Volleyball’s Home Tri-Match Saturday Features Gordon, Fitchburg State

SUFFOLK vs. GORDON - PROGRAM
Date Time Venue Video Stats Series Last Meeting   Last Suffolk Win Streak	Saturday, Oct. 23 11:00 AM Smith Court Boston, Mass. Suffolk Stretch GoSuffolkRams.com Suffolk Trails, 2-7 Sept. 17, 2019, L, 3-0 Oct. 17, 2013, W, 3-0 L5

SUFFOLK vs. FITCHBURG STATE - PROGRAM
Date Time Venue Video Stats Series	Saturday, Oct. 23 3:00 PM Smith Court Boston, Mass. Suffolk Stetch GoSuffolkRams.com First Meeting

BOSTON – Suffolk volleyball hosts Gordon and Fitchburg State in a tri-match Saturday, Oct. 23. The Rams will play against the Fighting Scots first at 11 a.m., before wrapping up the day at 3 p.m. versus the Falcons. 

SOCIAL SAYINGS
Ram Nation has a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student-athletes and teams by following the Rams on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #RamNation a behind-the-scene look at Suffolk Athletics.

SUFFOLK ATHLETICS 2021-22 FAN POLICY
Suffolk University Athletics, following guidance from the University's health and safety protocols, Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), Centers for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, plans to allow fans to attend home athletic contests during the 2021-22 academic and athletic year.

Fans, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, can attend games. They must be masked the entire time they are on campus, pursuant to institutional policy, and complete a health screening form at the security desk of each building upon arrival. This policy applies to home contests played on campus at the Ridgeway Building's Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court, as well as the Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink and the Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink.

For outdoor outings, specifically at East Boston Memorial Park, fans are asked to respect COVID safety protocols. At this time, masks will not be mandated for fans no matter vaccinated status at outdoor venues.

MORE READING: Suffolk Athletics Announces Fan Policy for 2021-22

LAST TIME OUT
Suffolk volleyball opened a five-match homestand on the wrong side of a straight set decision to Regis Thursday night at the Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court. The setback came by scores 25-21, 25-19 and 25-17. 

MORE READING: Regis Blocks Volleyball in Straight Sets

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk has gone 1-1 over the week to move to 8-14 on the year and 2-4 in CCC contests.  

McKenna Keowen powers the attack with a 3.35 kps behind a .213 attack percentage. Jasmine James (1.93 kps) and Julia Leavey (1.51 kps) are consistent contributors to the offense, that is set up by Harmony Johnson (4.93 aps) and Jayla Martinez (3.93 aps).  

Kenzley Bell's 3.89 dps anchors the Rams' defense that receives 2.40 dps from Keowen and 0.64 bps by Alina Nowakowski. 

FIGHTING SCOTS FACTS
Gordon fell in straight sets at Endicott to dip to 10-9 on the season and 3-3 in CCC action. 

Valerie Nilan's 3.28 kps leads the attack with Jordan Shaduk supplying 2.66 kps. Kate Howe handles the setter role with 7.75 aps. Hayley Robinson records 4.34 dps to pace the defense that receives 0.92 bps from Nilan. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Saturday's showdown is the 10th meeting all-time versus Suffolk and Gordon. 
• The Rams trail the all-time series, 2-7, and have fallen in five straight against the Fighting Scots. 
• Both of the blue-and-gold's victories over Gordon came in straight sets in 2010 and 2013, respectively. 
• Six matches were decided in sweeps. Suffolk is 2-4 in such decisions. 
• A pair of battles were the distance with the Fighting Scots winning both 3-2 outings. 
• Suffolk and Gordon went to four sets once, in 2011, which the Fighting Scots won.

EYES ON THE MATCH

FALCONS FACTS
Fitchburg State snapped a 16-match skid with a straight set win at Mass. Maritime to move to 2-17.  

The Falcons offense is limited to just 6.56 kps and is led by Leah Sheehan's 1.60 kps. Lauren Riccardi is the only other play to average over 1.00 kps with 1.37 kps to her credit. Meredith Taylor sets up the offense with 2.88 aps. Defensively, Amy Coelho's 2.51 dps paces the pack with Samantha Mirra adding 2.40 dps. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk and Fitchburg State will meet for the first time. 

EYES ON THE MATCH

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk will be back at Smith Court Monday, Oct. 25 when it closes its non-conference calendar against Emmanuel at 7 p.m.