The #3 Wayne State Volleyball team will travel out to Denver, Colorado to play in the Colorado Premier Challenge. On Friday the 8^th, Wayne State will play two matches first against the University of Texas at Tyler at 11 a.m. and #19 Regis at 7 p.m. It will be Wayne State's first meeting with both teams in school history.
 
About the Colorado Premier Challenge
 
This will be the third time that Wayne State has played in the Colorado Premier Challenge. Last year they defeated NSIC rival Concordia-St. Paul in the finals of the tournament.
 
This year's participants include #19 Regis, #6 MSU Denver, #16 Cal State L.A., RV-Central Missouri, #2 Concordia-St. Paul, RV-Ferris State, #3 Wayne State, RV- Lewis (Ill.), RV-Texas-Tyler, RV-West Florida, #22 Western Washington, and #1 West Texas A&M.
 
About Wayne State
 
    Wayne State opened their season last week with a historic Volleyball Day in Nebraska exhibition game against Nebraska-Kearney inside of Lincoln Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.
    Following the historic event, the Wildcats traveled to Irvine, California, to play in the Concordia Irvine Tournament.
    Wayne State opened the tournament with victory over Cal. State East Bay 3-1 (25-27, 25-22, 25-12, 25-11). Taya Beller led the Wildcats with 19 kills and four blocks. She was followed by Maggie Brahmer who hit .464 in the match with 17 kills and three blocks. Kelsie Cada had 17 kills also along with a pair of aces.
    WSC would then earn a sweep over hosts Concordia Irvine 3-0 (25-11, 25-12, 25-17). Beller would hav 14 kills, three aces and three blocks in the win.
    The following day WSC would earn a win over Cal State Dominguez Hills (25-21, 25-8, 25-8). The wildcats would hit .333 in the match with Beller producing 10 kills and four blocks to lead the wildcats.
    The final match would see the Wildcats earn a sweep over Azusa Pacific (25-17, 25-13, 25-13). Senior Kelsie Cada would become the eighth player in Wildcat volleyball history to join the 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs club. She had 11 kills and eight blocks in the match.
    Wayne State ranks 1st in the NSIC in Blocks per set (2.77), 1st in hitting percentage (.323) and first in digs per set (18.69).
 
About University of Texas at Tyler
 
    The University of Texas at Tyler received 26 votes for the AVCA/ TARAFLEX top 25 poll last week after their 4-0 start to their season last week. The Patriots defeated University of Montevallo (3-0), Southern Nazarene (3-2), Fort Lewis (3-1) and Union (3-1). UTT hits .243 from the court with 13.8 kills per set. They also average 16.8 digs per set along with 2.1 blocks per set.
    The Patriots are led by Shaye Koski who hits .247 with 66 kills on the season. Jackie Velzis also hits.275 with 40 kills.
 
About #19 Regis
 
    #19 Regis started their season at the CSU Can Bernardino Tournament last week where they went 2-2 to start the season. They first defeated #15 Western Washington (3-1) and #9 Cal State L.A. (3-2). They then lost to #19 Cal State San Bernardino (1-3), and Central Washington (0-3). Regis is hitting .181 with 10.6 kills per set this season. They also average 10.9 digs pers set along with 2.0 blocks per set. Regis is led by Klaudia Sowizral who is hitting .400 this season with 44 kills.
 
One Last Thing
 
    The results of Friday's matches will determine who Wayne State will play in Saturday's matches. Gametime are also TBD.