NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College women's volleyball program plays its first of consecutive tournaments in the coming weekends when the Warriors spend Saturday and Sunday in Easton, Mass. at the Skyhawk Invitational. The Warriors will play three matches at Merkert Gymnasium beginning on Saturday against Georgian Court at 3:30 p.m. Merrimack will then face Felician at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday followed by a tilt against the host Skyhawks of Stonehill College at 5:30 p.m.
Last Time Out:
- The Warriors earned one win last weekend in a tri-match hosted by East Stroudsburg University, topping the University of the Sciences in three sets
- Junior Catherine Flaherty emerged from the weekend as the team's leading attacker, totaling 15 kills over the two matches. She posted an average of 2.50 kills per frame, while hitting at a .138 clip
- Three Warriors emerged from the weekend hitting at least .250 or better. Freshman Sophie Meyers led the group (.389) while senior Sofia Basauri (.292) and freshman Brooke Leestma hit .292 and .259, respectively
- Junior Rosie Sperduto distributed a team-best 41 assists over the weekend, and recorded the program's first double-double of 2018 with 25 helpers and 10 digs in the win over the Devils
- In the digs department seniors Amanda Cain and Katelynn Marr tied for the team high with 17 apiece, with the latter posting a team-best 15 over U. Sciences
Mack Facts:
- Meyers will enter this weekend ranking third in the NE10 in hitting percentage. The North Andover, Mass. native also is one of eight players in the league to average at least one block per frame, as well
- Defensively, Merrimack ranks among the top eight in the NE10 in digs per set (14.33). The Warriors had five players average at least two per frame last week
- Twelve aces hit the court over the two matches, including three apiece for Sperduto and Marr
Inside the Series:
- Since 2008-09, the Warriors and Georgian Court have met three times. Most recently, the clubs met in the 2014-15 season with Merrimack claiming a straight-sets win. The prior to tilts came in 2008, including a match in the NCAA Tournament.
- Sunday will be the first-ever matchup between Merrimack and Felician
- Normally a NE10 rival, Merrimack and Stonehill will reunite for their conference match on Saturday, Sept. 15. The programs have split each of the last six meetings, with Stonehill prevailing last year in three sets
Meet the Opposition:
Up Next:
The Warriors' final non-conference tournament of the year commences next Friday when Merrimack plays its first of four matches at the Wildcat Invite. Merrimack matches up with the host Wilmington Wildcats followed by contests against Holy Family, Chestnut Hill and Jefferson.
