Women's Volleyball at Bear Invite Preview

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The Fontbonne University women’s volleyball team hits the court for the first time this year at the Bear Invite at WashU. On Friday, the Griffins take on No. 14-ranked WashU at 3 p.m., and will finish out the evening against rival Webster at 5 p.m. On Saturday, the team closes out the Invite against North Park at 10:30 a.m., and Cornell College at 12:30 p.m.

Photo credit: CheapSeats Photography
Photo credit: CheapSeats Photography

Team Stats

August 27, 2019

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The Fontbonne University women's volleyball team hits the court for the first time this year at the Bear Invite at WashU. On Friday, the Griffins take on No. 14-ranked WashU at 3 p.m., and will finish out the evening against rival Webster at 5 p.m. On Saturday, the team closes out the Invite against North Park at 10:30 a.m., and Cornell College at 12:30 p.m.

Fontbonne (0-0) vs. No. 14 WashU (0-0)

When: August 30th, 2019

Where: WashU

Time: 3 p.m.

Live Video: HERE

Live Stats: HERE

 

Fontbonne (0-0) vs. Webster (0-0)

When: August 30th, 2019

Where: WashU

Time: 5 p.m.

Live Stats: HERE

 

Fontbonne vs. North Park (0-0)

When: August 31st, 2019

Where: WashU

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Live Video: HERE

Live Stats: HERE

 

Fontbonne (0-0) vs. Cornell College (0-0)

When: August 31st, 2019

Where: WashU

Time: 12:30 p.m.

Live Stats: HERE

 

A Look At The Griffins

  • The Griffins are coming off a 9-16 2018 campaign and went 8-10 in conference play.
  • This year, the team was picked to finish tied for fourth in the SLIAC Preseason Poll.
  • Senior Maura Rabun returns for her senior season after totaling 208 kills, a .261 hitting percentage, and 80 blocks. She went on to be named to the SLIAC All-Conference Second Team.
  • Fontbonne also brings back the likes of Megan Schaller and Emma Seiz. Schaller enters her senior season after recording 417 assists and 195 digs, while Seiz looks to surpass her 98 kills and career-high .182 hitting percentage from a season ago.

A Look At The No. 14 WashU Bears

  • The Bears are coming off a 26-8 overall record last year and made its way to the NCAA Tournament in the Second Round before falling to Illinois Wesleyan in four sets.
  • This year, the Bears look to replace its top hitters in Julianne Malek and Ifeoma Ufondu as they combined for 729 kills.
  • Tricia Brown is back after posting 187 kills in 2018, while Leila King totaled 186 and ranked second on the team with a .298 hitting percentage.
  • Setter Kirby Knapp, who was named to the UAA Honorable Mention Team, returns after leading with 1,086 assists, while defensive specialist, Zoe Baxter, also returns after totaling a team-high 558 digs in 2018.

A Look At The Webster Gorloks

  • Webster posted a 19-12 overall record in 2018 and were picked tied for first in the SLIAC Preseason Poll with Greenville.
  • The Gorloks bring back the likes of Samantha Kruse and libero Kristen Farrah to the roster.
  • Kruse was named to the SLIAC All-Conference First Team after totaling 282 kills, 38 service aces, and 419 digs.
  • Farrah, meanwhile, was named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-Central Region selection after finishing with a single season school record 882 digs. She was also named SLIAC Defensive and Player of the Year.

A Look At The North Park Vikings

  • The Vikings finished off 2018 17-14 overall.
  • Individually, the team brings back Niki Ahistrand after she totaled 316 kills, a .296 hitting percentage, and 84 blocks.
  • Senior Kajsa Meyer led the Vikings attack with 981 assists.
  • Defensively, the Vikings totaled 17.79 digs per set. The team looks to replace Mia Riccolo (494) and Lauren Willtsie (400), but they do welcome back senior Bianca Tomuta who collected 336 digs.

A Look At The Cornell College Rams

  • The Rams finished 2018 18-10 overall and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. They squared off against WashU in NCAA Regionals, but fell in straight sets to conclude its season.
  • This year, the team lost Nicole Ciari who led with 407 kills and a .293 hitting percentage.
  • However, the team still returns both Alissa McEndaffer (307) and Allison Eikenberry (272) as the both totaled over 270 kills and a .250 hitting percentage.
  • The Rams will be looking to replace setter Jillian Schulte after she dished out 1,102 assists.
  • Defensively, Sydney Meeker leads the group as she totaled 509 digs in 2018.

Fans make sure to stay updated on fontbonnegriffins.com throughout the year for full updates and recaps on the women's volleyball team.

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