Aug. 30, 2011

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - After an eventful weekend saw the Friars split four matches at the La Salle Invitational, the 2-2 Providence College volleyball team heads to Worcester, Mass., to take on Holy Cross on Wednesday, August 31. First serve at the Holy Cross Field House will be at 6:00 p.m.

Head Coach Margot Royer-Johnson's squad dropped its first two matches to Canisius (3-1) and Morgan State (3-2) to open the season, before coming back the next day at 7:00 a.m. to take a match 3-1 victory from La Salle, immediately followed by a four-set win over St. Peter's. The matches were moved up to the early morning to avoid the arrival of Hurricane Irene.

After the opening weekend, the Friars are led by senior captain Lauren Fletcher (Syracuse, N.Y.), who is averaging 3.65 kills per set and 0.76 blocks per set. Her .460 hitting percentage is tops in America East. The middle blocker also is closing in on 1,000 kills for her career, as she currently stands at 890 kills.

Classmate and fellow captain Carly Morrison (Larkspur, Calif.) has been solid running the offence. The setter is averaging 6.35 assists per set. Defensively, the Friars are led by junior Cassie Muzzonigro (Gibsonia, Pa.), who leads the league with 5.76 digs per set.

The Friars also are receiving a significant contribution from freshman Colleen McCollom (Indian Head Park, Ill.). The versatile freshman is second on the team in both kills (1.82) and digs (2.82) per set. Her .233 hitting percentage ranks second among freshmen in the America East.

Holy Cross stands at 1-1 after playing two matches at the Beanpot Classic, which was hosted by the Crusaders. After falling to Fairleigh Dickinson, 3-1, in the opener, the Crusaders rebounded with a sweep of Central Connecticut State before their final match against Northeastern was cancelled due to Hurricane Irene.

First-year Head Coach Erin Walker's team is led by Megan Lynch, who notched 28 kills in the two matches. Kathleen Colpoys added 16 kills, while Heather Roberts picked-up 15. Hannah Grace Stokes is the Crusader setter and is averaging 8.29 assists per set after the opening weekend. Elizabeth Watters leads the back row with 4.71 digs per game.

After the Holy Cross match, the Friars travel to San Francisco, Calif., for the USF asics/Powerade Challenge. They will face Memphis, San Francisco and Columbia September 2-3.

-GO FRIARS-