Leatherneck Classic is on Tap For Mastodon Women's Volleyball

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Purdue Fort Wayne will head to the Leatherneck Classic this weekend (Sept. 6-7) to face three familiar programs, UIC, Western Illinois and South Dakota State, all of whom shared league affiliation with the Mastodons over the years.

Leatherneck Classic Information
Who: UIC, Western Illinois, South Dakota State and Purdue Fort Wayne
When: Friday-Saturday Sept. 6-7
Where: Macomb, Ill. | Western Hall
Live Stats: Link
Watch: None
Match Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne

Mastodon Schedule
Friday, September 6, 11 AM - Purdue Fort Wayne vs. UIC
Friday, September 6, 7:30 PM - Purdue Fort Wayne at Western Illinois
Saturday, September 7, 1 PM - Purdue Fort Wayne vs. South Dakota State

Know Your Foes
• UIC is 3-0 with wins over Albany, North Dakota State and Florida Gulf Coast. Zahria Woodard leads the Flames' attack, averaging 3.14 kills per set, while hitting .559 from the middle. She is also pitching in 1.36 blocks per set. The Flames have run two setters, Francesca Venturini and Mihaela Harizanova, who both average between five and six assists per set. UIC was 21-12 last season.
• Western Illinois is 1-1 and is the national leader with 26.75 digs per set through its first eight sets of action. Outside hitter Keyana Cruse is the team's best in that category with a 6.38 clip per set. Offensively, Cruse is also pacing the Leathernecks with an NCAA-leading 6.50 kills per set. The Leathernecks are coming off a 3-1 loss to Horizon League foe Milwaukee. The Leathernecks were 9-21 in 2023.
• South Dakota State is 3-0 to start 2024 after a perfect weekend at Georgia State's tournament. The Jackrabbits beat Florida A&M, Georgia State and Indiana State. Sylvie Zgonc is fourth in the nation with 5.60 kills per set, which the sophomore outside hitter is reaching on an efficient .414 hitting percentage. The Jackrabbits are coming off a 9-20 season a year ago.

Hello, Old Friends
Purdue Fort Wayne spent time as league foes with each of its opponents this weekend despite all four now being apart of different conferences. The Mastodons and UIC were members of the Horizon League together (2020-21) before the Flames departed for the Missouri Valley Conference. The 'Dons and Leathernecks of Western Illinois were both members of the Summit League (2007-19) before the 'Dons left for the Horizon League. The Leathernecks later left for the Ohio Valley Conference. Purdue Fort Wayne and South Dakota State were also rivals while the Mastodons were still making yearly trips to Brookings, South Dakota in the Summit League (2007-19). The Jackrabbits still call the Summit League home.

Series Histories
• UIC leads 6-2 in the all-time series and has won the last five meetings over the Mastodons. The last two meetings went to five sets.
• Purdue Fort Wayne leads Western Illinois 23-6 in the series that dates back to 2002. The 'Dons have won the last five matches.
• The Mastodons are 26-6 against South Dakota State and have won the last six meetings, only dropping two sets in that time.

Panna-tastic
Panna Ratkai is one of five players from the 12-player All-Horizon League First Team back for 2024. Ratkai, the 2023 Horizon League Offensive Player of the Year, and Oakland's Emily Wichmann (Defensive Player of the Year) are the only returning major award winners.

All-Tournament Accolades
Panna Ratkai, Abby Stratford and Jena Medearis were selected to the Skyhawk Invitational All-Tournament Team last weekend. Ratkai was selected as the MVP after 5.00 kills per set with a .262 hitting percentage. From the right side, Stratford finished with 2.58 kills per set on an efficient .360 clip. Medearis added 1.92 kills per set while hitting .313.

Last Time Out
The Mastodons went 3-0 at the Skyhawk Invitational with wins over Stonehill, Siena and Holy Cross. Panna Ratkai was named the MVP of the tournament and the Horizon League Player of the Week.

Next Time Up
The Mastodons stay in the state next week for the Popcorn Classic at Valparaiso.

~ Feel the Rumble ~

Leatherneck Classic is on Tap For Mastodon Women's Volleyball

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Players Mentioned

Jena Medearis

Panna Ratkai

Abby Stratford

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics