CU Volleyball Preview - vs. Union/Skidmore (10/19-20)

The final weekend of Liberty League play could either make a clear path for the fourth seed in the conference tournament or possibly create an odd mixture of ties. The Clarkson University Volleyball team hopes to keep its streak of conference tournament appearances alive as it hosts Union College and Skidmore College on Friday and Saturday at Alumni Gymnasium.

Live Stats/Live Video

The Series vs. Union: The two teams have met 75 times since 1977 with Clarkson winning 35 matches. The Golden Knights have been more dominant in the past six years, winning 14 of 15 meetings.

The Series vs. Skidmore: The Golden Knights trail in the all-time series 20-29, but have won 10 straight since beating the Thoroughbreds in the 2012 Liberty League Championship match. After losing the first set in that match, Clarkson has won 30 straight sets against Skidmore, including nine consecutive sweeps.

Key Stats for Clarkson (11-9, 2-3 Liberty League): The Golden Knights continue to win with defense, leading the Liberty League in opponents hitting percentage (.126) and digs per set (21.27) while ranking second in blocks per set (1.83) with a league-best 51 solo blocks. Junior Rachel Reusch has 30 of those solo blocks, which is more than half the league's teams own this late in the season. Reusch ranks second in the conference in blocks per set (1.02) and is also among the league leaders in kills per set (3.38) and hitting percentage (.337). Classmate Kate Isaksen continues to rank near the top of the national leader in digs per set at 7.69, while Maddie Bredehoeft is averaging 3.96 digs per set.

Key Stats for Union (13-8, 2-3 Liberty League): The Dutchwomen will play foil to Clarkson's top defense, with an offense that ranks first in hitting percentage (.237) and kills per set (12.97) in the Liberty League. Gillian Gore (3.22 kps), Lara Atalay (3.00 kps), Steph Libonati (2.25 kps, .332 hitting percentage) and Katie Moss (1.94 kps, .358 hitting percentage) create a diverse set of options for setter Sage Shimamoto (8.17 assists) to locate. Union also averages better than two aces per set.

Key Stats for Skidmore (16-9, 2-3 Liberty League): Junior middle hitter Katy Ehnstrom leads the Liberty League in hitting percentage at .378 and is averaging 3.26 kills and 0.53 blocks per set to lead the Thoroughbreds. Skidmore possesses a solid serving game, averaging 2.13 aces per set thanks to three players producing 35 aces so far this season. Lily Fitzgerald leads the team with 45 and is followed by Lauren Wolters with 40. Defensively, Allie Dillon trails only Clarkson's Kate Isaksen in digs in the Liberty League, averaging 5.29 per set.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Maddie Bredehoeft: OH; 5' 9"; Junior

#17 Kate Isaksen: L; 5' 9"; Junior

#12 Rachel Reusch: MH; 6' 2"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#5 Maddie Bredehoeft
: 5' 9"; Junior
: OH

#17 Kate Isaksen
: 5' 9"; Junior
: L

#12 Rachel Reusch
: 6' 2"; Junior
: MH

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#5 Maddie Bredehoeft

#17 Kate Isaksen

#12 Rachel Reusch

Players Mentioned

#5 Maddie Bredehoeft

#17 Kate Isaksen

#12 Rachel Reusch