Volleyball Set to Host UAlbany Invitational Over the Weekend

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany volleyball team is set to host the second home tournament of the season, starting Friday evening at University Gymnasium. The Great Danes welcome Long Island, Yale and Dayton for the UAlbany Invitational, consisting of six matches over the two days.

UAlbany (5-7) most recently competed at the Michigan/adidas Invitational last weekend. The Great Danes went 1-2 at the tournament, defeating Western Kentucky, 3-2, and dropping matches to Arizona State, 3-2, and 25th ranked Michigan, 3-0. UAlbany is led by sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cowdrey, who is averaging 3.23 kills and 2.70 digs per set. Senior middle blocker Kamisha Kellam is averaging 2.40 kills per set and leads the team with 0.91 blocks per set. Sophomore setter Brooke Stanley leads the America East Conference with 9.84 assists per set, and has recorded a team-high 15 service aces.

Yale enters the tournament with a 4-2 record after going 1-2 at the Penn State Classic last weekend. The Bulldogs defeated New Hampshire, 3-0, and were swept in three games by both Penn State and Saint Louis. Yale is led offensively by junior outside hitter Cat Dailey, who leads the team with 3.39 kills per set. She also averages 2.67 digs per set, and is tied for the team-high in blocks with senior middle blocker Kristen Wilk, averaging 0.78 blocks per set. Sophomore libero Kelly Ozurovich leads the squad defensively, recording 3.67 digs per set.

Long Island (4-7) is led by junior Svetlana Simic, who claimed her second Northeast Conference weekly honor in as many weeks after unleashing a 33-kill performance against Stony Brook. Simic is averaging 4.35 kills and 3.33 digs per set to lead the Blackbirds. Senior middle blocker Martina Racic adds 2.66 kills per set, while senior defensive specialist Jasmine Perez paces the team defensively, averaging 4.10 digs per set. The Blackbirds hosted the Courtyard LaGuardia Volleyball Classic last weekend, defeating Houston Baptist, 3-1, in the opening match before dropping a 3-2 decision to Howard and a 3-0 match to St. John’s.

Dayton enters the weekend at 8-4 after victories over Miami (Ohio) and Louisville at the Dayton Flyer Classic last weekend. The Flyers, coached by former UAlbany head coach Kelly Sheffield, fell to Purdue, 3-2, to start the tournament before sweeping Miami, 3-0, and claiming a 3-2 win over Louisville. Dayton is led by senior middle blocker Bethany Akerhielm, who was named the tournament MVP of the Lady Vol Classic after recording a .354 hitting percentage with 30 kills, 11 digs and seven blocks. Senior setter Erin Schroeder is ranked 55th nationally and third in the Atlantic 10 in assists per set, averaging 10.38.

Dayton will take on Long Island in the opening match of the tournament on Friday at 5 p.m., while UAlbany will face off against Yale at 7 p.m. Saturday’s action begins at 10 a.m., with UAlbany and Long Island taking the court first. Dayton and Yale will follow at noon. The Bulldogs will take on Long Island at 5 p.m., before UAlbany and Dayton play the tournament finale at 7 p.m.

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UAlbany Invitational

Friday, Sept. 26

Dayton vs. Long Island, 5 p.m.

UAlbany vs. Yale, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 27

UAlbany vs. Long Island, 10 a.m.

Dayton vs. Yale, 12 p.m.

Yale vs. Long Island, 5 p.m.

UAlbany vs. Dayton, 7 p.m.