Toledo looks to follow up win over No. 12 Michigan in trip to Alabama

The Rockets look to carry the momentum of their victory against No. 12 Michigan to the Bama Bash tournament this weekend. Toledo stunned the Wolverines in a thrilling five set match last Saturday giving them a perfect 3-0 record and claiming their sixth Rocket Classic Title. The tournament victories launched Toledo to No. 37 in the most recent rankings as they were given 13 votes counting toward the Top 25 poll.

"It is always an honor to get votes or to be in the top 25," Toledo Head Coach Greg Smith said. "At the same time we are trying to stay as grounded as possible because its based only on one match. When it's all said and done I would rather be ranked at the end of the season than at the beginning, but it's great for our program. It's a huge step in what we are trying to accomplish here and were going to continue to push and try to get better. We know that we have not reached our potential. There is still a lot of room to grow but its nice to be honored."

Toledo captain setter Kassie Kadera led the Rockets this past weekend averaging 9.5 assists and 2.58 digs per set to receive tournament MVP honors. Senior libero Katie Westerfeld was named MAC Player of the Week totaling 30 digs and 10 assists against the Wolverines. Freshman outside hitter Lauren Rafdal, tallied 2.5 kills per set for the Rockets and classmate middle blocker Dakota Harkins led the team with .348 kill percentage.

"We knew we were going to be a young team coming, having just two seniors and three juniors, we knew that some young players would be playing for us," Smith said. "To have our younger players have an impact on the team so early is nice to know that the level of recruits we are bringing in are doing well. It's been a very pleasant surprise."

Coach Smith hopes that the recent success continues into the weekend but knows it will not come easy.

"I hope and expect that we come out and play at the same level we have been playing," Smith said. "We cannot have a let down. We have to maintain a high level of intensity and continue to work hard. I hope that our hard work comes out this weekend and if it does come out than it shows that we maturating mentally."

The Rockets square off against Southeastern Conference opponent Alabama along with Alabama Birmingham on Friday before taking on Furman on Saturday.

"We haven't really proven much, other than we can beat one team," Smith said. "We have to play 23 other teams and we have to stay focused on that and not focus on the past. It was a confidence booster and a great win but unfortunately there are times where you can't enjoy those wins and this is the one of those times. We have to get ready to play those three teams in Alabama."