After one tough season-opening tournament in Florida, the Gannon women's volleyball team will travel to West Virginia for another tourney featuring stiff competition.
Gannon will play four times over two days in the University of Charleston Invitational on Friday and Saturday. The Golden Knights will face Fayetteville State and Charleston on Friday before meeting UNC Pembroke and Millersville on Saturday.
Coach
Matt Darling's Golden Knights opened the season at the Tampa Classic last weekend. Gannon started with a 3-1 win against Missouri S&T before losing to Central Missouri and No. 5-ranked Tampa.
Gannon's weekend schedule:
University of Charleston Invitational
Wehrle Innovation Center, Charleston, W.Va.
Friday, 3 p.m.: vs. Fayetteville State
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Friday, 7 p.m.: at Charleston
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Saturday, noon: vs. UNC Pembroke
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Saturday, 5 p.m.: vs. Millersville
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Opponents:
Fayetteville State
Conference: CIAA
Records: 2-2 in 2023; 16-10 in 2022
Coach: Reeshemah Johnson (14th season)
Notable: Fayetteville State lost to Elizabeth City State 3-2 in the 2022 CIAA Tournament semifinals. Elizabeth City State then won the CIAA title before losing to Gannon 3-0 in the Atlantic Regional semifinals.
Charleston
Conference: MEC
Records: 2-1 in 2023; 33-5 in 2022 (Mountain East Tournament champions)
Coach: Tyler Kanelos (3rd season)
Notable: Gannon eliminated Charleston 3-2 in the semifinals on the 2022 NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional at Highmark Events Center.
UNC Pembroke
Conference: Coastal Carolinas
Records: 3-1 in 2023; 21-14 in 2022 (Coastal Carolinas Tournament champions)
Coach: Jaleesa Harper (1st season)
Notable: After winning its conference title, UNC Pembroke lost to August in the first round of the Southeast Regional.
Millersville
Conference: PSAC East
Records: 2-2 in 2023; 16-13 in 2022
Coach: Brian Smith (14th season)
Notable: The Marauders placed sixth (6-8 record) in the PSAC East in 2022 and did not advance to the postseason.
Up next: Gannon will visit Ashland on Wednesday, Sept. 13, for the last of eight road matches to open the season. The Golden Knights will open their home schedule on Friday, Sept.15, against Kutztown.
