Last Week: The Albertus Magnus College women's volleyball began the 2016 season by posting a 2-1 record at the Blazer Invitational hosted by Elms. Albertus Magnus took its first games of the fall in three sets before dropping a five-set thriller against SUNY Cobleskill. Offensively, Ana Gomez led the charge for the Falcons with 28 kills, while freshman libero Nashalie Bayona recorded 43 digs over the three contests. Senior outside hitter Amber Cohens chipped in 23 kills and freshman Tatiana Hernandez had 12 kills, 15 aces and 40 digs.
This Week: The Falcons have a quartet of matches sandwiching road games versus New Jersey City and Bryn Mawr around the home opener against in-state rival Mitchell on Thursday. The clash with Owls over the weekend is part of the Smith College Invitational in the Bay State.
Match-up:
Albertus Magnus (2-1) at New Jersey City (2-1)
Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 6:30 PM
Jersey City, N.J.
John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center
Live Stats: Click here (All links will become active at the start of the contest)
Live Video: Click here
Series History: Tuesday evening's contest will be the first-ever between the Gothic Knights and the Falcons. Both squads opened the year with two straight wins before dropping five-set thrillers their last time out.
Match-up:
Albertus Magnus vs. Mitchell (1-1)
Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 6:00 pm
New Haven, Conn.
The Nest inside the Cosgrove Marcus Messer Athletic Center
Live Stats: Click here
Live Stats: Click here
Last Year Versus the Mariners: Mitchell swept the season series with the Falcons, winning both meetings, 3-0, during the 2015 slate. Cohens and Gomez had strong showing against the Mariners last fall, teaming for 16 kills in the two matches.
Match-up:
Albertus Magnus vs. Bryn Mawr (0-3)
Saturday, September 9, 2016 at 1:00 pm
North Hampton, Mass.
Ainsworth Gym
Series History: Saturday's contest will be the first-ever between the Falcons and the Owls. Bryn Mawr enters the week riding a three-game losing streak.
Match-up:
Albertus Magnus at Smith (0-3)
Saturday, September 9, 2016 at 3:00 pm
North Hampton, Mass.
Ainsworth Gym
Live Stats and Video: Click here
Series History: Saturday's contest will be the first-ever between the Falcons and the Pioneers. Smith enters the week riding a three-match losing streak after dropping all three tilts at the Brandeis Invitational. The Pioneers also welcome in Suffolk and Bryn Mawr before hosting Albertus Magnus.
NOTES:
- Last week, Marielis Muriel and Jesselle Guzman were named to the 2016 Blazer Invitational All-Tournament Team. Muriel racked up 73 assists in three games, including a career-best 27 last time out. She also added six service aces and 27 digs. In her first collegiate action, Guzman showed a balanced all-around game. The first-year produced 11 kills, seven service aces and 32 digs.
- Gomez averaged 2.55 kills per set with a .187 attack percentage last week. In the opener against the Blazers, Gomez had a match-best 10 kills (3.33 kills per set) to go along with a .474 attack percentage, two digs and two blocks. She ended the week by averaging 2.60 kills per set (13 total) in a five-set thriller against SUNY Cobleskill. Also against the Fighting Dragons, Gomez had seven digs, three blocks and accounted for 15 total points.
- Bayona registered 43 total digs over the opening weekend of play. She had double digit dig totals in three contests and averaged 3.91 digs per set. In the first two games of the autumn, she averaged 3.33 digs per set (10 total) in a pair of shutout wins. In a five-set thriller against SUNY Cobleskill, Bayona averaged 4.60 digs per set (23 total).
- The team has four returners and five newcomers this season.
- Seven of the team's first eight games will take place outside of New Haven. Last year, the squad picked up four wins away from home.
