Kenosha, Wis. – The Parkside Rangers will wrap up the 2024 regular season at home this weekend. The Rangers are set to host Davenport on Friday night and No. 1 Ferris State on Saturday night at De Simone Arena. Currently, the Rangers sit in sixth place in the GLIAC standings and have the chance to reach as high as fifth place with a favorable weekend.
Last Weekend for Parkside:
The Rangers snapped a two-match losing skid with a pair of home victories last weekend. They completed sweeps over Purdue Northwest and Roosevelt, locking in season sweeps over both programs. On Thursday night, Parkside hosted a block party, recording 14 total blocks, the seventh-most in a three-set match this season across all of Division-II volleyball. This was also the most for the Rangers in a three-set match since September 2, 2022. Mariena Coon stole the show, tallying 13 points with three solo blocks and a total of nine blocks in the match, marking a career high.
On Saturday night, the Rangers took care of business against the Lakers. The offense was on fire, with four players finishing with at least seven kills: Sam Fisch (13), Kendal Zeiter (9), Elizabeth Truckenbrod (7), and Sierra Kilbourn (7). Natalie Harris anchored the defensive structure, leading the match with 15 digs. She now finds herself just 16 digs away from becoming the 11th Parkside Ranger to reach the 1,000-dig milestone.
Scouting Davenport
The last time the Panthers played at De Simone Arena was in the 2023 GLIAC Quarterfinals, where they suffered a straight-set loss. While the stakes and intensity won't be as high this time, postseason implications will add drama. Davenport needs at least one win this weekend to secure a spot in the GLIAC postseason. Under first-year head coach Charley Andrews, the team holds a 9-17 overall record and a 5-10 record in conference play. They are currently on a four-match losing streak and will look to revive their season with road games against Parkside and Purdue Northwest.
Scouting No. 1 Ferris State
The Bulldogs are on the brink of history, with only Parkside and Purdue Northwest standing in the way of a perfect season. Ferris State remains unbeaten with a 26-0 overall record and a 15-0 GLIAC record, having lost only three sets in conference play. Currently ranked No. 1 in the nation, Ferris State has held this position for the past two weeks in the AVCA Women's Volleyball Poll. Statistically, the Bulldogs lead in hitting percentage, attacking at a .312 clip. Olivia Henneman-Dallape has been their most lethal weapon, averaging 4.37 kills per set, ranking eighth in the country.
History
Davenport leads the all-time series against Parkside 10-5, with the Panthers recently defeating the Rangers in a five-set thriller in Grand Rapids, ending a three-match winning streak for Parkside. Although Parkside has a 2-14 all-time record against Ferris State, the Rangers triumphed over the then-No. 16 Bulldogs in Kenosha last season in a five-set match, marking Leigh Barea's first victory over a ranked opponent.
Will it be a perfect season or déjà vu on Saturday night at De Simone Arena?
