LINCOLN, Neb. (August 29, 2024) - The Nebraska Wesleyan Volleyball team is set to begin its 2024 campaign with four games in Texas this weekend. Friday will see the Prairie Wolves face McMurry University and the University of Dallas. On Saturday, Nebraska Wesleyan will play Shenandoah University and the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

LOCATION, GAME TIME, LIVE STREAM & LIVE STATS
Both of Nebraska Wesleyan's Friday matches will take place at the Maher Center in Irving, Texas. Nebraska Wesleyan will face McMurry University at 4:00 p.m. and the University of Dallas at 8:00 p.m. On Saturday, the Prairie Wolves will travel to Hughey Gymnasium, in Sherman, Texas, to play Shenandoah University at 12:00 p.m. and  the University of Wisconsin-Superior at 2:00 p.m. 
Live stream and live stats for NWU vs Shenandoah
Live stream and live stats for NWU vs Wisconsin-Superior

ABOUT THE PRAIRIE WOLVES
Nebraska Wesleyan returns 10 players from last year's squad, which posted an impressive 21-8 record and finished as runners-up in the American Rivers Conference. Leading the returners are senior Addie Thomas, the reigning A-R-C Most Valuable Player, along with first-team All-Conference selections Elecea Saathoff and Molly Ramirez. Thomas led the Prairie Wolves in both points (493) and kills (432) last season, while Saathoff paced the team with 1005 assists, averaging 9.57 assists per set. Ramirez provided steady contributions across multiple categories, finishing third on the team in points, kills, and total attempts.

HEAD COACH RAYNA CAIN PROFILE
Head Coach Rayna Cain enters her 13th season at the helm of the Prairie Wolves, boasting a career record of 173-142. Cain is one of only three coaches in NWU history to surpass 100 career wins and has mentored three AVCA All-American honorable mentions and 31 All-Conference athletes.

ADDIE THOMAS LOOKS FOR STELLAR SENIOR CAMPAIGN
Addie Thomas is back and ready for more in 2024. The American Rivers Conference Most Valuable Player in 2023, Thomas enters 2024 ranked ninth among active players in NCAA Division III with 1,120 and sits just 37 kills away from climbing into Nebraska Wesleyan's top 10 career kill chart. Last season, Thomas had 432 kills, which is the seventh most in a single season in program history. Thomas also finished 2023 with 4.11 kills per set which is the fifth-highest in a single season. Through three seasons, Thomas has a .208 hitting percentage, 1266.5 points and 738 digs.

RETURNING TALENT
Nebraska Wesleyan returns six players who played in all 29 matches last season, libero Raegan Holle, setter Elecea Saathoff, opposite hitter Molly Ramirez, middle blocker Aliah Clarke, and outside hitters Addie Thomas and Kobie Patten. This core group of returning players is set to take Nebraska Wesleyan to new heights in 2024.

SCOUTING THE WAR HAWKS
McMurry University went 2-24 in 2023 and finished eighth in the American Southwest Conference. The War Hawks averaged 12.60 points per set, and allowed 17.10 points per set. McMurry finished 2023 with a .105 hitting percentage, 134 aces, 913 kills, 857 assists, 1471 digs, and 87 blocks. The War Hawks are coached by Cammie Petree, who is entering her 29th season as head coach.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST MCMURRY UNIVERSITY
Friday will mark the first meeting between the Prairie Wolves and War Hawks. 

SCOUTING THE CRUSADERS
The University of Dallas went 13-19 in 2023, and finished eighth in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Crusaders averaged 14.5 points per set, and allowed 13.4 points per set. The Crusaders finished 2023 with a .173 hitting percentage, 180 aces, 1373 kills, 1265 assists, 2055 digs, and 141 blocks. The Crusaders are coached by Kelli Trautmann, who is entering her seventh season as head coach.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS
Friday will mark the first meeting between the Prairie Wolves and Crusaders.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Shenandoah University went 8-20 in 2023. The Hornets averaged 13.18 points per set, and allowed 16.04 points per set. Shenandoah finished 2023 with a .143 hitting percentage, 185 aces, 1054 kills, 949 assists, 1576 digs, and 171 blocks. The Hornets are coached by Kent Clayberg, who is entering his sixth season as head coach.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY
Saturday will mark the first meeting between the Prairie Wolves and Hornets.

SCOUTING THE YELLOW JACKETS
Wisconsin-Superior went 19-11 in 2023, and finished third in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. The Yellow Jackets averaged 15.36 points per set, and allowed 13.92 points per set. The Yellow Jackets finished 2023 with a .169 hitting percentage, 117 aces, 1262 kills, 1170 assists, 2062 digs, and 188 blocks. The Yellow Jackets are coached by Lynne Deadrick, who is entering her 22nd season as head coach. 

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST WISCONSIN SUPERIOR
Saturday will mark the seventh match-up between the Prairie Wolves and Yellow Jackets. Nebraska Wesleyan leads the all-time series 4-2. The Prairie Wolves defeated the Yellow Jackets in the last meeting between the two teams, 3-0 in 2022.