CU Volleyball Preview - vs. SUNY Canton (9/21)

Over the last two weekends, the Clarkson University Volleyball team has faced some of the top competition the New York Region has to offer and also opened up the Liberty League slate on the road. Now, the Golden Knights get a bit of a break as they will be at home for the next few matches, starting with the team's annual match up against SUNY Canton on Wednesday.

The Golden Knights, 8-4 overall and 3-1 in the Liberty League, have won 18 times in 22 meetings against the Kangaroos (5-6), though only five of those matches have come in the last 30 years. Last season, the Golden Knights swept SUNY Canton in two matches, allowing the Roos to reach 20 points in only one of the six sets played.

Though Clarkson came up one match short of a perfect opening to the Liberty League season, the Golden Knights produced solid results at Rochester. Junior Rachael Aird hit .370 over the weekend and pushed her season total to .253 as she has split time on the outside and in the middle as the team's number one offensive option. Aird is averaging 3.57 kills per set, second in the Liberty League, and is also chipping in 0.61 blocks per set. Freshman Rachel Reusch is just a little better in the blocking department so far with 0.63 blocks per set, including a total of 13 solo blocks. The first-year collegian leads the conference in hitting percentage (.341) and is second on the team with 1.96 kills per set. Senior Katrina Lane is narrowly behind in that category with 1.83 kills per set. Several underclassmen are taking advantage of their chances in starting roles for the Knights as well, with sophomore Jillian Saenz running the offense to the tune of 8.93 assists per set, which ranks third in the Liberty League, and freshman Kate Isaksen headlining the back row with 5.91 digs per set, also third in the conference. Sophomore Kendall Cheval is seventh in the league in digs with 3.15 per set and she is also Clarkson's leader in aces with 20.

SUNY Canton is one game under .500 so far, but the Kangaroos have challenged themselves with a tougher schedule. Peyton Robinson leads the team with 10.06 assists per set, distributing the opportunities around the offense. Kelsey Cornish leads the team with 3.03 kills per set, but she is closely followed by Haley Riley (2.88 kills per set) and Shea Norton (2.59 kills per set). Riley also leads the Roos with a hitting percentage of .307 and is averaging 0.50 blocks per set. Jenna Roat has been busy at libero with 6.56 digs per set, while in the front row Melissa McMaster has a team-best 0.71 blocks per set.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Rachael Aird: OH/MH/RS; 6' 0"; Junior

#11 Kendall Cheval: DS/OH; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#14 Katrina Lane: RS/OH; 5' 10"; Senior

#7 Jillian Saenz: S; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#12 Rachel Reusch: MH; 6' 2"; Freshman

#17 Kate Isaksen: L/DS; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#10 Rachael Aird
: 6' 0"; Junior
: OH/MH/RS

#11 Kendall Cheval
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: DS/OH

#14 Katrina Lane
: 5' 10"; Senior
: RS/OH

#7 Jillian Saenz
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: S

#12 Rachel Reusch
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: MH

#17 Kate Isaksen
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: L/DS