ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon volleyball team will host defending Atlantic region champion Clarion on Friday, September 23 followed by Slippery Rock on Saturday, September 24 to open play in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division. Friday's match will begin at 7 p.m. with Saturday's match taking place at 2 p.m.
Live gameday statistics for both matches will be available at http://www.gannon.edu/athletics/women/volleyba/lstats/XLIVE.HTM.
On Friday, the Gannon volleyball team needs your help to "Fill the 'Mill" as they host defending PSAC and Atlantic region champion Clarion. With both teams undefeated in conference play, the early-season match could prove crucial in determining this season's conference champion. Clarion was tabbed first in the preseason coaches poll, while Gannon was tied for second with California (Pa.).
As part of the event, the Lady Knights will host the Gannon Bookstore Serving Contest between the second and third sets. All fans in attendance are invited to serve the ball over the net and attempt to hit one of the prize targets. The first four fans to hit a target will win a certificate redeemable at the Gannon Booksore for a hooded sweatshirt valued at $29.95.
Friday is also "Residence Hall Night", a competition between the various residence halls to see which floor can bring the most fans to the match. The winning floor will receive a pizza party with the Gannon volleyball team. In addition several former Gannon volleyball student-athletes will be on hand Friday as part of Alumni Homecoming/Reunion & Family Weekend.
Gannon comes into the weekend riding an eight-match winning streak after sweeping the competition at the PSAC-WVIAC Crossover and PSAC East-West Crossover Tournaments. Lauren Sazama (St. Louis, Mo. / Oakville) was named PSAC Player of the Week Tuesday after averaging 5.0 kills during four matches last week. The junior hit .358 and recorded at least 17 kills in three of the four matches.
Kara Cullen (Marstons Mills, Mass. / Barnstable) and Morgan Reineke (New Knoxville, Ohio / New Knoxville) are both averaging over 2.5 kills per set this season while Alex DelPiombo (Monroe, Mich. / St. Mary's Catholic Central) has averaged 8.56 assists per set. As a team the Lady Knights are hitting .261, second best in the conference. Gannon defeated Clarion at the 'Mill last season in a five-set thriller.
The Golden Eagles are led by reigning PSAC West Athlete of the year Kellie Bartman, who is averaging 3.75 kills per set. Setter Amanda Gough is dishing out an average of 8.89 assists per set while libero Rhianon Brady leads the team in digs per set (6.24) and total aces (11). Much like Gannon, Clarion faced touch competition early in the season suffering losses to Colorado Christina, Eckerd and Tampa.
On Saturday the Lady Knights will face undefeated Slippery Rock. The Rock is off to the best start in school history after sweeping five matches at the Marauder Clash and then four at the PSAC-WVIAC Crossover Tournament. Slippery Rock earned three conference wins over West Chester, Kutztown and Cheyney during the first PSAC East-West Crossover weekend.
Kaylee Smith leads the team with 3.23 kills per set and a .216 attack percentage. Kristy Lake, who was named PSAC Player of the week earlier this season, holds a .228 attack percentage with 119 total kills. Setter Jenna Reilly averages 10.21 assists per set.
