Tim Koth Head Coach | Wayne State University Athletics Website
Tim Koth Head Coach | Wayne State University Athletics Website
The Wayne State University volleyball team is set to open its Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) schedule this weekend at home after tying its best start to a season since 2016. The Warriors, who hold a 6-1 record, will host Saginaw Valley State on Friday at 7 p.m. and Lake Superior State on Saturday at 4 p.m., both matches taking place at the Matthaei Center.
Head coach Tim Koth commented on the upcoming games: "We are looking forward to the opening of GLIAC play against Saginaw Valley State and Lake Superior State. It should be an exciting opening weekend at the Matthaei."
Wayne State’s strong early performance included two wins in three matches last week at Daemen's Wildcat Classic in Amherst, New York. The team lost a four-set match to Dallas Baptist but followed up with straight-set victories over Clarion and Daemen. All three opponents participated in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, with Dallas Baptist reaching the round of 32.
Senior middle blocker Kayla Giroux and junior outside hitter Paige Giehtbrock were named to Daemen's Wildcat Classic All-Tournament Team for their efforts during those matches. Giroux recorded a .313 hitting percentage with 36 kills and Giehtbrock tallied 22 kills along with her first double-double as a Warrior.
Other notable performances came from redshirt senior Leigha Baldwin, who had 23 kills and led the team with 12 blocks, while freshman Katerina Stout contributed 14 kills on a .333 hitting percentage. Kayla Dulgar provided six service aces and led in assists with 91, while Kendyl Andrews added defensively with 43 digs.
Saginaw Valley State enters conference play with a balanced record of four wins and four losses under second-year head coach Lana Rybkowski. Their offense has been led by five players including Rachel Townsend (67 kills) and Chloe Vanwinkle (66 kills), while Townsend also leads defensively with 75 digs.
Lake Superior State comes into the weekend seeking its first win of the season under new head coach Eric Snyder, having yet to secure a victory or win a set so far this year. Key contributors include freshman Elisa Rizzoli (25 kills) on offense and sophomore Mia Garcia (36 digs) on defense.
Both opponents present different challenges for Wayne State as it begins GLIAC competition aiming to build on its successful start to the season.
Alerts Sign-up