BRONX, N.Y. - Returning home for the first time since the beginning of the month Fordham University Volleyball opens a stretch of three straight weekends in the Bronx, hosting George Washington for a pair of matches this weekend. The Rams will take on the Colonials Friday at 6:00 p.m. and again Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with both matches broadcast live on ESPN+.
Ramses Challenge
Fordham Athletics has a continuing fundraising challenge this year across all sports; fans can pledge support for their favorite teams in the Ramses Challenge, making a recurring donation for every service ace from Fordham Volleyball this season! Click here to be a part of the challenge! The Rams had 163 service aces last year.
For The Ramily
This Saturday's second meeting against George Washington Oct. 21 will see the Rams host Bronx Community Day, inviting guests from throughout the community to cheer on the Rams. The afternoon match against the Colonials will also feature a post game autograph signing with the team.
There's No Place Like Home
After three straight weekends away from the Rose Hill Gym, with the exception of a single game against Rhode Island, Fordham returns home for six of its next seven matches, including the two meetings with George Washington. The Rams are coming off back-to-back matches that saw them rally from down 2-0, but were outlasted in five sets at Saint Louis a week ago. Despite the result last weekend, Fordham does return to the friendly confines of The Bronx with wins in four of its first five matches on Rose Hill.
Despite the setback a number of players shined in the weekend in Missouri, including Whitney Woodrow the Rams' freshman setter, who dished out 98 assists at SLU, and leads the offense into play averaging 8.84 assists/set with 645 to her name thus far. Four players have tallied over 100 kills for Fordham this season, with Whitley Moody leading the group with 255 at 3.7 kills/set and Audrey Brown just back of her with 237 at 3.37 kills per frame. Elsewhere on offense, Zoe Talabong has rattled off 127 hammers and Nailah Jenkins has slammed 110 to round out a well-balanced Rams' attack.
Averaging just under five digs per set, Libero Mallory Lipski has led the way defensively for the Rams with 345 digs, ahead of an even 226 from Moody and another 220 from Woodrow. Talabong has collected 126 total ahead of Ryan Naumann with 118, after a career-high 18 receptions last time out. At the net, Tatum Holderied is pacing the Rams with 1.13 blocks per set, with 68.0 total blocks this season, including 10 solo, ahead of 54 total rejections from Jenkins.
The Word on George Washington
George Mason enters play at 7-13 on the year and one game below .500 in A-10 play at 4-5, most recently splitting a weekend set at home against Duquesne, falling in straight sets last Saturday. The day prior the Colonials bested the Dukes in five sets, with their other wins in conference play coming twice against Rhode Island and once against George Mason, a five set victory.
With 217 kills this season, Liv Womble paces the attack for George Washington at 2.89 kills per set, closely followed by Brittany Myers with 143 and Grace Wiczek with 118. A pair of setters have balanced the attack with Maeve Loughran leading the way at 5.74 assists per set and 413 on the year, ahead of Dilara Elmacioglu with 265 at a 4.73/set clip. On the defensive end, Amina Robinson has tallied 230 digs at 3.07 per set and Penelope Hiepler sits second with 173 receptions at 2.31 per set, while at the net Kelsey Watkins leads the team with 66 total blocks at 1.05 per set.
Next Stop
Stepping away from home for the penultimate road trip of the regular season, Fordham Volleyball will head up I-95 to The Ocean State for a midweek battle at Rhode Island Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.
