Women's Volleyball | March 4, 2021
PHILADELPHIA – Volleyball starts its home defense this weekend when it hosts George Mason on Friday, March 5th, and Rhode Island on Sunday, March 7th -- the latter of which is Senior Day. The Explorers are coming off consecutive wins at George Washington to begin its season 2-0 for the first time since 2016.
A highlight of the opening stanza of the campaign was freshman libero
Isa Lopez and her defensive displays. The rookie was tabbed as A-10 Defensive Player of the Week with a league-leading 6.5 digs per set, good for second in the nation.
ABOUT THE EXPLORERS
- Lopez isn't the only Explorer in national statistic contention. Junior Elizabeth Osborn is off to a flying start and her 5.25 kills per set is third in the nation. She is also third in the NCAA in attacks per set with 13.12.
- Senior Samantha Graver notched a double double in her first game and has been deadly on the serve. Her 0.75 aces per set leads the conference and ranks fifth in the country.
- In fact, the Blue & Gold currently owns the top four spots in aces per set. Graver is followed by redshirt sophomore Sarah Nahas, Osborn, and sophomore Sydney Stone.
- Nahas has had an impressive start in her first sustained look at collegiate action. Her 11.50 assists per set tops the A-10 and ranks 10th in the NCAA.
- As a team, the Explorers lead the league in aces per set. They are second in assists per set, kills per set, digs per set, and opponent hitting percentage and ffifth in hitting percentage.
SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS
- George Mason has started its season 3-6, but hold a 3-1 mark in conference play. Its wins come against George Washington and once against Rhode Island.
- The Patriots have a capable floor general in junior setter Erin Derick who ranks second in the A-10 in assists (290).
- Junior libero Marlanna Bozicevich keeps plays alive for George Mason; her total digs, 119, rank fifth in the conference.
- As a team, George Mason is third in the A-10 in digs and attacks.
- Game time: Friday, 4:30 p.m.
SCOUTING THE RAMS
- Rhode Island is 3-5 this season with a 2-1 mark in the Atlantic 10. It defeated George Washington and split its games with George Mason.
- Mariah Paulette has been effective when she's attacked, leading the conference in hitting percentage at .380. Samantha Blahut is fifth with a .333 hitting percentage.
- The Rams' setter, Annie Ell currently ranks third in assists (287), while their libero, Ella Ratzloff, sits in fourth with 123 digs.
- Rhode Island currently is third in the league in both kills (389) and hitting percentage (.223).
- Game time: Sunday, 1 p.m.
