Match #1 – Friday, October 10 – 5:00 PM
Robert Morris at Saint Francis U. (7-11, 3-1 NEC)
DeGol Arena – Loretto, Pa. Against the Red Flash – Robert Morris holds a 51-9 edge over Saint Francis U. in its history, winning its last 10 matches against the Red Flash. The Colonials' last loss to their in-state rivals came in the 2008 NEC Tournament. In terms of regular-season matches, RMU has won 15 straight over SFU. Only three of the matches during the 10-game streak have come down to five sets, and four of them were three-set sweeps.
Scouting Saint Francis U. – The Red Flash were picked to finish sixth in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, but have exceeded those expectations thus far with an overall record of 7-11 and a 3-1 mark in conference play. SFU's lone NEC loss came last weekend at Bryant in five sets, while some of its notable non-conference wins include Morgan State and Montana. Leading the Red Flash offense is junior outside hitter Hannah Kutny, who has compiled 218 kills this season. Assisting on the majority of those kills is senior setter Alanna Blenkarn, who has dished out 714 helpers in her last go-around at SFU. Defensively, freshman libero Jenna Veres paces the Red Flash in digs with 309. Sophomore middle blocker Sophie Murdock is their stopper inside as she's collected 63 blocks (7 solo, 56 assists) this season.
Match #2 – Saturday, October 11 – 2:00 PM
Robert Morris at NJIT (6-13)
Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center – Newark, N.J. Against the Highlanders – The Colonials have played NJIT just once in program history, winning in straight sets on Sept. 29, 2006 at the Dartmouth Invitational. Tawyna Storino registered a double-double with 38 assists and 12 digs, while Jennifer Stambaugh and Emily Wolthuis each tallied 14 kills.
Scouting NJIT – The Highlanders enter this matchup with an overall record of 6-14, having beaten common opponent Fairleigh Dickinson in four sets. NJIT has also played UMass Lowell, Central Connecticut State, and St. Francis Brooklyn, losing to those teams respectively in four, three, and three sets. Three different players are over 150 kills for the Highlanders, including senior outside hitter Fran Edmondson who leads the team with 170. Freshman setter Alyssa Armada has dished out an even 500 assists this season, while senior outside hitter Camilla Tinari leads the team in digs with 225. Senior middle blocker Valerie Carroll paces NJIT defensively with 50 blocks (3 solo, 47 assist).
Looking Ahead – Robert Morris will make the short trip into the Steel City next Wednesday as it takes on Duquesne. The Colonials have dropped their previous six matches to the Dukes, last winning in 2007. In that four-set victory, Tawyna Storino notched a double-double with 59 assists and 10 digs. Emily Wolthuis and Cassie Lee combined for 39 kills, collecting 20 and 19 respectively.
Networking with the Colonials – Become a fan of the Colonials on Facebook by searching for the "Robert Morris Volleyball" page. Fans can also follow the Colonials on Twitter
@RMUVolleyball to get updates on the team throughout the season.
Know Your Enemy –
Becky Jay has been efficient in her career against Saint Francis U., collecting 29 kills at a .350 hitting percentage with 22 blocks. Last season, she hit at a .452 clip with seven blocks against the Red Flash.
Hannah Hoffman has dished out 191 assists and 10 service aces versus the Colonials' in-state rival. She's also picked her spots in attacking situations, tallying 16 kills on a .419 hitting percentage.
Last season,
Arden Fisher picked up 16 kills and 22 digs against SFU.
Blockin' Becky – With six more blocks,
Becky Jay will become the fifth player in program history to reach 400. The four others are Kristie Tuxford (460), Amanda Graham (438), Hannah Veith (422), and Janette Schneider (414).
With eight more block assists, Jay will move into second all-time in that category, surpassing Veith (342). Graham is the program's leader in block assist with 358.
Can You Dig It? – A week after moving into sixth-place all-time at RMU in digs,
Melissa Bograd set a new career-high in that department with 30 in a five-set victory at Bryant. This is the sixth time Bograd has collected at least 25 digs in a match, and the third time this season alone.
