CU Volleyball Preview - NCAA Quarterfinals vs. Emory University (11/21)

By: November 20, 2019

Addie Friedlander

Women's Volleyball | 11/20/2019 8:54:00 AM

For its NCAA Quarterfinals matchup, the Clarkson University Volleyball team drew top-ranked and defending national champion Emory University. The two teams will face off at 12:30 pm (CST) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Live Stats/Live Video

The Series: This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the Eagles and Clarkson, with all of those matches coming in the past five seasons. Clarkson traveled to Atlanta for a 2015 tournament and then played the Eagles twice in 2016, including the NCAA Tournament's Second Round. Clarkson was swept in the two regular-season matches in 2015 and 2016, but took a set from Emory in the NCAA Tournament in what proved to be a close match.

Key Stats for Clarkson (28-5): The Golden Knights average 18.03 digs per set, though that number has grown to 19.55 digs per set in the post-season. Three-time AVCA All-American Kate Isaksen leads one of the best back rows in the country, averaging 6.13 digs per set, while defensive specialists Emma Baxter (2.47 dps) and Celestial Barrera-Lopez (2.39 dps) help contribute to opponents' frustration. An AVCA All-American Honorable Mention for the second straight year, Rachel Reusch headlines Clarkson's offense, averaging 3.43 kills per set while three others also top two kills per set (Kristin Werdine, 2.65 kps; Maddie Bredehoeft, 2.41 kps; and Gillian Kurtic, 2.07 kps). Freshman setter Isabelle Crow has helped the Knights' hitting percentage improve by .083 this year and averages 9.71 assists per set. She and Werdine also have contributed to a much improved service game as the pair have combined 122 aces.

Key Stats for Emory (32-2): Few teams can rival Clarkson's .947 reception percentage on opponents' serves, but the Eagles are close at .943. Emory boasts five AVCA All-Americans on its roster, with three on the top two teams and two more on the honorable mention roll call. Junior Leah Saunders averages 3.18 kills per set with a .262 hitting percentage, 2.50 digs per set, 0.44 blocks per set, and 0.36 aces per set as an AVCA All-American First-Team selection. Senior Morgan McKnight (3.36 kps, .268%) and sophomore Tara Martin (3.10 kps, .299%) were both picked as AVCA All-American Second-Team members. Distributing the ball to the three talented hitters is freshman setter Cassie Srb, who ranks among the national leaders with 10.97 assists per set. Senior libero Elyse Thompson averages 4.50 digs per set and also has a .944 service reception as the most frequent target on the back row. The Eagles are hitting .247 as a team, a figure that ranks 11th in the country.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Cel Barrera-Lopez: L/DS; 5' 2"; Sophomore

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

#17 Kate Isaksen: L; 5' 10"; Senior

#14 Gillian Kurtic: MH/RS; 6' 3"; Junior

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

#2 Emma Baxter: L/DS; 5' 5"; Freshman

#11 Isabelle Crow: S; 5' 8"; Freshman

#16 Kristin Werdine: OH; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#3 Cel Barrera-Lopez
: 5' 2"; Sophomore
: L/DS

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

#17 Kate Isaksen
: 5' 10"; Senior
: L

#14 Gillian Kurtic
: 6' 3"; Junior
: MH/RS

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

#2 Emma Baxter
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: L/DS

#11 Isabelle Crow
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: S

#16 Kristin Werdine
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: OH