ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon volleyball team will welcome a total of four teams to the Hammermill Center this weekend as part of the Gannon Invitational. The Lady Knights are scheduled to play in three matches during the tournament. Gannon will open the 2012 season Friday against Davis & Elkins at 2 p.m. before facing off with Wisconsin-Parkside that night at 7 p.m. The tournament action for the Lady Knights will wrap up with a 2:30 p.m. match Saturday against Caldwell.
Full Tournament Schedule:
Friday, August 31st
12 noon - Caldwell vs. Wisconsin-Parkside
2 p.m. - Gannon vs. Davis & Elkins
4:30 p.m. - Ohio Dominican vs. Caldwell
7 p.m. - Gannon vs. Wisconsin-Parkside
Saturday, September 1
10 a.m. - Caldwell vs. Davis & Elkins
12 p.m. - Wisconsin-Parkside vs. Ohio Dominican
2:30 p.m. - Gannon vs. Caldwell
5 p.m. - Davis & Elkins vs. Ohio Dominican
Gannon Lady Knights:
Overall Record (2011): 20-12
PSAC Record (2011): 14-5, 2nd PSAC West
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For the first time since 2008, the Lady Knights will open the season at home. The last season-opener at the Hammermill Center resulted in a 3-0 win for Gannon over Lake Erie.
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Gannon was picked second in the PSAC Western Division preseason coaches poll, matching their finish among the division last season.
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The Lady Knights completed an undefeated home schedule last season with an 11-0 record. Their record at the 'Mill over the last three seasons is an impressive 33-5.
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Gannon produced the third-straight 20-win season to go along with a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Both are the first such streaks for the program since the 1993-95 seasons.
D&E Elkins Senators
Head Coach: Ashley Pappas
Overall Record (2011): 12-27
WVIAC Record (2011): 4-10
Team Leader Kills (2011): Keather Zapf - 2.61/set
Team Leader Blocks (2011): Brandi Brown - 0.78/set
Team Leader Assists (2011): Jana Lowe - 0.31/set
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Davis & Elkins returns four seniors from last year's 12-27 season for first-year head coach Ashley Pappas
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The Lady Senators bring in four freshmen for this season. The four girls include, Kayla Huckaby, Natalie Mathieu, Haylee Murray and Brittany Behensky.
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Gannon has never lost to Davis & Elkins, holding a 2-0 all-time record.
Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers
Head Coach: Christine Paciero
Overall Record (2011): 15-16
GLVC Record (2011): 11-7
Team Leader Kills (2011): Bridget Nickel - 2.93/set
Team Leader Blocks (2011): Adrienne Uthe - 0.89/set
Team Leader Assists (2011): Cayla Flood - 6.40/set
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Wisconsin-Parkside posted a 15-16 record last season including a 11-7 record in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) matches.
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The Rangers are slated to play three matches at the Hammermill this weekend taking on Caldwell, Gannon and Ohio Dominican.
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The all-time series with Gannon is tied 1-1 with Gannon earning a 3-1 win in the last meeting in 2010.
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Wisconsin-Parkside was tabbed fourth in Eastern Division of the GLVC Preaseason Poll.
Caldwell College Cougers
Head Coach: John Titus
Overall Record (2011): 26-5
CACC Record (2011): 18-1
Team Leader Kills (2011): Susan McDonough - 3.79
Team Leader Blocks (2011): Kasey Baush - 0.64
Team Leader Assists (2011): Lauren Roth - 10.25
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Caldwell is coming off a 26-5 season that saw them earn the CACC North Division regular-season title after going 18-1 in conference.
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Caldwell defeated Holy Family 3-1 in the 2011 CACC Volleyball Tournament Final, claiming the crown for the second-consecutive season.
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The Cougars were ranked No. 8 in the final NCAA East Regional rankings last season.
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Caldwell returns a pair of players that were All-CACC First Team choices in 2011, including Susan McDonough and Amber Mosher.
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The Cougers were selected preseason favorites in the CACC North Division earning 11 first-place votes.
