The Braves finished the Hampton Inn Classic in Columbia, Mo. last weekend with a record of 3-1. Ottawa defeated, then, no. 19 Central Methodist (3-2), William Penn (3-0), and nationally ranked John Brown University (3-1). Then no. 16 Indiana Wesleyan took a 3-0 victory over the Braves.

Ottawa finished the four matches with 194 kills, a .222 attacking percentage, 181 assists, 17 service aces, 237 digs, and 30 team blocks.

Radaisy Valdez was named KCAC Attacker of the Week for her efforts in five matches last week. She had 70 kills, four service aces, nine digs, and 20 blocks in five matches last week. Valdez averaged 3.89 kills per set and 14 kills per match.

The Braves have moved from no. 22 to no. 14 in the latest NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches Top 25 Poll.

Through five matches this season, Ottawa is averaging 13.1 kills per set, 12.2 assists per set, 1.9 blocks per set, 1.3 service aces per set, and 15.4 digs per set. The Braves have a .238 attacking percentage. OU is ranked 17th in the NAIA in kills per set (13.1), 27th in attacking percentage (.238), 17th in assists per set (12.2), 36th in solo blocks (13), and 33rd in points per set (16.4).

Radaisy Valdez leads the Braves in kills (70) and blocks (20). Ryleigh Sander is the team's leader in assists (106) and service aces (8). Jadore Hayes is OU's leader in digs (78).

Friday's match against nationally ranked Indiana University Kokomo is the second time that the two teams have met. The first time was on Nov. 19, 2016 in Wilson Field House in the NAIA Opening Round. The Cougars defeated the Braves 3-2. The match between Ottawa and Valley City State University is the fourth meeting between the two teams. OU leads the series, 2-1 and is on a two match winning streak over the Vikings. The Braves won the contest last season on Sept. 1, 2022 at the GoSarpy.com Labor Day Classic in Bellevue, Neb. 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-19). The first meeting between the two teams happened on Oct. 13, 2007. VCSU won the match 3-0 (30-22, 30-18, 30-20). Saturday's matches against Loyola University New Orleans and Dakota Wesleyan University will be the first time the teams have met.

 Indiana University Kokomo is 3-1 to start the season and is receiving votes in the latest NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches Top 25 Poll. The Cougars are averaging 13.3 kills per set, 12.3 assists per set, 1.6 blocks per set, 1.6 service aces per set, and 15.4 digs per set. IU Kokomo has a .185 attacking percentage.

IUK is ranked 12th in the NAIA in kills per set (13.3), 12th in assists per set (12.3), 36th in ball handling errors (6), and 24th in points per set (16.8). Audrey Strawsma leads the team in kills (37), Kaley Lyons is the Cougars' leader in assists (80) and service aces (6), Alyvia Smith is IUK's leader in digs (72), and Lexi Broyles is the team's leader in blocks (11).

Valley City State University is 3-2 overall with two wins over Briar Cliff and a victory over Mount Marty. Through five matches the Vikings are averaging 13.6 kills per set, 12.4 assists per set, 1.5 blocks per set, 0.6 service aces per set, and 18 digs per set. VCSU has a .203 attacking percentage.

VCSU is ranked seventh in the NAIA in kills per set (13.6), ninth in assists per set (12.4), 20th in digs per set (18), and 29th in blocking errors (9). Bailey Nelson leads the team in kills (61), Sadie Hansen is the Vikings' leader in assists (208), Delani Clarke and Hansen lead the team in service aces with three apiece, Hansen and Clarke also lead the team in digs (65), and Danielle Hagler leads the Vikings in blocks (15).

After starting off the season 1-2, Loyola has won five straight matches and is receiving votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll. Through eight matches, the Wolf Pack are averaging 11.3 kills per set, 9.8 assists per set, 2.7 blocks per set, 1.9 service aces per set, and 14.1 digs per set. Loyola has a .213 attacking percentage.

The Wolf Pack is ranked 46the in the NAIA in attacking percentage (.213), 33rd in service aces (49), 10th in service errors (72), fourth in solo blocks (32), 31st in block assists (74), 13th in total blocks (69), and ninth in blocks per set (2.7). Amaya Bazemore lead the team in kills (59), Ellie Connor is the team's leader in assists (115), Emily Sheperis leads the Wolf Pack in service aces (17), Simone Moreau is Loyola's leader in digs (95), and Bazemore leads the team in blocks (31).

Dakota Wesleyan University has an overall record of 5-4 and is receiving votes in the NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches Top 25. DWU is averaging 12 kills per set, 11.1 assists per set, 1.2 blocks per set, 1.5 service aces per set, and 15.8 digs per set. The Tigers have a .218 attacking percentage.

DWU is ranked 23rd in the NAIA in kills (360), 50th in errors (136), 26th in total attacks (1,027), 37th in attacking percentage (.218), 24th in assists (334), 41st in service aces (45), 50th in service errors (47), 20th in receptions (564), 24th in reception errors (49), 23rd in digs (475), 27th in solo blocks (15), and 13th in ball handling errors (9).

Ady Dwight leads DWU in kills (126), Kayleigh Hybertson is the team's leader in assists (255), Callie Slagter leads the Tigers in service aces (9), Tya Weideman leads Dakota Wesleyan in digs (163), and Dwight is the Tigers' leader in blocks (22).