Volleyball Preps for Smith Invitational

BOSTON – The Suffolk women's volleyball will travel to Northampton, Massachusetts, this weekend to compete in the 2016 Smith College Invitational. Along with the Rams, the tournament will feature Albertus Magnus, Bryn Mawr, Husson, the hosts Smith and UMass Boston. 

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LAST TIME OUT
For the first time since 2012, Suffolk volleyball captured a win in its season opener as the Rams took down Massachusetts Maritime in straight sets Tuesday, Sept. 6 inside Regan Gymnasium.

MORE READING: Volleyball Slides Past Mass. Maritime in Season Opener

RUNDOWN ON THE RAMS
Suffolk defeated Mass. Maritime, 3-0, in its season opener Sept. 6 to begin the season 1-0 for the first time in four years. 

Sophomore Bridget Allison led the team in kills with seven, with classmate Talia Lombardo adding six. Liz Kerek posted 18 assists. The Rams combined for 13 service aces with newcomer Alyssa Gibson's four pacing the pack. The freshman added 10 digs and five kills, hitting a team-best .231. 

PIECES ON THE PIONEERS
Smith dropped all three of its matches at the Brandeis Invitational over Labor Day weekend to carry a 0-3 ledger into its own invitational. 

Kimani Freeman is leading the Pioneer's offense with 1.90 kps with Elizabeth Peay and Helena Wiatrowski adding 1.40 kps and 1.14 kps, respectively. Maca Rojas has directed Smith's offense as the Pioneers primary setter, putting together 5.70 aps. Defensively, Smith relies on Julie Voorhes' 4.90 dps.

EYES ON THE MATCH

EYES ON THE EAGLES
Husson is 4-2 on the year with five of its six matches being decided in straight sets. The Eagles are coming off a 3-0 victory at Maine Machias and will face Bryn Mawr Friday night before serving against the Rams. 

Three Eagles are producing two-plus kills per set in Mary Grace Power (2.53 kps), Baily Cote (2.16 kps) and Lindsay Chapman (2.11).  Hanna Hembrow has set up Husson's offense this season with first-year handing out 7.74 aps. On the defensive side of things, Sarah Wilson's commanding 6.50 dps lead the way with Cote (0.63 bps) and Delaney Chisholm (3.78 dps) contributing to the effort.

EYES ON THE MATCH

BEACONS BASICS
UMass went 3-1 at the Newport University Captains Class, defeating the University of Wisconsin Platteville (3-0), Stevenson (3-2) and Lawrence (3-0) over Labor Day Weekend to open its 2016 campaign. Prior to taking the court against Suffolk Saturday afternoon, the Beacons are set to take on Emerson and Husson.

Colleen Koen's 3.21 kps leads the way for the Beacons offensively with Eileen Shi (2.15 kps), Melanie Fyda (2.07 kps) and Julia Murphy (2.00) also contributing over 2.00 kps. Pepper Baker (6.00 aps) and Rachel Maslach (4.00 aps) have split time at the setter position, while Elizabeth Glavan (6.86 dps) and Murphy (0.79 bps) controlling UMass Boston's defense.

EYES ON THE MATCH

UP NEXT
Suffolk opens a five-match homestand Tuesday, Sept. 13 when the Rams open the GNAC portion of their schedule against Johnson & Wales. First serve is set for 7 p.m.