Cougars Return Home to Host Towson in Critical Series

Saturday, October 9

Charleston, S.C.

1:00 PM

College of Charleston

Towson

Cougars Return Home to Host Towson in Critical Series

10/8/2021 5:03:00 PM | Volleyball

Towson Match Notes (PDF)

CHARLESTON, S.C. --- After two weeks away from home, the College of Charleston volleyball team returns to the friendly confines of TD Arena to host Towson in a critical series in Colonial Athletic Association play. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday.

Charleston has won three of its last four matches in league action including a sweep of William & Mary last weekend. Towson carries a 16-2 overall record this season and a 4-2 mark in conference play after splitting with Elon a week ago.

QUICK SETS

Charleston picked up its first sweep of the campaign last Saturday cruising to a 3-0 win over the Tribe. The Cougars combined for 35 kills and a .296 hitting percentage while holding William & Mary to a .119 clip.
Freshman outside hitter Anna Smith powered the Cougars to a weekend sweep of the Tribe hitting .317 and pacing The College with 28 kills to earn her first career CAA Rookie of the Week honors. The Mendon, Mich. native tied for the team-high with nine kills in Saturday's sweep before exploding for a match- and season-best 19 kills on Sunday.
Junior Lexi Wierzbicki enjoyed a stellar offensive weekend as well with 25 kills on 50 swings in the series sweep of William & Mary. After posting nine kills on Saturday, Wierzbicki put down 16 smashes in Sunday's 3-1 victory.
Jasmin Goei stepped into the primary setter role last weekend and converted on 40 percent of her set attempts. Goei powered the Cougars' attack to 86 kills and a .279 hitting percentage - including a 51-kill performance with a .296 attacking clip on Sunday.
Gabi Bailey has set the tone for much of the season leading the team with seven double-doubles and 11 double-digit kill performances. The junior outside hitter paces the Cougars from the serving line as well with a squad-best 26 aces.
Sophomore Rebeca Olariu has donned the libero jersey for the last two weekends averaging 3.38 digs per set with 54 digs over 16 frames.
Molly Russell enters the weekend as one of the most efficient attackers in the CAA this season ranking second in the league with a .366 hitting percentage. The senior middle blocker has hit at least .400 in eight matches including a season-best 15-kill performance while hitting .591 against Campbell on Sept. 11.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS

Towson is 16-2 on the season and is tied for third in the CAA standings with a 4-2 mark through three weekends.
The Tigers lead the conference in hitting percentage (.293), kills (13.82), assists (12.87) and blocks per set (2.63).
Head coach Don Metil's squad also paces the league in opponent hitting percentage (.124), kills (10.51) and assists per set (9.48).
Junior middle blocker Lydia Wiers owns the league's highest hitting percentage (.384) while averaging 2.22 kills per set.
Five Tigers are averaging more than two kills per set this season led by Fay Bakodimou who ranks seventh in the CAA at 2.82 per frame.
Bakodimou paces the CAA in service aces per set (0.58) while Wiers (1.13) and Nikiya Mitchell (1.05) rank fourth and sixth, respectively, in blocks per set.

FAN INFO

Admission is free of charge for all College of Charleston volleyball matches at TD Arena.
Gates will open one hour prior to first serve of the opening match each day.
College of Charleston's clear bag policy is in effect for all matches played at TD Arena this fall. The full policy can be found here.
College of Charleston has instituted a campus-wide policy mandating masks covering an individual's nose and mouth be worn at all times (unless actively eating or drinking) in public areas of all campus buildings.
There is no designated general parking area for games at TD Arena. There are various parking garages and paid lots in the vicinity of TD Arena that all spectators can utilize.
Alcohol will be available for purchase at all CofC volleyball matches this fall with last call prior to the third set of the final match each day.