With 11 players returning to the squad, a familiar-looking Davenport University women’s volleyball team will look to lean on its experience in the 2025 season.
In 2024 and the program's first season with head coach Charley Andrews at the helm, the Panthers won 10 matches and entered the conference tournament as the No. 7 seed.
Top Returners
Last season, the Panthers had five freshmen play a significant role in their first year of collegiate volleyball. With a year of experience under their belt, that group will look to continue to contribute to the program.
Leading the way in the sophomore class a year ago was Hayley Carr, earning Honorable Mention All-GLIAC honors. She was the only Panther to play in all 105 sets, serving as the primary libero for DU. In 2024, she led the team in digs (404) and digs per set (3.85), while ranking second in assists (73). The Hudsonville, Mich. native notched 20-plus digs in four matches.
Coming off a breakout sophomore campaign, Abby Alan will look to continue that success into her junior year. A season ago, Alan earned Second Team All-GLIAC honors and led the squad in kills (354), kills per set (3.40), points (406) and service aces (34). Alan ended the season with 11 double-doubles and eclipsed 20 kills five times this season.
Seniors Maggie Juncaj, Kaitlin Jordan and Morgan Tydings will all log valuable minutes in their final season with DU. Last season, Juncaj finished with career-highs in assists (17), service aces (four), digs (123), digs per set (1.43) and points (five). Jordan improved in the following statistical categories from her sophomore to junior season: hitting percentage (.235), service aces (17), digs (51) and total blocks (59). Her 59 blocks ranked second on the team.
The Panthers will be without Rachel Youngblood, who will be sidelined with an injury she suffered in the spring. As a true freshman, she set a record for most kills in a single match by a freshman in school history, recording 21 against Bemidji State (Sept. 13). Youngblood also ranked second on the squad in kills per set (2.35).
Other returners for the upcoming season include Karley Pretzer, Ashley Arceo, Sydney Swan, Julia Frederick and Kaitlyn Marsh.
Newcomers
The 2025 squad has six newcomers on the roster, made up of four freshmen and two transfers.
Jade With (Wayne State) and Mariya Montgomery (Limestone) are the two transfers, while Amelia Werner (Grafton, Wis.), Livi Overbeek (Battle Creek, Mich.), Maddie Albright (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Madison Berry (Evergreen Park, Ill.) are this year's freshmen class.
Schedule Breakdown
Davenport opens the season in Golden, Colo. at the Colorado Mines Tournament on Friday, Sept. 5. The Panthers will play four out-of-conference games over the stretch of that opening weekend.
Following the cross-country trip, DU will co-host the annual Hampton Inn and Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic Tournament with Grand Valley State from Sept. 12-13.
The GLIAC opener takes place on Friday, Sept. 19, as the Panthers host Northern Michigan at 5 p.m. at the DU Student Center. DU will open conference play with four straight home matches, with its first road GLIAC contest coming on Friday, Oct. 3 in Chicago, Ill. to take on Roosevelt.
Saturday, Nov. 15, will be the final game of the 2025 season for Davenport, hosting Roosevelt in what will serve as the squad's senior day.
