Friday, Oct. 16 | 6:00 PM | Waverly, Iowa
Wartburg vs Central
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Saturday, Oct. 17 | 1:00 PM | Waverly, Iowa
Wartburg vs Simpson
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Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 6:00 PM | Waverly, Iowa
Wartburg vs UW-Stout Polytechnic
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WAVERLY, Iowa -- The Wartburg College volleyball team (14-6 overall, 1-0 A-R-C) returns to Levick Arena for three home matches, beginning with a conference matchup against Central College (11-7 overall, 0-1 A-R-C) at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16.

The Knights will then host Simpson College (10-6 overall, 1-0 A-R-C) at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, before welcoming non-conference opponent University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic (13-8 overall, 1-3 WIAC) at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Central: Central holds a 54-24-1 advantage in the all-time series, including a sweep of the Knights in Waverly last season. However, Wartburg has won seven of the last 10 meetings and holds a 9-15 record against the Dutch at Levick Arena. Friday's contest marks the 80th meeting between the programs.

Simpson: Wartburg leads the all-time series 39-34 and holds a 15-8 record against the Storm at home. The Knights have won eight of the last 10 meetings, though Simpson claimed last season's matchup in four sets in Indianola.

UW-Stout Polytechnic: Tuesday's contest marks the second meeting between the Knights and Blue Devils this season. Wartburg earned a five-set victory at the Wartburg Invitational on Sept. 11 and holds a 7-1 advantage in the all-time series, including a 2-0 record at home.

LAST TIME OUT
Wartburg opened American Rivers Conference play with a 3-1 victory over Coe College on Oct. 7 before falling to Cornell College in a five-set match on Oct. 9.

The Knights defeated the Kohawks 25-21, 25-21, 24-26, 25-19 to extend their winning streak to 11 matches. Wartburg then rallied from a two-set deficit against Cornell to force a deciding fifth set before falling 15-6. The loss snapped the Knights' 11-match winning streak and marked their first defeat since Sept. 11 against Gustavus Adolphus College.

BUHMAN RANKS FIFTH NATIONALLY IN TOTAL ASSISTS
Freshman setter Alexa Buhman ranks fifth nationally and third in the American Rivers Conference with 687 assists this season. She averages 9.04 assists per set in her first collegiate campaign.
 
WARTBURG SINGLE-SEASON ASSISTS
1. 1631 - Sarah Olsen (143 sets) - 2003
2. 1535 - Angie Hulse (131 sets) - 2002
3. 1288 - Traci Robinson (124 sets) - 2006
4. 1269 - Ramey Sieck (132 sets) - 2012
5. 1253 - Angie Hulse (105 sets) - 2001
6. 1249 - Ramey Sieck (135 sets) - 2013
7. 1218 - Britney Hermsen (138 sets) - 2009
8. 1127 - Claire Marsh (108 sets) - 2021
9. 1117 - Lindsay Murphy (125 sets) - 2005
10. 1106 - Sarah Nederhoff (102 sets) – 1998
 
TOP THREE IN THE A-R-C
Senior libero Peyton Robinson leads the Knights with 312 digs this season, ranking second in the American Rivers Conference. Wartburg has recorded 1,270 digs as a team, the second-highest total in the conference and the 30th-most in Division III.

At the net, Anna Sash leads Wartburg with 61 blocks, helping the Knights record a conference-best 144.0 total blocks this season.

Offensively, Ashlynn Hodges paces the Knights with 239 kills on a .187 hitting percentage. Her kill total ranks second in the American Rivers Conference.
 
AS A TEAM

• Blocks per set (1.89) – No. 2 in A-R-C
• Digs per set (16.71) – No. 3
• Opponent Hitting Percentage (.125) – No. 2
• Team Service Aces (159) – No. 2

A-R-C STANDINGS – as of Oct. 15
Buena Vista: 16-0 overall, 1-0 A-R-C
Dubuque: 17-4 overall, 1-0 A-R-C
Wartburg: 14-6 overall, 1-0 A-R-C
Simpson: 10-6 overall, 1-0 A-R-C
Central: 11-7 overall, 0-1 A-R-C
Nebraska Wesleyan: 11-7 overall, 0-1 A-R-C
Loras: 7-13 overall, 0-1 A-R-C
Coe: 6-13 overall, 0-1 A-R-C

MEET THE KNIGHTS
Wartburg returns 16 players from last season while welcoming two junior college transfers and nine freshmen.

The Knights' senior class includes Peyton Robinson of Lisbon, Iowa; Alexa Melcher of Elk River, Minnesota; Leah Hayungs of Orange City, Iowa; and Sophie Williams of Plainfield, Illinois.
Wartburg added junior college transfers Emma Liechti of Ankeny, Iowa, and Emily Naughton of Raymond, Iowa.

Liechti appeared in 80 matches during her two-year career at Des Moines Area Community College, recording 410 kills while hitting .251 and adding 299 total blocks. The All-Region middle blocker joins the Knights following a decorated junior college career.

Naughton played in 44 matches as a middle hitter at Kirkwood Community College, totaling 99 kills on a .280 hitting percentage, 51 digs and 82 blocks.

The Knights' nine-member freshman class includes Alexa Buhman, Rachel Borwick, Brenna Baumgardner, Keely Kauten, Lucy Maassen, Karsyn Michael, McKenzie Becker, Kruiz Ewoldt and Lillian Frazer.

LOOKING BACK
Head coach DeAnn Akins enters her second season leading the Wartburg volleyball program after guiding the Knights to a 15-12 record in 2025. Wartburg advanced to the first round of the American Rivers Conference Tournament before falling 3-1 to third-seeded Simpson College.

The Knights return AVCA All-Region and All-Conference middle hitter Anna Sash, who led the team with 259 kills and 122.0 blocks last season. Sash started all 27 matches and recorded 52 solo blocks, the third-highest single-season total in program history.

Wartburg averaged 16.2 digs, 11.3 kills, 10.4 assists, 2.1 service aces and 1.9 blocks per set in 2025.

Kaylee Koudelka and Sash combined for 493 kills, while Robinson led the Knights with 470 digs and 44 service aces.

Off the court, Wartburg earned its 12th consecutive AVCA Team Academic Award after posting a 3.61 cumulative grade-point average.
 
A-R-C PRESEASON POLL
1. Dubuque – 48 (7)
2. Central – 37
3. Wartburg – 32
4. Neb. Wesleyan – 31
T5. Coe – 27
T5. Simpson – 27
7. Loras – 12
8. Buena Vista - 8