Aug. 25, 2011

La Salle Invitational Notes

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Just For Starters:The Providence College volleyball team opens the 2011 season at the La Salle Invitational in Philadelphia, Pa., joining Canisius, Morgan State, St. Peter's and the host Explorers in the field. It marks the fourth-straight season Providence has opened on the road. The Friars opened the 2010 season with a loss to Kent State at the Norfolk State Invitational, the 2009 season with a loss to Hartford at Niagara University's tournament and the 2008 season with a five-set loss to Canisius at Hampton University in Virginia. The last win in a season-opener came in 2007, when the Friars swept Holy Cross at Alumni Hall. This marks the second time PC will open the season at the La Salle Invitational. The Friars fell to Fairleigh Dickinson, La Salle, Bucknell and Lafayette to start the 2005 campaign.

Friars vs. Golden Griffins:Providence and Canisius last met to open the 2008 season, with the Golden Griffins taking a five-set victory in a tournament at Hampton University. Canisius won the first two sets before the Friars stormed back to take sets three and four, forcing a decisive fifth set, which the Griffins took, 15-7.

Friars vs. Bears:Providence and Morgan State last met on the volleyball court in 2004 when the Bears took part in the first annual Friar Classic. Morgan State won the tournament, picking up wins over Quinnipiac and Gardner-Webb before taking a 3-1 decision from the Friars.

Friars vs. Peahens:The last meeting between St. Peters and Providence came in 2006, when the Friars traveled to Jersey City, N.J., and took a five-set thriller. The Peahens took the first two sets before the Friars rallied for a 30-28 win in the third set, then never trailed in the fourth set to force a deciding set. PC jumped to a 7-2 lead in the race to 15 before holding on for a 15-12 victory.

Friars vs. Explorers:Providence and La Salle last met in 2005 when the Friars opened the season at the La Salle Invitational. The Explorers dealt the Friars the second of two five-set defeats on the opening day of the season. The Friars took the first two sets of the match before La Salle rallied and took three-straight sets for the victory.

On Deck:The Friars return to the road for a match at Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., on Tuesday, August 30. The Friars and Crusaders met a season ago in PC's home opener, with Providence taking a 3-1 victory. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Field House. Providence will travel west next weekend for a tournament the University of San Francisco, featuring USF, Memphis and Columbia, before the home-opener against Brown on September 7.