Volleyball: Hawks open GLVC play at Drury

Rockhurst brings a 7-1 record into its Great Lake Valley Conference opener Friday night at Drury. The Hawks split their two matches with Drury last year. The Drury match can be followed on . On Saturday, Rockhurst travels to Missouri S&T. The Hawks fell twice to Missouri S&T in 2011. S&T topped the GLVC West Division preseason poll of league coaches, while Rockhurst finished third in the West.

SBU BEARCAT BASH: The Hawks posted a 3-1 record at the Southwest Baptist Bearcat Bash last weekend in Bolivar, Mo. Rockhurst defeated East Central (3-0), Northwestern Oklahoma State (3-1) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (3-1). The Hawks suffered their first loss of the season to seventh-ranked Washburn (3-0).

GLVC TEAM LEADERS: Rockhurst leads the GLVC in opponents hitting percentage (.117) and blocks (2.43 per set). The Hawks also rank second in hitting percentage (.249), fourth in kills (12.61 per set) and fifth in service aces (1.43) in the GLVC. Rockhurst also ranks seventh in assists in the GLVC (11.04).

FRESHMEN TRIO: Three freshmen for Rockhurst rank among conference Top 10 leaders in their respective categories. Kelsey Stratman is second in blocks (1.11 per set). Whitney Kostal ranks fifth in assists (9.89 per set). Katie Loescher stands sixth in kills (3.29 per set). Sophomore middle hitter Emily Ready ranks second in hitting percentage (.392) and junior libero Victoria Mahl is currently seventh in digs (4.25 per set) in the GLVC.

COACH TRACY RIETZKE: Rockhurst head coach Tracy Rietzke ranks among the top coaches in women’s college volleyball. He currently ranks second among NCAA Division II women’s coaches in career victories (1,044) and fourth in all-time winning percentage (.818) among Division II coaches. He also ranks seventh in career victories for all three levels of NCAA women’s coaches. He has guided the Hawks to an 872-177 record (.831). Since beginning play as an NCAA Division II member in 1998, the Hawks have posted a 414-115 record and played in six NCAA national tournaments.

HOME OPENER: The Hawks host William Jewell in their home opener Tuesday night. Rockhurst, which finished with a 7-6 record at home last year, will play 11 home matches in 2012. Jewell is the first of four consecutive home matches. Missouri-St. Louis (Sept. 21), Maryville (Sept. 22) and Missouri Western (Sept. 25) close out the Hawks’ homestand.