KENOSHA, WI - The Parkside volleyball team is set to hit the busses and head east for Ashland, Ohio. The Rangers open the season in the Ashland Tournament beginning on Thursday at 5 p. m. (ET) against Central State University. The tournament continues as the Rangers will clash against West Liberty University and D'Youville University on Friday. Lastly, the Rangers wrap up the opening weekend against the host, Ashland University on Saturday.
Thursday, Aug. 31
Parkside vs. Central State
5:00 p. m. (ET) | Kates Gymnasium | Ashland, OH
Friday, Sept. 1
Parkside vs. West Liberty University
11:00 a. m. (ET) | Kates Gymnasium | Ashland, OH
Parkside vs. D'Youville University
3:00 p. m. (ET) | Kates Gymnasium | Ashland, OH
Saturday, Sept. 2
Parkside vs. Ashland University
2:30 p. m. (ET) | Kates Gymnasium | Ashland, OH
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The Rangers are once again led by head coach Leigh Barea, in her sixth season with the program.
Parkside returns all but five players from last year's team. The team also added five new players to the roster in this year's go-around including junior transfer, Sierra Marshall. Marshall, from Kirkwood Community College, totaled 657 digs which ranks 18th all-time in a single season in NJCAA Division II.
UWP expects big production out of sophomore Ava Irvin, who tallied 226 kills and 193 digs in her freshman campaign. Other key returners include junior Elizabeth Truckenbrod who finished second on the team with 257 digs in 2022. Also, junior Lindsay Krznarich will lead the middle block for the Rangers for the third consecutive season.
Scouting Central State
The Marauders won just four games in 2022, all of which came at neutral sites. They completed the season on a nine games losing skid. They have not won a game since October 20th, 2022. This will be the first ever contest between the two programs.
Scouting West Liberty
The Hilltoppers finished the 2022 season with 21 wins, but dropped the Mountain East Conference in the semi-finals. They did appear in the NCAA D-II Atlantic Regional but lost in the first game 3-0. This will be the first meeting between the two programs.
Scouting D'Youville
The Saints completed 2022 with just four wins. They were winless in the East Coast Conference and are now projected to finish fifth in the ECC preseason polls. This will be the first battle between the two programs.
Scouting Ashland
After a 23-9 season in 2022, the Eagles will play as host to the tournament. Ashland was stunned in the quarterfinals of the Great Midwest tournament, losing 3-1 to Tiffin. They did appear in the NCAA Regionals but dropped the first contest to Ferris State (GLIAC). Ashland was picked to finish first in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference South Division, receiving 81 voting points. Parkside has never beat Ashland, as the Eagles have taken all eight games dating back to 2005. In fact, Ashland has blanked Parkside in every game, winning via shutout every single time.
