KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan volleyball kicks off its 2019 campaign with three games in Fort Wayne, Ind., as part of the Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational, Aug. 30-31.
Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational | Gates Sports Center | Fort Wayne, Ind.
Friday, Aug. 30:
Western Michigan vs. South Alabama | 11am |
LIVE STATS |
VIDEO
Friday, Aug. 30:
Western Michigan at Purdue Fort Wayne | 7pm |
LIVE STATS |
VIDEO
Saturday, Aug. 31:
Western Michigan vs. Northern Kentucky | 1:30 pm |
LIVE STATS |
VIDEO
Scouting the Broncos
The Broncos have 11 returning from last season while welcoming six newcomers to the 2019 roster. Last season WMU finished with an overall record of 16-14 and 6-10 in Mid-American Conference play.
MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
WMU was picked to finish second in the MAC West in the preseason coaches' poll with one first place vote. The Brown & Gold also earned one first place vote to win the MAC regular season and tournament title.
Bontrager Named Preseason All-MAC West
Junior
Rachel Bontrager was named to the preseason All-MAC West team on Tuesday after earning First Team All-MAC honors in 2018. Bontrager last season ranked third in the MAC with 435 kills.
Nearing 1,000
Rachel Bontrager is on track to eclipse the 1,000-kill mark this season. Bontrager needs just 145 kills to become the 25
th player in school history to do so.
We Dig It!
Senior
Kathleen Reilly heads into her final season for the Broncos ranking third in school history with 1,741 digs.
Non-Conference Tournaments
WMU will compete in four non-conference tournaments including hosting IUPUI, Auburn and Michigan State as part of the Delta Hotel by Marriott Kalamazoo Conference Center Tournament, Sept. 20-21. The Broncos begin conference play at home against in-state rival Eastern Michigan on Friday, Sept. 27.
Bronco Ticket Information
For information on how to purchase season or single-game tickets for Western Michigan volleyball, visit
wmubroncos.com/tickets or call the Bronco Ticket Office at 1-888-4-WMU-Tix.
Scouting the Competition
South Alabama – The Jaguars finished last season with an overall record of 13-17 and were picked to finish fourth in the Sun Belt East Division. South Alabama is led by senior middle blocker Kelley Hartman who earned Second Team All-Sun Belt last season.
Purdue Fort Wayne – Last season the Mastodons finished 18-14 and made it to the Summit League Tournament Semifinals before falling to Denver. In 2019, Purdue Fort Wayne was picked to finish fourth in the preseason Summit League Coaches' Poll.
Northern Kentucky – NKU finished last season with a 21-10 record and made it to the Horizon League Tournament Championship match. The Norse continued with postseason play, falling to MAC Foe Miami in three sets in the first round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship. This season Northern Kentucky was picked to finish second in the Horizon League.
