CU Volleyball Preview - at Union/Bard (10/25-26)

Schuyler Meyer --<>-- schuylermeyer.com

Women's Volleyball | 10/23/2024 10:58:00 AM

Two more league contests await the Clarkson University Volleyball team, as the Golden Knights look to secure a playoff spot and home court advantage for the Liberty League First Round this weekend when the team takes on Union College and Bard College.

Live Stats at Union
Live Video at Union
Live Stats at Bard
Live Video at Bard

The Series: Clarkson edged ahead of Union in the all-time series last year, moving to 41-40 against the Garnet Chargers. The Green and Gold last fell to Union in 2016 in five sets, but have won 20 of 21 since 2012. The Golden Knights have not lost a set against Bard since the Raptors joined the Liberty League back in 2011, having won all 18 matches in that stretch (Clarkson also won the previous match back in 1985, long before the Liberty League existed).

Key Stats for Clarkson (10-12, 3-3 Liberty League): As the season has worn on, the first-year collegians have stepped forward to make larger contributions to the Golden Knights' success. Olivia Baxter, this week's Liberty League Rookie of the Week, was impressive from the service line against both St. Lawrence and RIT, recording 12 aces in those two matches to push her conference total to 1.11 aces per set, easily the best figure in the league. Outside hitter Grace Hanson has become a more frequent target on offense. In the first 13 matches of the season, Hanson topped 10 kills twice, but in the last seven outings she has recorded double figures on five occasions.

Key Stats for Union (15-6, 3-2 Liberty League): The Chargers rank second in the conference in hitting percentage (.222) thanks to making few errors, as the team has misplayed attacks at a rate of just 12.48% of its swings. Shelby McKim is third in the conference in hitting percentage at .299 while Shannon McGrath is third in the league in kills per set (3.10) while still hitting well above .200. Union is also solid at the net thanks to Maddie McCarron averaging close to a block per set and ranking second in the league in solo blocks (16). McKim is also in the top dozen names on the conference leaderboard in blocks (0.63 bps).

Key Stats for Bard (4-16, 0-4 Liberty League): The Raptors average 2.56 aces per set, led by Coral Cook at 0.59 per set, but the team also is on the receiving end of a service ace at a clip above three per game. Cook leads the team on offense with 2.50 kills per set and Annika Flittie is next at 2.30 kills per set, but both players are just over .100 in their hitting percentages. Ella Small has the top figure on the team defensively with 4.09 digs per set and Xenia Vassou is averaging 0.67 blocks per set.

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Players Mentioned

#13 Olivia Baxter: DS; 5' 6"; Freshman

#16 Grace Hanson: OH/RS; 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#13 Olivia Baxter
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: DS

#16 Grace Hanson
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: OH/RS

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#13 Olivia Baxter

#16 Grace Hanson

Players Mentioned

#13 Olivia Baxter

#16 Grace Hanson