Match # 1
Lindenwood (0-0, 0-0 OVC)
vs. Oakland (0-0, 0-0 Horizon)
Match Information:
Date: Friday, Aug. 25
Start Time: 10:00 a.m. CT
Live Stats: Stats

Match # 2
Lindenwood (0-0, 0-0 OVC)
vs. St.Thomas (0-0, 0-0 Summit League)
Match Information:
Date: Friday, Aug. 25
Start Time: 5:00 p.m. CT
Live Stats: Stats

Match # 3
Lindenwood (0-0-0, 0-0 OVC)
at UIC (0-0-0, 0-0 MVC)
Match Information:
Date: Saturday, Aug. 26
Start Time: 3:00 p.m. CT
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: ESPN+

Matchups
Lindenwood women's volleyball program will start their second Division I season at the Chicago Classic, hosted by UIC at the Credit Union 1 Arena. The Lions will play three matches throughout the two-day event starting on Friday, Aug. 25 and continuing on Saturday, Aug. 26.

To start the tournament, Lindenwood will play Horizon League opponent Oakland University on Friday starting at 10:00 a.m. CT. They will then play later on Friday against St.Thomas University starting at 5:00 p.m. CT. The Lions will conclude action on Saturday against the host team UIC starting at 3:00 p.m. CT, with that matchup being streaming on ESPN+.

Preseason Poll
The Ohio Valley Conference released their 2023 preseason poll to start the season, and had the Lions picked to finish in seventh. Southeast Missouri and Tennessee Tech tied for first in the coaches poll securing six first place votes each.

2022 Season Recap
Lindenwood ended their first Division I season with a 12-17 record and a 8-10 conference record in the OVC. The Lions picked up their first ever DI win during their first match of the season in a 3-0 win vs. Canisius College.

Despite their 0-3 start to conference play, Lindenwood took home their first OVC win against fellow newcomer Southern Indiana in Evansville, Ind. by a score of 3-2. Lindenwood also had conference wins against SIUE, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State, SEMO, Little Rock (2) and Eastern Illinois.

During their first ever OVC Tournament, #7 Lindenwood upset the #2 seeded Tennessee Tech in the opening round by a final score of 3-0. They would go on to lose in the semi-finals to eventual conference tournament champions Tennessee State.

Players To Watch
The Lions return a lot of talent from their 2022 roster. Middle blocker Rebecca Janke played in all 29 matches last season picking up 222 kills for a 1.98 kills per set average. On the defensive side of the net, Janke led the team in blocks with 93.0 including 22 solo blocks. She ranked 10th in the OVC in hitting percentage with a .260.

Outside hitter Nyah Wilson ranked fourth on the team last season with 233 kills for an average of 2.26 kills per set. She ended the season with a hitting percentage of .182. She also served up 29 aces behind the line for the Lions.

Scouting the Opponents
Oakland finished the 2022 season with an 11-19 record and a 7-11 record in the Horizon League. The Golden Grizzles play two common opponents last year in Eastern Illinois (L, 2-3) and Southern Indiana (W, 3-0). Oakland returns their top outside hitter from a season ago in Patti Cesarini. Last year she posted 410 kills for an average of 3.66 k/s on her way to All-League First Team.

St.Thomas is also in the NCAA Transition period as they enter their fourth season as a DI university. They finished with a 4-26 record last season while picking up two wins in the Summit League. Lauren Galvin returns as the team's top attacker racking up 331 kills during the 2022 season.

The host team UIC had the best 2022 record of the playing field finishing with a 22-10 record and a 13-5 conference record. Their only common opponent last season with EIU which they won by a final score of 3-0 at last season's Chicago Classic. They return lead middle blocker Zahria Woodard who had 119 blocks including 101 block assists. She also totaled 200 kills with a .355 hitting percentage.

Up Next
Lindenwood will return home to Hyland Arena next weekend when they host the Lindenwood Invitational. The Lions will host Austin Peay, Louisiana Monroe and Indiana State for this Labor Day Weekend tournament. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.