PEORIA, Ill. – Bradley Volleyball starts off conference play this weekend at Renaissance Coliseum. They match up with Northern Iowa on Friday night at 6 PM and Drake at 5 PM on Saturday. 

Matchups

To begin their 2023 conference slate, the Bradley Braves play Northern Iowa on Friday night. The reigning Missouri Valley Conference champions hold a 6-6 record this season after playing two ranked opponents in their non-conference schedule. The last time Bradley defeated the Panthers was in 2021 with a five-set victory. Karagan Coggin led the team in kills with 12 and a .545 hitting percentage in the Braves victory. 

Bradley plays Drake on Saturday night at Renaissance Coliseum. Drake finished with a 30-8 overall record last season as the NIVC runner-up. Bradley head coach Alicia Williams was the assistant coach for Drake head coach Darrin McBroom for two seasons at Iowa Western Community College. Bradley last topped Drake in 2021, with Coggin once again leading the team with 12 kills and a .632 hitting percentage. 

Bradley Notes

After their 7-6 non-conference start, the Braves sit in sixth place in the Missouri Valley Conference. Their key wins came after a sweep of the CEFCU Invitational for the first time since 2018. Bradley returns home this weekend after their loss at Renaissance Coliseum to the Illinois Fighting Illini. 

The Braves rank 49th in the NCAA with 1.87 aces per set, the best in the MVC. Freshman Corrie Brown leads the way with 18 while Dru Kuck has 17. 

Senior Jasmine Green has the most kills on the team with 108. After returning from injury, Doga Topcicek leads the squad with 2.39 kills per set. 

Friday Information

Bradley Braves (7-6) vs. Northern Iowa (6-6)

Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 2023 • 6 PM

Location: Renaissance Coliseum

Live Coverage: ESPN+ | Live Stats

Saturday Information

Bradley Braves (7-6) vs. Drake (7-5)

Date & Time: Saturday, September 23, 2023 • 5 PM

Location: Renaissance Coliseum

Live Coverage: ESPN+ | Live Stats