Skip To Main Content

Scoreboard

Clarkson University Athletics

CU Volleyball Preview - at Susquehanna Tournament (9/20-21)

By: September 19, 2019
McEwenMegan2019action2

Women's Volleyball | 9/19/2019 7:00:00 AM

With apologies to the Colorado College Tournament the first weekend, no larger weekend challenge will face the Clarkson University Volleyball team until the postseason as the Golden Knights will face four teams receiving votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll when the team travels to the Susquehanna Tournament on Friday.

Live Stats/Live Video

The Series: Clarkson has mixed success against its four opponents this weekend. The Knights have never faced their first opponent, Johns Hopkins, but each of the other three squads have all played Clarkson at various times in the last decade. Against Mount Union, the Green and Gold are 0-3 with losses coming in 2012, 2013 and 2015. Heidelberg has defeated Clarkson in the last two meetings (2016 and 2017) with the Knights earning a win back in 2013. Clarkson is 3-1 all-time against Susquehanna, including a three-set win in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.

Key Stats for Clarkson (11-0): Ranked 23rd in the country for the second straight week, there are two statistics that point to the Golden Knights' success so far in 2019. Clarkson's hitting percentage (.263, 14th in NCAA Division III) is 100 points higher than the team's rate from a year ago. Additionally, the Green and Gold are 22nd in the country in aces per set (3.16), more than double their per game output from 2018. Clarkson has recorded 117 aces overall, just 39 fewer than the total of 156 last season, thanks to the efforts of freshmen Kristin Werdine (31 aces) and Isabelle Crow (22 aces).

Key Stats for Johns Hopkins (8-0): Along with Clarkson, the Bluejays are one of 14 teams in the country that remain unbeaten, and the team is gaining notice in the national polls with 68 points, ranking them just outside the top 25. Johns Hopkins is eighth in the country in hitting percentage at .276 thanks to a diverse offense run by Natalie Ashton (11.57 assists per set). Simone Bliss leads the team with 3.75 kills per set (.277 hitting percentage), Louisa Kishton is second at 3.50 kills per set (.313 hitting percentage) and Eleni Panagopoulos pitches in 3.00 kills per set (.285 hitting percentage). Kishton also averages 4.39 digs per set.

Key Stats for Mount Union (11-3): The Raiders are the last team in the AVCA poll to receive votes on multiple ballots, earning five points overall. Mount Union is 12th in the country in hitting percentage and the team is democratic in spreading out the statistics. Madeline DiBease leads the team with 3.14 kills per set, Breanna Arnett is second at 2.64 kills per set, and Maria Ellesin averages 2.18 kills per set with a .316 hitting percentage. Katie May (5.10 assists per set) and Mollie Thomas (4.98 assists per set) split the setting duties while Alyssa Kasaris averages 4.98 digs per set. Bethany Matuska (0.85 blocks per set) and Marlee Peck (0.76 blocks per set) provide a tough combination up front for opposing hitters.

Key Stats for Susquehanna (9-3): The River Hawks got on the national radar thanks to a sweep of 10th-ranked Carnegie Mellon this past weekend and are a few ticks ahead of Mount Union in the poll with eight points. Susquehanna ranks 35th in the country in hitting percentage (.239) thanks to a trio of big hitters in Rosina Esposito (3.60 kills per set), Sydney Portale (3.43 kills per set) and Kody Dillon (.338 hitting percentage). Dillon is also the team's leader with 0.95 blocks per set thanks to 40 block assists. Lindsey Pugh leads the team with 10.38 assists per game and Lizzie Herestofa is the team's top defender with 4.52 digs per game.

Key Stats for Heidelberg (9-2): Wins over two ranked teams (Aurora/Wittenberg) and two five-set losses to teams ranked in the top 15 in the country (Berry/Wisconsin-Whitewater) have Heidelberg ranked 25th in the country. No particular player stands out statistically, a testament to Heidelberg's depth and the quality of its early-season opponents. Amy Feczer is hitting .354 with 2.86 kills and 0.70 blocks per set, while Olivia Cristian (2.81 kills per set) and Taylor Valentine (2.69 kills, 3.62 digs per set) are also frequent targets on offense. Sarah Oney leads the team with 5.52 digs per set and Anna McNabb (6.23 assists per set) and Julianna Pena (4.52 assists per set) run the offense.



 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Isabelle Crow

#11 Isabelle Crow

S
5' 8"
Freshman
Kristin Werdine

#16 Kristin Werdine

OH
5' 8"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Isabelle Crow

#11 Isabelle Crow

5' 8"
Freshman
S
Kristin Werdine

#16 Kristin Werdine

5' 8"
Freshman
OH