing so back in 2011. Of the 10 victories, four have come by way of a sweep.
Record Watch
Senior
Mary Murphy, junior
Kathleen Reilly and sophomore
Rachel Bontrager look to climb their way up the WMU record books this season:
• Murphy ranks 2
nd at WMU in career assists and needs just 201 to become WMU's all-time assists leader
• Reilly currently ranks sixth in program history in career digs with 1,454.
• Bontrager needs just 368 kills to become the 25
th member of WMU's 1,000-kill club.
Bronco Facts
When winning the first set this season the Broncos have a record of 9-1 … WMU is 7-2 during the month of September … The Broncos have a record of 6-1 on matches taking place on Saturday.
On the Horizon
After the home weekend the Brown & Gold embark on a season long four-match road swing beginning on Thursday, Sept. 27 at Northern Illinois. WMU then plays at Bowling Green, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan.
Scouting the Competition
Ball State – BSU is currently riding a four-match win streak and has an overall record of 9-4 heading into Friday's contest. Last weekend the Cardinals at the Tiger Invitational, hosted by Townson University defeated UMBC, Townsend and La Salle.
Toledo – Prior to heading to Kalamazoo the Rockets take on the Huskies of Northern Illinois on Friday. Toledo has an overall record of 5-6 and last weekend won matches against Bucknell and Youngstown State at the Zips Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
MAC Volleyball on ESPN Plus
As part of the Mid-American Conference broadcast rights owned by ESPN, several MAC athletic events will now be streamed on ESPN +. ESPN+ is an internet-stream only platform (separate from ESPN3) and is not included in cable subscription packages. ESPN+ accounts are ordered through the ESPN app and cost $4.99/month or $49.99/year.
