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Live VideoBRONX, N.Y. -- The Fordham women's volleyball team begins its 2015 season this weekend with three matches at the FGCU Hilton Garden Inn/Homewood Suites Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. Play starts Friday, Aug. 28 at 2:30 p.m. against Presbyterian. Saturday features two matches starting with the hosts, Florida Gulf Coast, at 12:30 p.m., before a 3:30 p.m. contest with New Orleans. Fans will be able to follow all three matches via live stats, while live video will be available for Saturday's matchups.
Fordham returns 10 student-athletes from last year's team, including five starters and the libero. The Rams will lean on seniors
Brianna O'Neil (229 K, 168 D),
Brennan Delsing (177 K, 168 D, 40 TB) and
Abigail Konovodoff (690 A, 203 D, 71 K). Also playing key roles for third-year head coach
Gini Ullery's squad will be sophomores
Nicole Freeley (70 K, 46 TB),
Grace Muller (281 D, 71 A) and
Sarah Skelton (96 K, 72 TB).
Returning from a season-ending injury in the first match of 2014 is junior
Kristen Ostach, who produced 42 kills as a freshman. Sophomore
Emily Fronk also looks to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2014, as she tallied 78 assists over seven matches. Fellow classmates
Clarissa Cartledge (42 digs) and
Molly Oshinski (49 K, 61 D) also add depth to the Fordham roster.
The Rams welcome three newcomers to the squad in freshmen
Breanna Jones,
Olivia LaPorta and
Natalie Martinez. All three bring height to the program and will look to blend into an already deep front line.
Presbyterian2014 Season: 12-16 (7-7 Big South)
When: Friday, Aug. 28 - 2:30 p.m.
Where: Fort Myers, Fla. (Alico Arena)
What You Need To Know: The Blue Hose appear to be a young team on paper with the addition of six freshmen to the roster, which also includes three sophomores, three juniors and one senior. Presbyterian returns two full-time starters in sophomores Rachel Elshoff (224 K, 278 D, 37 SA) and Ashton Stewart (201 K, 52 D, 68 TB) and two part-time starters in juniors Halle Tripp (97 K, 45 D) and Mikayla Register (192 digs).
Florida Gulf Coast2014 Season: 19-11 (11-3 Atlantic Sun)
When: Saturday, Aug. 29 - 12:30 p.m.
Where: Fort Myers, Fla. (Alico Arena)
What You Need To Know: The Eagles also appear to be young, with eight of their 14-member roster listed as a freshman or a sophomore, including five first-year players. Senior Eleonora Kazarian, one of two on the squad, started every match but one in 2014, and produced 402 kills, 276 digs, 80 total blocks and 28 service aces. A trio of sophomores - Lauren Tutwiler (110 K, 58 D, 76 TB), Mackenzie Allen (134 K, 212 D) and Courtney Stephens (235 D, 26 SA) - also saw plentiful starting time last season.
New Orleans2014 Season: 6-24 (0-16 Southland)
When: Saturday, Aug. 29 - 3:30 p.m.
Where: Fort Myers, Fla. (Alico Arena)
What You Need To Know: The Privateers are looking to rebound from a dreadful 2014, which saw them win only six matches. They return two starters in sophomore Rondolyn Bryant (149 K, 54 TB) and senior setter Sara Hammoutene (709 A, 163 D, 25 SA, 25 TB), while seniors Celeste Ramirez (286 D, 138 SA, 21 SA) and Lauren Levy (265 D, 23 SA) also saw significant action last season.
Up NextFordham returns to action Wednesday, Sept. 2 when it welcomes St. Francis Brooklyn inside the Rose Hill Gym for the 2015 home opener, with first serve slated for 7 p.m.
