MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (August 31, 2023) – A big weekend lies ahead for the receiving votes St. Thomas University (STU) Women's Volleyball team (4-1). The Bobcats will travel to Olathe, Kansas to compete in the MNU Labor Day Classic over the holiday weekend. The tournament will consist of three NAIA Top-25 matchups over the course of two days.
 
St. Thomas opened the season nearly two weeks ago with a five-set battle against no. 8 Missouri Baptist. After the dogfight, the Bobcats had aa quick turnaround for four matches at the Keiser Viper Sports Academy Classic. STU bounced back and swept the tournament going 4-0 and dropping just one set to (RV) Siena Heights.
 
Freshmen setter Payton Bertke has garnered attention recently earning Sun Conference Setter of the Week honors.
 
Peek into the upcoming matchups this weekend by the numbers:
 
Match One - #23 MidAmerica Nazarene

• Record: 2-3
• 11.53 kills per set
• 13.87 digs per set
• .150 hitting percentage.
• The three losses for the Pioneers were to ranked opponents (#22 Ottawa, #5 Northwestern, #4 Concordia)
• The two wins were in straight sets
• One matchup in 2015, STU won 3-1 at home.

 
Match Two - #11 Columbia

• Record: 6-1
• 13.05 kills per set
• 14.63 digs per set
• 12.84 assists per set
• .291 hitting percentage.
• Coming off a 4-1 week, taking down RV Xavier, #13 Dakota Wesleyan, RV John Brown, and Saint Mary.
• One loss was against #16 Indiana Wesleyan
• One match up against the teams CC won 3-0 in 2008.

 
Match Three - #21 Hastings

• Record: 4-1
• 12.30 kills per set
• 12.95 digs per set
• 55 service aces
• .195 hitting percentage.
• Opened the season 4-0 and dropped their first contest to #4 Concordia

 
(RV) St. Thomas By the Numbers

• Record: 4-1
• 12.50 kills per set
• 15.22 digs per set
• 11.44 assists per set
• .231 hitting percentage
• Four game win streak

 
Catch all the action on the MidAmerica Nazarene YouTube page and follow along live stats. If you'd like to purchase tickets, click here.