Elmira vs. Cazenovia | Elmira vs. Plattsburgh State
Elmira at SUNY Canton | Elmira at St. Lawrence |
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ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's volleyball heads to Canton, New York, on Friday and Saturday, September 29-30, to take part in the Canton Classic, hosted by SUNY Canton and St. Lawrence University. EC begins the tournament with a 6:00 p.m. contest against Cazenovia College on Friday at St. Lawrence's Ronald T. Burkman Gymnasium.
RETURNING TO NON-LEAGUE PLAY
The Soaring Eagles had a rough start to their Empire 8 Conference schedule, as they have started league play 0-3. Elmira suffered straight-set defeats to both the Stevens Institute of Technology and Hartwick College, before enduring a 3-1 setback at the hands of Nazareth College. Returning to non-conference play might just be what EC needs, as it has started the season 7-3 against teams outside the E8. Out of the four teams competing in the Canton Classic, the Soaring Eagles already own straight-set victories over both SUNY Canton and Cazenovia College.
SCOUTING CAZENOVIA
The Wildcats have started to play better volleyball since Elmira last saw them on September 9. In that two-and-a-half-week time span, Cazenovia added two wins to its record which currently stands at 3-12 overall and 1-3 inside of North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) play. The Wildcats last competed on Tuesday, September 26, when they dropped a league match to Wells College 3-0. Heading into this weekend's event, senior outside hitter Kassondra Kreppein has been Caz's best all-around player, as she paces the team in both kills (1.31) and digs (2.60) per set. Another threat that Cazenovia can employ is outside hitter Mary MacHugh's serving ability. The sophomore from Tivoli, New York, has been lethal from the service line, as she ranks in a tie for fifth on the NEAC leaderboard in aces per set (.64).
SCOUTING PLATTSBURGH STATE
Similarly to the Soaring Eagles, the Cardinals of Plattsburgh State come into this weekend's slate of bouts riding a three-match losing streak after beginning conference play. Last weekend, Plattsburgh dropped tightly-contested State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) bouts to SUNY Potsdam (3-2), SUNY Geneseo (3-1) and SUNY New Paltz (3-1). Through 15 matches, sophomore outside hitter Hunter Grotjohn has taken control on offense, as she has recorded a team-high 529 total attacks on the year, the fourth-most in the SUNYAC, and a team-leading 132 kills. Sophomore libero Bryanne Yasui has led the Cardinals' defense, as her team-leading 3.80 digs per set average is the sixth-highest in the conference.
SCOUTING SUNY CANTON
The Kangaroos of SUNY Canton are another team that the Purple and Gold have already squared off against this year. Canton is 1-5 since facing Elmira, which dropped its overall record to 3-10. Saturday's 11:00 a.m. match against the Soaring Eagles will mark the Kangaroos' first bout this season played at the Roos House, where they went 5-5 last season, which included a 3-2 victory over EC. Sophomore outside hitter Shea Norton has continued her dominance as Canton's main offensive threat. The 6-foot-1-inch Batavia, New York, native paces the team in both kills (2.92) and service aces (.48) per set. Defensively, sophomore libero Jenna Roat has been the team's most-consistent digs producer, as the Penfield, New York, native has tallied 225 digs on the year.
SCOUTING ST. LAWRENCE
After beginning the year 7-0, the Saints have dropped five of their last eight contests, which puts their record at 10-5 overall and 1-1 inside of Liberty League play. All five of St. Lawrence's losses have either come on the road or at a neutral site, as it boasts a perfect 5-0 record at Ronald T. Burkman Gymnasium. The fuel that helps keep the Saints' offense running has been senior setter Katie Kull. The product of Victor, New York, ranks fourth in the country in assists per set (11.04). The 2015 All-Liberty League Second-Team selection's 552 total assists are the 17th-most in all of Division III. Senior outside hitter Masha Kolesnikova has also started the year off strong, as her 38 service aces this season ranks 17th nationally, in addition to owning a team-leading 2.92 kills per set average.
LOOKING AHEAD
After the conclusion of the Canton Classic, the Soaring Eagles will return to E8 play on Tuesday, October 3, with a road matchup against Alfred University. The conference bout is slated to begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena in Alfred, New York.
