Volleyball Heads to Buffalo To Begin 2009 Season
8/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
MATCH NOTES (.pdf)
VS. FORDHAM
AUGUST 28 - 4:30 p.m.
SHU VS. Fordham All-Time: 17-2
Last Meeting: Oct. 1, 2008
Location: South Orange, N.J.
Result: 3-0 Win
SCOUTING THE RAMS
Fordham has 14 returning players to a squad posted an 18-16 mark in 2008. Setter Katherine Burrell returns after setting the single-season assist mark with 1,224. Senior Jolanda Gunning-Snowden is the Rams top offensive threat and has had success against SHU, averaging 3.31 kills per set and posting .308 attack percentage in four matches.
VS. BOSTON COLLEGE
AUGUST 29 - 10:30 a.m.
SHU VS. BC All-Time: 17-5
Last Meeting: Sep. 16, 2006
Location: Providence, R.I.
Result: 3-0 Win
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
BC went 8-24 one season ago, but have an experienced squad, returning eight letterwinners. Captains Melanie Cimino and Brennan Clark are the ones to watch for the Eagles. Cimino led the squad with 60 blocks and was third on the team with 154 kills. Clark anchored the defense, posting 320 digs.
AT BUFFALO
AUGUST 29 - 7:00 p.m.
SHU VS. Buffalo All-Time: 2-0
Last Meeting: Sep. 9, 1995
Location: South Orange, N.J.
Result: 3-1 Win
SCOUTING THE BULLS
First year head coach Todd Kress hopes to turn things around for Buffalo after an 8-24 campaign. The Bulls have 12 returning players including top offensive threat, Kristin Bignell. Bignell led the team in kills (252) and attack percentage (.308). Junior setter Lindsey Schlegel will guide the offense after averaging 8.40 assists per set. Schlegel is also a strong defensive player who posted 2.35 digs per set.
PUT IT IN THE (RECORD) BOOKS
Allie Matters shattered the single-season dig record last season with 526, topping the previous record by 111 digs. She is also second on the career dig list with 1,331 and is just the sixth player to break the 1,000-dig plateau.
SINGLE-SEASON DIG LEADERS
1. 526 Allie Matters 2008
2. 415 Jessica Pompei 2006
3. 413 Jessica Pompei 2005
4. 396 Allie Matters 2007
5. 362 Rachel Meeker 1988
CAREER DIG LEADERS
1. 1,496 Jessica Pompei 2003-06
2. 1,331 Allie Matters 2006-Present
3. 1,236 Laura Romeika 1988-91
4. 1,072 Jennifer Chesire 1994-97
5. 1,071 Caroline Kaufmann 1991-94
HOMECOMING FOR A SENIOR
Senior Allie Matters will get a chance to play in her hometown of Buffalo this weekend in front of her family and friends.
HOME SWEET HOME
SHU finished 9-2 at home this season, and have won 13 of its last 15 at Walsh Gym, dating back to 2007.
DE-FENSE!
The Hall lead the BIG EAST in digs per set, averaging 15.76 scoops, and were ranked 49th in the nation in that category in 2008. With the return of standout libero Allie Matters, SHU should be among the nation's leaders once again in 2009.
TROUBLE ON THE ROAD
For as much success the Pirates have had at home, they have had an equally tough time away from Walsh Gym. SHU has lost 11 of its last 12 road matches dating back to 2007.
PIRATES PICKED 12TH IN PRESEASON BIG EAST POLL
SHU was to finish 12th in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches Poll. Last season, the Pirates finished 10th and were two matches out of the final postseason spot.
2009 CAPTAINS
Senior Allie Matters and junior Sarah Osmun have been named Co-Captains of this year's squad.
