BROOKLYN, N.Y.— The Long Island University volleyball team has returned home after three weeks on the road to host three matches at the Steinberg Wellness Center this weekend. The Sharks open the 2019 home slate on Thursday, September 19 with a 6:00 p.m. match against San José State. In part of the Big Apple battle, LIU will then take on local foes in Fordham and Columbia on Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21 in downtown Brooklyn.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
LIU vs. San José State
Thursday, September 19
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Live Stats |
NEC Front Row
LIU vs. Fordham
Friday, September 20
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Live Stats |
NEC Front Row
LIU vs. Columbia
Saturday, September 21
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Live Stats |
NEC Front Row
NOTES ON THE SHARKS
LIU traveled down to Florida for one last early season tournament, participating in the River City Rumble. The Sharks competed in three matches against FIU, tournament host, North Florida and Charleston Southern.
Senior
Kora Schaberl represented the Sharks on the All-Tournament team at the River City Rumble after recording 4.36 kills per set on a .281 hitting percentage to go along with 2.18 digs per set. She posted her second double-double of the season in a four-set setback against Charleston Southern with a career-high 21 kills and 12 digs. Schaberl currently ranks second in the NEC with 3.62 kills per set on the season.
Freshman
Karolina Nova added 2.55 kills per set and 2.00 digs per set on the weekend for LIU. Nova along with classmates
Maria Harding and
Miranda Strongman posted eight blocks apiece this past weekend.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
San José State comes to the east coast with a 4-5 record on the season. The Spartans earned a straight set win over Marist to cap the South Bay Battle last weekend. SJSU ranks second in the Mountain West with 14.13 digs per set.
Sophomore middle blocker Haylee Nelson paces the team with 3.28 kills per set for the season. The Spartans work a two-setter system as sophomore Mamie Garard and senior Kaitlynn Zdroik have posted 6.10 and 5.50 assists per set respectively. Senior middle blocker Thailana Grajeda leads the team with 23 total blocks up front and sophomore Sarah Smevog has registered a team-high 4.09 digs per set.
SCOUTING THE RAMS
Fordham enters the weekend with a 6-3 mark in 2019. The Rams are coming off a 2-1 weekend at the Dartmouth Invitational picking up wins over Hartford and host, Dartmouth. Fordham have road matches slated against Manhattan and Columbia before taking on the Sharks Friday night.
As a team, the Rams currently pace the Atlantic-10 in digs per set at 19.88 and have held opponents to a .164 hitting percentage in the early going. Offensively, junior outside hitter McKenna Lahr leads the team with 3.03 kills per set and eight service aces in nine matches. She has also added 3.12 digs per set for the Rams. Reigning A-10 Defensive Player of the Week, senior libero Morgan Williams ranks third nationally with 6.47 digs per set. Rookie middle blocker Aria De La Rosa leads Fordham at the net with 25 total blocks.
SCOUTING THE LIONS
Columbia currently sits at 4-2 on the young season and is coming off a 2-1 weekend at the Cherry & White Challenge in Philadelphia. The Lions currently pace the Ivy League with 13.82 kills per set as a team. Matchups with Fordham and San José State precede Saturday's weekend finale against the Sharks.
Reigning two-time Ivy League Player of the Week, senior middle blocker Chichi Ikwuazom leads the nation with 5.95 kills per set through six matches. She has added a team leading 16 total blocks at the net for Columbia. Junior setter Audrey Cheng has dished out 9.50 assists per set on the season. Senior libero Kalie Wood leads the Lions with 3.64 digs per set.
UP NEXT
LIU will open Northeast Conference play next weekend with a pair of matches. The Sharks head to CCSU on Friday, September 27 before coming back to Brooklyn for a matchup against Sacred Heart on Saturday, September 28.
