NORFOLK, Va. - Kent State, UNC Greensboro, Providence and Navy invade Joseph Echols Hall Friday and Saturday for the very first Spartan Classic hosted by Norfolk State. The tournament will serve as the season opener for all five squads and will also mark the first volleyball tournament ever hosted by NSU.
Admission is free to the public. Action gets underway Friday at 11 a.m. as Providence and Kent State square off. Norfolk State will make its 2010 debut at 3 p.m. against Providence before playing Navy at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Kent State and Navy will kick off the day at 10 a.m., while the Spartans will host UNC Greensboro at noon and then Kent State at 4 p.m.
Follow all the match right here with Live Stats.
The Complete Schedule
Friday, Aug. 27
11 a.m. - Providence vs. Kent State
1 p.m. - UNCG vs. Navy
3 p.m. - NSU vs. Providence
5 p.m. - UNCG vs. Kent State
7 p.m. - NSU vs. Navy
Saturday, Aug. 28
10 a.m. - Kent State vs. Navy
Noon - NSU vs. UNCG
2 p.m. - Navy vs. Providence
4 p.m. - NSU vs. Kent State
6 p.m. - Providence vs. UNCG
Scouting the Spartans
Norfolk State enters the 2010 season with six new faces, after losing five players from the 2009 team, and a new man in charge in interim head coach Brandon Duvall. The roster includes one senior and two juniors and just two players who have at least two full years with the program.
Back is junior setter Nicole Kessner, an All-MEAC Second-Team performer in 2009 and the team's MVP. She is joined by senior libero Tracey Copley, who finished third on the team in 2009 in digs after also playing at the outside hitter position, and redshirt sophomore Paige Gary-Canty, who has missed nearly all of the last two seasons to injury.
Sophomore outside hitters Chynna Blaker and Ellica Morris and middle blocker Charlotte Armstead return their talents for 2010. Armstead led the Spartans in blocks in 2009, while Blaker and Morris combined to average close to 2.5 kills per set.
Sophomore setter Kristen Burt and sophomore libero Maatra Henderson will be counted on for more in 2010 after improving over the offseason, while junior Jasmine Frazier, a Winston-Salem State transfer, will team with Armstead for a formidable middle-blocking duo.
Freshmen outside hitters Arielle Knaefel, Tiana Patterson and Mykal Vailu'u, middle blocker Kylee Thim and libero Noelle Eagles all have shown flashes of brilliance in the preseason and could make significant contributions early on.
About Kent State
The Flashes finished 14-17 in 2009, including 7-9 in the MAC, but return six of the eight players who made at least six starts in 2009. Junior Liva Brivule finished second on the team with 3.02 kills per set and was tops with 1.09 blocks, while sophomore Zuzana Markova takes over at setter after finishing second on the team in 2009 with 5.03 assists. Senior Kristen Barr posted 3.68 digs to lead the Flashes.
About Providence
The Friars finished 10-16 in 2009 and return eight of their top 10 players from a year ago. Junior Lauren Fletcher ranked first on the team with 2.93 kills and 0.91 blocks per set, while sophomore Cassie Muzzonigro was the top defender with 3.54 digs. Junior Carly Morrison sets the tone for the offense after averaging 7.52 assists
About UNC Greensboro
The Spartans went 17-14 overall in 2009 and 9-7 in the Southern Conference but must make up for the loss of four key contributors. Senior Caley Redden is back after leading the offensive punch with 2.64 kills per set, as is senior Kayren Finney, whose 0.87 blocks were tops on the team in 2009. The backcourt defense lost its two best players, as Redden ranked third in 2.95 digs per set. Sophomore Ari Lysacek owned an average of 9.53 assists during her rookie campaign.
About Navy
The Midshipmen struggled in 2009, finishing 8-21 overall and 3-11 in the Patriot League, then lost four of the top seven starters from that team. The team lost three of the top four players on offense, but back is sophomore Carolyn Ewert, who led the way with 2.69 kills per set. Junior Holly Berger (2.74 digs) and senior Jenny Rudewicz (8.46 assists) led Navy in their respective categories, with junior Maida Kalic' ranking second with 0.57 blocks.
Spartans Picked to Finish Fourth
Norfolk State was picked to finish fourth in the MEAC Southern Division in the preseason poll. The Spartans finished fourth in 2009 after posting a 3-5 conference slate.
Up Next
The Spartans head over to Hampton Tuesday night for a match against the Pirates at 6 p.m. before competing in the Radford Invitational next weekend.
