Sept. 9, 2011

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College volleyball team (2-6, 0-0) will try to defend its title as it hosts the Eighth Annual Friar Classic. The Friars open play on Friday, September 9, when they face St. Francis (N.Y.) at 8:00 p.m. Providence will then take on Coppin State (11:00 a.m.) and Lafayette (5:00 p.m.) on Saturday, September 10.

The Friars enter the match led by senior captain Lauren Fletcher (Syracuse, N.Y.). The middle blocker is second in the America East Confrerence in hitting percentage (.339) and fifth in kills per set (3.09). She is also averaging 0.74 blocks per set. Classmate and fellow captain Carly Morrison (Larkspur, Calif.) sets up the offense, averaging 5.69 assists per set.

The back row is led by junior libero Cassie Muzzonigro (Gibsonia, Pa.), who leads the league in digs per set at 5.00. Freshman Colleen McCollom (Indian Head Park, Ill.) is second on the team in both digs (2.43 per set) and kills (1.71 per set).

St. Francis (N.Y.) enters play this weekend with a record of 1-7, coming off their first victory of the season over St. Peter's on Tuesday, September 6. Second-year Head Coach Micha Acoba's squad is led by Marina Georgieva's 3.44 kills per set. Kamalei Clifton is the Terrier setter, posting 5.09 assists per set. Feliz Ramirez leads the back row, posting 3.90 digs per set, while Georgieva is second on the team with 2.31 digs per set.

Coppin State enters with a record of 2-6 under first-year Head Coach Millicent Sylvan-Van Norden. The Eagles went 1-3 in a tournament at Indiana State before posting a 1-2 record in the Battle of Baltimore, hosted by Towson. Coppin State fell to American on Wednesday, September 7, in its most recent match. Ariel Richard leads the attack with 2.93 kills per set. Kristine Bindule is the Eagles' setter, averaging 6.64 assists per set, while Gabrielle Otero is the top defensive player, with 3.56 digs per set.

Lafayette is the lone newcomer to the Friar Classic field. Terri Dadio Campbell is in her 10th season at the helm of the Leopards and has her squad off to a 3-2 start. They dropped a five-set match to Loyola (Md.) in their most recent outing on Wednesday, September 7. Kaitlynn Zoller and Camissa Beghou lead the attack with 2.73 and 2.00 kills per set, respectively. Sarah Frohnapfel handles the setting and is averaging 7.68 assists per set. Christy Mebust leads the defense at 4.05 digs per set.

The Friars are the defending champions of the Friar Classic, having gone 3-0 against St. Francis (N.Y.), Coppin State and Fairleigh Dickinson a season ago. Fletcher was named Tournament MVP after recording 39 kills and hitting .329. Morrison and Muzzonigro were both on the All-Tournament Team a season ago.

Eighth Annual Friar Classic Schedule

Friday, September 9
Coppin State vs. Lafayette - 6:00 p.m.
St. Francis (N.Y.) vs. Providence - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 10
Coppin State vs. Providence - 11:00 a.m.
St. Francis (N.Y.) vs. Lafayette - 1:00 p.m.
Coppin State vs. St. Francis (N.Y.) - 3:00 p.m.
Lafayette vs. Providence - 5:00 p.m.

-GO FRIARS-