Volleyball Ventures North for Tri-Match at Colby with Salem State

SATURDAY, SEPT. 7 // 11:00 AM  WADSWORTH GYMNASIUM // WATERVILLE, MAINE LIVE STATS
EYES ON THE MATCH SERIES RECORD // SUFFOLK TRAILS, 0-3 LAST MEETING // SEPT. 8, 2018, L, 3-0 LAST SUFFOLK WIN // NEVER STREAK // L3

SATURDAY, SEPT. 7 // 1:00 PM  WADSWORTH GYMNASIUM // WATERVILLE, MAINE
EYES ON THE MATCH SERIES RECORD // SUFFOLK LEADS, 11-4 LAST MEETING // SEPT. 19, 2018, L, 3-1 LAST SUFFOLK WIN // SEPT. 16, 2017, W, 3-1 STREAK // L1

BOSTON – Suffolk volleyball will partake in its first official tri-match of the 2019 campaign this Saturday, Sept. 7 when it heads to Waterville, Maine to take on Colby and Salem State. The Rams will first battle the Mules at 11 a.m. before wrapping up the day against the Vikings.

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LAST TIME OUT
No. 20 Babson was too much for Suffolk volleyball as it fell in straight sets to the nationally ranked Beavers in its finale match of the 2019 Babson Invitational at Staake Gymnasium Saturday afternoon. 

MORE READING:No. 20 Babson Bests Volleyball, 3-0

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk went 1-2 at the 2019 Babson Invitational over opening weekend. The lone victory the Rams secured was a straight set decision over UMaine Presque Isle in their season debut.  

Kayla Barbera has been a force offensively and defensively as the junior supplies a team-best 2.33 kps is second on the squad in dps with 3.00. Freshmen Emerson Martin is a contributor on both sides of h tenet with 2.00 kps and 1.44 dps. Classmate Kenzley Bell is a defensive force with a team-high 4.22 dps to go along with 0.67 aces per set. Harmony Johnson took care of the setting responsibilities, dishing out 7.00 assist per set.   

MULES MENTIONABLES
Colby will get its 2019 season going Saturday morning against the Rams. The Mules are coming off 7-15 overall 2018 campaign.  

Colby's roster is missing crucial ingredients from a year ago including AVCA All-Northeast Honorable Mention selection Paige Hanssen. Elizabeth Middlebrook is the most prominent return as the outside hitter is the returning leader in kills per set (2.03), dps (2.34) and aces per set (0.46). With the departure of their everyday setter, the Mules will call upon Katie Devine (3.66 aps) to set things up this season.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• Suffolk looks for its first-ever win over Colby as it trails the all-time series, which dates back to 2004, 0-3. 
• The Rams were swept by the Mules in the opponents last meeting, Sept. 8, 2018. 
• Two matches (2004/2018) have been decided in sweeps, while one went to four sets (2014). 

EYES ON THE MATCH
 

VIKINGS VIEW
Similar to Colby, Salem State begins its 2019 campaign against the Rams Saturday.  

All-MASCAC selection Morgan Adams is back in the Vikings' lineup as the team's setter. A year ago, she handed out 6.07 apg to an 9.29 kps offense. Darcy McDowell returns as Salem State's leading attacker from last season as she put up 1.89 kps. McDowell provided 1.75 dps to the defensive effort, which returns Emily Hennessy's 2.10 dps as well.  

INSIDE THE SERIES

• The Suffolk, Salem State series began in 2004. 
• The Rams lead the all-time meetings, 11-4. 
• Suffolk fell in last year's tilt, 3-1. 
• Suffolk owns both series sweeps. The Rams blanked the Vikings in 2006 and again in 2011. 
• Overall the Rams and Vikings have gone to four sets 11 times with Suffolk boasting an 8-3 advantage. 
• Only two matches between Suffolk and Salem State went the distance. Each squad has won a five-set thriller. The last time the Rams took a five-set match against Salem was in 2013, while the Vikings' five-set win was the first-ever meeting between the foes in 2004.  

EYES ON THE MATCH

WHAT'S TO COME?
Suffolk heads to the friendly confines of the Larry E. Smith and Michael S. Smith Court where it will entertain Boston Commons neighbor Emerson Tuesday, Sept. 10. First serve on Beacon Hill is scheduled for 7 p.m.