Volleyball Opens 2011 At Loyola Marymount Invitational Friday
Live Video
Complete Notes In PDF Form
2011 Loyola Marymount Invitational
Quinnipiac University Bobcats (0-0) vs.
UCLA Bruins (0-0)
Friday, Aug. 26, 2010 – 4 p.m. (PT)/7 p.m.
(ET)
Gersten Pavilion – Los Angeles,
Calif.
Quinnipiac University Bobcats (0-0) at
Loyola Marymount University Lions (0-0)
Saturday, Aug. 27 – 10 a.m. (PT)/1 p.m.
(ET)
Gersten Pavilion – Los Angeles,
Calif.
Quinnipiac University Bobcats (0-0) vs.
Cal State Fullerton Titans (0-0)
Saturday, Aug. 27 – 5 p.m. (PT)/8 p.m.
(ET)
Gersten Pavilion – Los Angeles,
Calif.
Bobcats Open 2011 At Loyola Marymount Invitational
The Quinnipiac University volleyball team opens the 2011
season Friday when it travels to Los Angeles, Calif., to take part
in the Loyola Marymount Invitational. Also taking part in the
tournament, in addition to the Lions and Bobcats, are UCLA and Cal
St. Fullerton.
Follow the Bobcats
Quinnipiac fans can follow this weekend’s action via
live video from www.lmulions.com, the official athletics website of
Loyola Marymount University.
Who’s Back For The Bobcats
Quinnipiac returns a solid core of players from last
year’s team, including senior setter Kayla Lawler, who led
the Bobcats at 8.86 assists and 0.47 service aces per set last
season. Junior libero Logan Riker leads the way for the Quinnipiac
defense, having averaged 4.19 digs per set last season. Kelby Carey
is the Bobcats top returning hitter at 2.15 kills per set, while
Olivia Grattan (0.61 b/s) and Taylor Payne (0.60 b/s) comprise a
formidable blocking duo. Tracy Wright proved herself as a
valuable defensive weapon, averaging 2.71 digs per set as a
freshman, while fellow first-year player Ashley Kopacki contributed
0.28 service aces per set.
Milestone Moments Approaching
Three Bobcats are approaching statistical milestones this
season. Kelby Carey is well within striking distance of both 1,000
kills and digs, while Logan Riker will likely reach 1,000 digs this
season. Kayla Lawler is also within range of 3,000 career
assists.
Scouting the UCLA Bruins
The Bruins are ranked 11th nationally in the preseason
AVCA poll after reaching the NCAA Tournament Second Round with a
22-9 record last season. UCLA, which has won 12 straight season
openers, is led by Rachael Kidder, whose 3.47 kills per set of a
year ago lead all returning Bruins. Senior setter Lauren Van Orden
also returns after dishing out 11.67 assists per set in 2010. She
also averaged a team-best 0.25 service aces per set. Senior middle
blocker Katie Camp’s 1.14 blocks per set and senior libero
Lainey Gera’s 4.92 digs per set lead the UCLA
defense.
Scouting the Loyola Marymount Lions
The Lions (15-15 in 2010) are led by Jasmine
Rankins’ 3.79 kills and 0.45 service aces per set of a year
ago. Setter Olivia Bailey dished out 10.19 assists per set a year
ago, while libero Lauren DeGrandmont’s 2.89 digs per set led
the team. While the Lions lose their top two blockers from last
year, Kenna Crouse (0.66) and Alyse Hensley (0.55) lead the
Lions’ returners.
Scouting the Cal State Fullerton Titans
The defending Big West Champion Titans (26-6 in 2010) must
find a way to replace league player of the year Erin Saddler and
the school’s all-time digs leader, Cami Croteau. Torrie Brown
is the Titans’ top returning hitter at 3.14 kills per set,
while Andrea Ragan is the top returner in both assists per set
(11.77) and digs per set (2.36). Ayana Whitaker’s 0.78 blocks
per set were a team best in
2010.
Aces Up
The Bobcats finished 2010 ranked 15th in the nation in
service aces per set (1.71). Individually, Kayla Lawler ranked 14th
nationally at 0.47 per set.
Dig It
Led by Logan Riker’s 4.19 digs per set, the Bobcats
ranked 113th in the nation at 15.46 digs per set last
season.
Brave New Accomplishment
Kayla Lawler became the first Quinnipiac player in nearly
nine years to win NEC Player of the Week, Oct. 11, 2010, after
leading the Bobcats to a weekend sweep of Robert Morris and Saint
Francis (Pa.). Lawler compiled a pair of double-doubles and six
service aces on the weekend. The last time a Quinnipiac player won
the award, QU’s mascot was the Braves. Heather Wollyung last
won the award on Oct. 15, 2001, the last of her four honors.
Shannon Dublin also won the award once, making Lawler the third in
QU history to be honored.
Ashley’s Aces
Freshman Ashley Kopacki compiled a season-high six service
aces against Saint Francis (Pa.) on Oct. 10, 2010. Her previous
season high was three.
On Deck
The Bobcats take part in the Maryland Invitational next
weekend. They’ll face Xavier on Friday, Sept. 2, at 4:30
p.m., before taking on host Maryland and VCU at 12:30 and 4:30
p.m., respectively, on Saturday, Sept. 3.