September 3, 2010

2010 Yale Invitational

Quinnipiac University Bobcats (0-3) vs.
University of Rhode Island Rams (1-2)
Friday, Sept. 3, 2010 - 5 p.m.
John J. Lee Amphitheater - New Haven, Conn.

Quinnipiac University Bobcats (0-3) vs.
Yale University Bulldogs (0-0)
Saturday, Sept. 4 - 1 p.m.
John J. Lee Amphitheater - New Haven, Conn.

Quinnipiac University Bobcats (0-3) vs.
Stony Brook University Seawolves (0-4)
Saturday, Sept. 4 - 5 p.m.
John J. Lee Amphitheater - New Haven, Conn.

Bobcats Return To Action At Yale Invitational
The Quinnipiac University volleyball team travels down Interstate-91 to take part in the Yale Invitational along with Rhode Island, Stony Brook and the host Bulldogs this Friday and Saturday. The Bobcats look to get in the win column after falling in each of three matches at the Beanpot Classic.

Follow the Bobcats
Live stats for all matches, as well as live video for Saturday's match against Yale will be available. To access the live stats, please click on the appropriate links on the volleyball schedule at www.quinnipiacbobcats.com.

Scouting the Rhode Island Rams
The Rams went 1-2 at the Colgate Classic, defeating Fairfield, 3-1, before falling in five sets to Colgate and being swept by Syracuse. Rachel Zarazan led the way with 33 kills on the weekend, while Annie Nelson (52 assists) and Candice Kolkka (30 assists) split setter responsibilities. Kalyn Klaess had a team-high 26 digs, while Jill Anderson ran away with the team-lead in blocks with 19.

Scouting the Yale Bulldogs
Yale begins its season with this weekend's tournament, following a 21-4 campaign in 2009. The Bulldogs are faced with the task of replacing their two most potent hitters, Cat Dailey (299 kills) and Alexis Crusey (253 kills) from 2009. Yale's top returning hitter is Bridget Hearst, who racked up 194 kills in 2009. Kerry Clavadetscher also returns after leading the Bulldogs with 775 assists last season. Haley Wessels is also back for Yale after compiling a team-best 65 blocks in 2009.

Scouting the Stony Brook Seawolves
Stony Brook fell in all three matches of the University of Minnesota's Golden Gopher Invite, in addition to a 3-0 loss at St. John's on Tuesday. Stony Brook is led by Alicia Nelson, who's compiled 45 kills in four matches so far this season. Setter Corinne Perry has seen the majority of time running the Stony Brook offense, compiling 95 assists. Jeanette Gibbs leads the Seawolves' defense with 40 digs, while Evann Slaughter has a team-high seven blocks.

Starting Strong
A pair of newcomers to the Bobcats made impressive debuts at the Beanpot Classic. Graduate student transfer Amanda Armstrong (Waukesha, Wis.) was named to the All-Tournament Team after totaling 30 kills on the weekend, including 15 against Fordham. Freshman Tracey Wright (Fair Lawn, N.J.) had 44 digs on the weekend, including 17 to conclude the weekend against Boston College.

Lawler Sets New Record
Sophomore Kayla Lawler (Louisville, Ky.) compiled a new personal four-set single-match record with 46 assists against Fordham. Her previous record was 41, set twice in her freshman year of 2008. Her five-set record is 53, set last Oct. 9 at St. Francis (N.Y.).

Sophomore Surge
Taylor Payne (Warwick, N.Y.) began her sophomore season with a team-high 31 kills at the Beanpot Classic. At 3.10 kills per set, Payne has shown marked improvement from her 0.90 kills per set average as a freshman.

Returning Cast
Quinnipiac returns much of last season's core of student-athletes, as well as its 2008 Team MVP. Junior setter Kayla Lawler, who almost solely ran the Bobcats' attack, returns as team captain after dishing out 785 assists in 2009. The team's leading hitter, Kelby Carey (Surfside, Calif.), also returns for her junior season, a year after piling up 317 kills. Sophomore libero Logan Riker (Bowling Green, Ohio) is also back for the Bobcats after compiling 406 digs as a freshman. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore outside hitter Stephanie Biediger (Houston, Texas) returns to the Bobcats after missing the 2009 season due to injury. Biediger was named Team MVP as a freshman after recording 233 kills, 244 digs, 31 blocks and 66 assists.

On Deck
The Bobcats return to action next Friday and Saturday when they play host to Dartmouth, Hartford and St. Peter's in the Quinnipiac Invitational. Friday's matches are scheduled for 4:30 and 7 p.m., while Saturday features 11:30, 2, 4:30 and 7 o'clock starts. The Bobcats will be featured in the nightcap both days, as well as at 2 p.m. on Saturday.