Women's Volleyball | August 24, 2018

NEWARK, Del. - The La Salle University volleyball team opens the 2018 season at the Delaware Classic, beginning Friday on the campus of the University of Delaware. The Explorers will face Morgan State in the first match of the day on Friday, beginning at 3:00 p.m., before squaring off against Villanova and the Blue Hens on Saturday.

SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS

• Eleven letterwinners return for La Salle in 2018, including nine players with starting experience. Senior Jensen Sharrits is a three-time captain and ranks as one of the top liberos in program history while juniors Devin Corah and Kathryn Wood were Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team selections two seasons ago.
• La Salle looks to build upon last year's campaign that saw the team set a new program mark for best single-season A-10 winning percentage.
• The Explorers return six of their top seven attackers, including Corah and sophomore Samantha Graver, who was a two-time Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week last year before suffering a season-ending injury.

ABOUT MORGAN STATE

• The Bears went 8-18 last year and 7-5 in the MEAC, falling to Florida A&M in the quarterfinals of the league tournament.
• Ramona Riley-Bozier is in her 31st year as head volleyball coach at her alma mater.
• Morgan State was picked to finish third in the MEAC in 2018, behind UMES and Howard.

ABOUT VILLANOVA

• The Wildcats put together an 18-12 season last year, going 11-8 in BIG EAST play.
• Included in that win total was a 3-0 victory over No. 13 Creighton, as well as wins over Georgia Tech, Hofstra and Virginia.
• Villanova was picked fourth in the preseason BIG EAST Poll, while senior middle blocker Amanda Pedersen-Henry was a preseason all-conference selection.

ABOUT DELAWARE

• The Blue Hens suffered through a 5-21 season a year ago, but did defeat A-10 foe George Washington, 3-0, in an exhibition match prior to the start of this regular season.
• Maria Bellinger was a Preseason All-CAA Honorable Mention selection after leading the team with 360 kills in 2017.
• Delaware was picked to finish eighth in the CAA by the league's coaches.