Friday, September 4th:
St. Mary'sUniversity vs. Bentley College at 2:00 PM
Lockhaven University vs. Dowling College at 4:30 PM
St. Mary's University vs. Dowling College at 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 5th:
Bentley College vs. Lock Haven University at 11:00 AM
St. Mary's University vs. Lock Haven University at 1:30 Pm
Bentley College vs. Dowling Collegeat 4:00 PM
MEET THE TEAMS
The Lock Haven University Lady Eagles kicked off the 2009 season by going 2-1 at the Tampa Classic last weekend. The only loss for The Haven was to No. 10 Tampa. LHU, who was picked to win the PSAC Eastern Division in '09 downed Georgian Court and Wheeling Jesuit, 3-0 each, to get the early season win streak going. Leading Lock Haven thus far has been sophomore Haley Gribler, who is averaging 8.3 kills-per-match and has a team-high 25 on the season. Not far off that pace thru three matches is Xuan Gao and Christie Naumann, who've recorded 23 and 22 respectively.
Bentley University, an NCAA Division II tournament participant each of the last five years, is opening its 2009 season this weekend. The Falcons selected as the preseason favorites in the Northeast-10 Conference, have ten players back from last year's 21-12 team, including senior captains Alex Kearney, Cassie Kraft and Kristine Mickelson. Kearney, who has already topped 1000 kills and 1000 digs for her career, is a three-time first team All-Northeast-10 honoree. Kraft was the 2008 NE-10 Liberio of the Year, and Mickelson was a third-team All-Conference pick last fall.
The St. Mary University Rattlers enter play this weekend with a 1-4 record after dropping a three-set match against Texas A&M-Kingsville Wednesday night on the road. St. Mary's went 1-3 at the season-opening St. Mary's/Texas Med Clinic Invitational, which featured nationally ranked Florida Southern and Metro State. Leading the way for the Rattlers is newcomer Luisa Rodriguez, who is averaging a team-best 2.19 kills and 2.38 digs per set. Defensively Stephanie Flores is averaging 4.53 digs per set, while Kirstin Chapman is picking up 1.69 kills and .69 blocks per set. The Rattlers have had a balanced attack, with eight players averaging 1.00 kills per set. This weekend's tournament is the continuation of a seven-match road trip.
The Golden Lions swept their opening double header against the Pace University Setters and the Bridgeport Purple Knights. Maja Potpara had a personal best 49 assists versus the Setters and earned herself ECC Player of the Week honors. Bethany Shepard took home ECC Rookie of the Week with a 19 kill performance against the Setters as well.
