GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The No. 18 ranked Volleyball team enters the postseason on a 12-match winning streak as they start the WHAC Tournament Friday at Madonna as the No. 2 seed. The Golden Eagles will face No. 3 seed Siena Heights in the first of two semifinal matchups with the winner each gaining a berth in the 2017 NAIA National Tournament. CU will be meeting the Saints for the third time this season as the Golden Eagles won 3-0 in Adrian and 3-1 in Grand Rapids.

Opponent: Siena Heights
Date: November 10, 2017
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Livonia, Mich.
 
SCOUTING SIENA HEIGHTS
The Saints, under third year head coach Kim Berrington, are the No. 3 seed in the WHAC Tourney and are receiving votes in the latest NAIA Top-25 Poll. SHU defeated UNOH 3-1 in the quarterfinals and have been led on offense by junior Christine Tylutki as well as senior Amanda Metz. Paige Hudgin is one to watch out for on the outside and in the backrow as a solid all-around player for the Saints. Libby Breton in the middle is also a big threat on the offensive and defensive sides of the net.
 
Scouting the other Semifinal
No. 1 seed Madonna hosts No. 4 seed Lourdes in the other semifinals matchup inside the Activities Center. MU posted a 4-set win in the only meeting of the year between the last two conference regular season champions as they are in opposite divisions and play only once. Madonna is led by their outside duo of Karlie Kelly and Nicole Oestrike as well as middle Amanda Hawkins. The senior trio helped the Crusaders claim their first league title since 2013. LU is a young team led defensively by Angelica Dippold and a solid quartet of hitters inclyding Kristin Murrell, Genessee Tate, Tylar Roberson and Emily Arnold.
 
NAIA National Tournament
The winners of both semifinal matches will receive an automatic bid to the 2017 NAIA National Volleyball Championship as CU will be looking to make its second consecutive appearance and third in school history. The Opening Round is set for November 18 with the final site set to take place November 28-December 2 in Sioux City, Iowa.
 
WHAC Tournament
The Final Four is set in the 2017 WHAC Tourney as Madonna takes home the top spot and the host responsibilities. The Crusaders finished the campaign a perfect 14-0 followed by Cornerstone at 14-1, Siena Heights and Lourdes tied at 10-5. Three of the final four teams remaining are from the West Division with MU serving as the lone East Division representative.
 
WHAC Tournament History
Cornerstone has won three conference tournament titles in its history as they claimed the postseason crown in 1999, 2001 and 2003. Under head coach Ryan Campbell, the Golden Eagles are 6-8 in the WHAC Tourney including a runner-up finish last season against Lourdes.
 
 
 
Volleyball Contact: Aaron Sagraves
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