STORRS, Conn.- Following a 3-0 opening weekend in Storrs, the UConn Volleyball team hits the road, traveling to Hamilton, N.Y. to play in the Ellis Rowland Memorial Tournament hosted by Colgate University. The Huskies will play the host Raiders on Friday night, Stony Brook on Saturday, and Buffalo on Sunday.
UConn was led last weekend by three all-tournament players, who all contributed to the Huskies' 3-0 start to the season. Veterans Emma Werkmeister, who won tournament MVP with 45 kills, and Doga Kutlu had 36 digs and 118 set assists both made the all-tournament team. In her first weekend at UConn, McKenna Brand also made the all-tournament team with 35 digs.
Colgate (9/6, 7pm)
Colgate returns home to host the Ellis Rowland Memorial Tournament after facing high-level competition early in the season. The Raiders played in the Duke invitational, where they fell to Duke (2-3), South Carolina (0-3) and #13 Kansas (0-3). Colgate has won Patriot League Championship the last three seasons, after going 22-8, and 13-3 in conference last season. In the NCAA Tournament, the Raiders fell to BIG EAST champion Creighton last season.
Colgate is led by preseason player of the year Abby Shadwick, a Senior Outside Hitter. Shadwick had 24 kills and 24 digs in the Duke Invitational Tournament to open the season. Shadwick is coming off a strong season last year when she had 209 kills and 201 digs last season. Gillian Hauschild also returns for Colgate after making the all-Patriot League Team, leading the team with 269 kills last season.
The Raiders are coached by Ryan Baker. Baker has been with Colgate since 2006, being named the Patriot League Coach of the Year 4 times in his career, compiling a 303-206 record all-time. Historically, UConn and Colgate have met twice, with the Huskies winning the most recent matchup in 2016.
Stony Brook (9/7, 2pm)
Like UConn, Stony Brook enters this weekend undefeated. The Seawolves played in the JMU Invitational, winning all three matches in five sets, defeating future UConn opponent Delaware State, Presbyterian, and host James Madison. Stony Brook went 17-14 last season, falling to Towson in the CAA Semifinals.
The Seawolves are spearheaded by 2023 CAA Setter of the Year Torri Henry, who contributed 139 set assists, 62 digs in the first three matches. Henry had 1,188 set assists and 307 digs last season for Stony Brook. Outside Hitter Leoni Kunz also returns after making the CAA Second Team, with 44 kills last weekend, and 320 last season
Stony Brook is coached by Kristin Belzung. Belzung is going into her 8th season coaching Stony Brook, after winning American East Championships in 2017 and 2018 before the Seawolves moved to the CAA. Last season, Belzung's squad finished strong, winning 6 in a row and won their first-ever CAA Tournament Game. This will be UConn and Stony Brook's first ever matchup.
Buffalo (9/8, 11am)
UConn will wrap up the tournament against the Bulls, who come in 3-1 after hosting Buffalo Invite. Buffalo defeated Oakland, Hampton, and Army last weekend. The Bulls come in battle-tested already this year, losing to No. 3 Pitt on the road on Tuesday night. Last season, Buffalo had their best season in the program's Division I history, posting a 23-9, 13-5 record.
The Bulls are anchored by Katrin Trebichavska, who was one of three Buffalo All-MAC Preseason Team selections. Trebichavaska won All-Tournament MVP in the Buffalo Invite, leading the team with 57 kills in the three wins, building off last season's 403 kills, 62 service aces performance. Abby and Mandy Leigh were both named to the All-MAC preseason team. Abby had 270 kills, 40 aces, 108 blocks last season, while sister Mandy had 1,237 set assists and 303 digs.
The coach of Buffalo is Scott Smith, in his sixth season at the helm for the Bulls. Smith led the Bulls to their most successful season in almost thirty years, earning their second postseason berth participating in the NIVC. UConn and Buffalo have played twice all-time, with the Bulls winning the last matchup in 2021.
How to Watch
The match against Colgate will be on ESPN+, using the link patriotleague.tv. The matches against Stony Brook and Buffalo can be accessed on YouTube for free with the links below. A link to live statistics will be on the UConn Athletics official website and will be listed below.
Stony Brook: https://www.youtube.com/live/BY5EEg1NNnA
Buffalo: https://www.youtube.com/live/GpPD7GYzn8Q
Live Stats: https://colgateathletics.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
Players Mentioned
- S
- 5' 10"
- Junior
- OH
- 5' 11"
- Sophomore
- DS/L
- Freshman
Players Mentioned
- 5' 10"
- Junior
- S
- 5' 11"
- Sophomore
- OH
- Freshman
- DS/L
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