After a historic season last year, the Pacific University Volleyball team is ready to take it even further.
The Boxers have been predicted to finish first in the Northwest Conference by a regional sports site that specializes in Division III volleyball. On top of that, the team returns some high-level talent to the court.
Senior Milana Ivakovic returns for the Boxers after earning First Team All-Conference last season along with Sophomore Haley Walz who received Honorable Mention.
Also returning is Senior Karlee Duncun who has seen significant time on the court her entire Pacific career.
The team will have to replace two All-Conference players in Ellie Parker and Morgan Mendicino. Both were key players for the Boxers and without them leaves a large hole in the roster. Last season the women’s team recorded a 18-8 overall record and a 11-5 conference record. The team finished in third place, three games behind first place Pacific Lutheran University and broke the program record for wins in a season.
Aside from a record breaking season the Boxers were in the top two in conference for seven statistical categories, including points, kills and assists.
When it comes to individual stats the women are lucky to have multiple returners who were top five performers in conference. Both Ivkovic and Duncan were top five in kills per set and kills, while Walz was third in digs per set and first in total digs. Ivkovic also led the conference in hitting percentage and sophomore Elika Unti was third.
The Boxers will start the season with a home double header on Aug. 30 at the Stoller Center. The first match is at 2:30 p.m. versus St. Thomas University and the second match is at 7:30 p.m. versus Central University.
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