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Women's Volleyball October 26, 2016

CU Volleyball Preview - at Emory National Invitational (10/28-29)

Just one more warm up weekend remains before the Clarkson University Volleyball team enters the post-season, and that warm up will certainly pose some challenges as the Golden Knights travel to Atlanta to take on four regionally-ranked teams at the Emory National Invitational.

The Golden Knights are just one win away from their 10th straight 20-win season, and 13th in 14 years, but the team will certainly be challenged by its opponents in Atlanta. On Friday, the Golden Knights will take on Randolph-Macon (19-4) at 12:00 noon and will then face eighth-ranked Emory (23-5) at 6:30 pm. On Saturday, Clarkson faces Washington & Lee (21-6) at 11:00 am before closing out the tournament against Susquehanna (27-5) at 3:00 pm. All four have fit in the regional rankings in the last 10 days, and two are currently in the AVCA Coaches' Poll or are receiving votes just outside the top 25.

Clarkson went 2-2 in its last weekend in Liberty League play to settle into a tie for first-place in the Liberty League, and earned the second seed due to Vassar College earning the tie-breaker against the Knights. Clarkson is led on offense by its two dynamic middles, junior Rachael Aird and freshman Rachel Reusch. Aird leads the country in hitting percentage among players with 400 kills or more, and averages 3.66 kills per set, which is second in the Liberty League. She is also chipping in 0.72 blocks per set, which is fourth, thanks to 31 solo blocks and 48 block assists. Reusch leads the Liberty League with a .343 hitting percentage, a figure that puts her in the 50 nationally, and averages 2.20 kills and 0.87 blocks per set. Clarkson's defense has five players averaging two digs or more per set, led by freshman libero Kate Isaksen's 5.90 digs per game. Isaksen is in the top 20 in the country in that category.

Randolph-Macon enters the tournament having won 11 straight matches and owns a record of 19-4 overall. Last season, the Golden Knights dropped a three-set match against the Yellow Jackets, but both teams still were able to make it to the NCAA Quarterfinal round as one of the final eight teams standing in the NCAA Tournament. Mariah Clark leads the team with 3.67 kills per set while Miranda Hall tacks on 3.24 kills per set. Erin Quinn in ninth in the nation with 10.65 assists per set while Samantha Sallade leads the team with 4.39 digs per set. Randolph-Macon is both efficient on offense and tough up front, ranking in the top 50 in the country in both hitting percentage and blocks per set. Colleen Beaver averages a block per set, while Emily Fitzwater is close with 0.84 blocks per set.

Emory is one of the top teams in the country year-in and year-out, having won the national title back in 2008. This year the Eagles have spent the season in the top 10 in the nation and are currently eighth in the national poll. Jessica Holler ranks in the top 15 in the country in hitting percentage at .384 with 3.08 kills per set to go along with 0.92 blocks per set. Sydney Leimbach isn't far behind with a .360 hitting percentage that places her in the top 30 nationally. Sarah Maher and Leimbach each average better than two kills per set, with setter Sarah Porter producing 8.69 assists and 0.44 aces per set.

On Saturday, Clarkson opens with Washington & Lee, another team with an impressive middle with a high hitting percentage. The Generals have several hitters to locate, but Mackenzie Shand is the most efficient with a .395 hitting percentage (top 15 nationally) and she also contributes with 1.33 blocks per set, which is fifth in the country. Shand averages 2.26 kills per set, but Meg Guignon (3.13 kps), Elly Cosgrove (2.56 kps) and Allison Webb (2.45 kps) get many more swings. Elena West distributes them all well with 7.40 assists per set.

Clarkson swept Susquehanna last year, but the River Hawks are improved with a record of 27-5 overall and 10 consecutive wins. Morgan Love leads the team with 3.04 kills per set, but Erin Byrne isn't far behind with 2.83 kills per set and a .361 hitting percentage, which is in the top 30 nationally. Maggie O'Hearn averages 9.67 assists and 2.53 digs per set, just behind Kasey Bost who has 2.90 digs per set and a team-best 52 aces. Carolina Beohm is the team's top defender with 3.85 digs per set, while Leana Carvin averages 0.82 blocks per set.
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Players Mentioned

Rachael Aird

#10 Rachael Aird

OH/MH/RS
6' 0"
Junior
Rachel Reusch

#12 Rachel Reusch

MH
6' 2"
Freshman
Kate Isaksen

#17 Kate Isaksen

L/DS
5' 9"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Rachael Aird

#10 Rachael Aird

6' 0"
Junior
OH/MH/RS
Rachel Reusch

#12 Rachel Reusch

6' 2"
Freshman
MH
Kate Isaksen

#17 Kate Isaksen

5' 9"
Freshman
L/DS