Charleston Volleyball Begins Postseason Run Against Hofstra Thursday

Thursday, November 18

Towson, Md.

6:30 PM

College of Charleston

Hofstra

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Charleston Volleyball Begins Postseason Run Against Hofstra Thursday

11/17/2021 8:40:00 PM | Volleyball

Hofstra Match Notes (PDF)

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TOWSON, Md. --- The College of Charleston volleyball team will begin its quest for the program's second CAA Tournament championship on Thursday when the third-seeded Cougars face No. 6 Hofstra at 6:30 p.m. at SECU Arena in the quarterfinal round of the Colonial Athletic Association Championship presented by Primis.

Charleston (16-11, 9-7 CAA) swept a weekend series against UNCW on Saturday and Sunday to secure the third seed in the championship with a 9-7 mark in league play. Hofstra (14-13, 8-8 CAA) capped the regular season in dramatic fashion with a straight set sweep of James Madison on Sunday to even its conference mark at 8-8.

QUICK SETS

Wierzbicki and freshman Jasmin Goei each earned postseason honors from the CAA with Wierzbicki claiming a spot on the All-CAA First Team and Goei being named to the All-Rookie Team.
The Cougars have been electric from the service line this season setting four single-match records - including two of them twice - while recording at least eight aces in 13 matches. CofC set a four-set mark with 13 aces at Northeastern on Nov. 6 and established a new five-set record last Saturday against UNCW.
Seven Cougars have reached double digits in aces this season including a team-high 41 for Bailey, which is tied for eighth on the program's single-season list during the rally-scoring era.
Wierzbicki has been on a tear of late entering the CAA Championship with double-digit kills in 11 straight matches.
Senior Molly Russell and redshirt junior Claire Campbell have been remarkably efficient on the attack this season ranking third and 10th, respectively, in the CAA with hitting percentages of .350 and .281.
Freshman Tynley Smeltzer has been superb in the back row for the Cougars over the last five matches averaging 5.26 digs per set in that span while earning CAA Rookie of the Week honors on Nov. 8.
Sophomore Sammy Campion marked her return to the lineup with a bang on Saturday, dropping in five service aces in the opening frame and went on to equal her five-set, single-match record with six in the Cougars' 3-2 win over UNCW.
Bailey leads the Cougars with 11 double-doubles while Emma Appleman and Goei have accounted for eight and five, respectively.
Charleston and Hofstra meet for the third time this season on Thursday with the Cougars seeking a third straight victory against the Pride.

SCOUTING THE PRIDE

Hofstra compiled a 14-13 overall record in the regular season and posted an even 8-8 mark in CAA play.
The Pride delivered a pair of weekend sweeps against William & Mary and UNCW while adding wins against Northeastern, Delaware, Towson and James Madison.
Freshman Beatriz Alves was named the CAA Rookie of the Year while fellow rookie Chiara Cucco collected Libero of the Year accolades.
Alves and Cucco were each named to both the All-CAA Second and Rookie Teams while Ana Martinovic and freshman Florencia Wolkowyski were selected to the All-CAA First Team and All-CAA Rookie Team, respectively.
Martinovic paced the Pride with 3.25 kills per set during league play while Alves averaged a conference-best 10.12 assists per frame.
Sarah Pierre and Damla Tokman averaged 1.29 and 1.12 blocks per set, respectively, in CAA action.

QUOTABLE
"I am proud of this group for earning the third seed at the CAA Championships. They have worked extremely hard to get to this point in the season. I am looking forward to a tough challenge against Hofstra. They are a very good team that has gotten better as the season progressed. I know our team is ready and excited for tomorrow." – head coach Jason Kepner

CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Thursday, November 18 – CAA Championship Quarterfinals
Match 1: #4 Delaware vs #5 Northeastern – 4 p.m.
Match 2: #3 Charleston vs #6 Hofstra – 6:30 p.m.

Friday, November 19 – CAA Championship Semifinals
Match 3: #1 Towson vs Winner Match 1 – 4 p.m.
Match 4: #2 Elon vs Winner Match 2 – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 20 – CAA Championship Finals
Match 5: Winner Match 3 vs Winner Match 4 – 3 p.m.