Aug. 26, 2010

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -

The Providence College volleyball team opens its 2010 campaign August 27-28 with four games in Norfolk, Va., at the 2010 Spartan Classic, hosted by Norfolk State University. The Friars open up the season with Kent State on Friday, August 27 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a 3:00 p.m. showdown with host Norfolk State. The next day, Providence will take on Navy at 2:00 p.m. and UNC Greensboro at 6:00 p.m.

Head Coach Margot Royer-Johnson enters her 11th season at the helm of the Friars and will guide her club through the America East Conference for the first time. Providence is coming off a 10-16 campaign as an independent in 2009. Looking to build on last season, the Friars return five starters from last year's squad, including the team leaders in kills, assists, digs and blocks.

Junior Lauren Fletcher (Syracuse, N.Y.) led Providence in both kills (2.93 per set) and blocks (0.91 per set) in 2009, while appearing in every set the Friars played. Fletcher will be joined on the attack by classmates Shelagh Dolan (Westford, Mass.), who posted 1.46 kills per set last season, and Lauren Hendel (Lloyd Harbor, N.Y.), who returns after notching 1.73 kills per set a year ago.

The front line will have a reliable setter to get the attack started, as junior Carly Morrison (Larkspur, Calif) returns after averaging 7.54 assists per set in 2009. The Friars also add depth at the position with the addition of freshman Anne Powers (La Selva Beach, Calif.), who is expected to see the floor almost immediately for the Friars.

Sophomore Cassie Muzzonigro (Gibsonia, Pa.) will anchor the back row after recording 3.55 digs per set last year, which led the team. Her total of 341 digs was the most by a Friar freshman since 2006. Seniors Emily Morris (Hermosa Beach, Calif.) and Sondra Snyder (Norwood, N.J.) also return after averaging 1.61 and 1.49 digs per set, respectively, in 2009.

The Opposition

Kent State (0-0, 0-0 Mid-American) The Golden Flashes finished 14-17 in 2009, but return six of eight players who saw starting time during the season. Like Providence, Kent State is led by a junior middle blocker, Liva Brivule, the top returner with 3.02 kills per set in 2009.

Norfolk State (0-0, 0-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic) The second match on day one will see the Friars take on host Norfolk State. The Spartans will take the court with a young team looking to build off a 9-22 record in 2009, and a roster featuring only one senior and two juniors. They return junior setter Nicole Kessner, who was second team all-MEAC last season.

Navy (0-0, 0-0 Patriot) Day two of the tournament will see the Friars take on Navy in the first match. The Midshipmen are also looking to reload after losing five of seven regulars from a squad that went 8-21 in 2009. Sophomore Carolyn Ewert is back, however, along with her team-leading 2.69 kills per set from last season.

UNC Greensboro (0-0, 0-0 Southern) The night cap will see the Friars take on UNC Greensboro. The Spartans posted a 17-14 mark last year and return their leading hitter, senior Caley Redden, who posted 2.64 kills per set a season ago.

On-Deck

Following the Spartan Classic in Norfolk, the Friars open up their home slate, hosting Holy Cross on Wednesday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. at Mullaney Gymnasium.

Friars at the Spartan Classic (Norfolk, Va.)

Aug. 27 vs. Kent State - 11:00 a.m.

Aug. 27 at Norfolk State - 3:00 p.m.

Aug. 28 vs. Navy - 2:00 p.m.

Aug. 28 vs. UNC Greensboro - 6:00 p.m.

Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/nsu/wvball/

Note: Live stats will only be available for the current match.

-GO FRIARS-