News Summary
The Providence College volleyball team is set for an important weekend facing Butler and Xavier. With a record of 10-7, the Friars aim to improve their BIG EAST standing following mixed results in recent matches. Key players like Sophia Adkins and Hadley Pride will be crucial in their upcoming competitions. Butler and Xavier, both with varying records, pose significant challenges as they all strive for victory in this competitive season.
Providence, Rhode Island — The Providence College volleyball team is poised for a crucial weekend as they prepare to take on Butler on Friday, October 10, at 7:00 p.m. in Indianapolis, Indiana, followed by a match against Xavier on Saturday, October 11, at 3:30 p.m. in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Friars enter this weekend with a record of 10 wins and 7 losses and a 1-3 record within the BIG EAST conference.
In their most recent outings, the Friars experienced mixed results, losing to St. John’s in a hard-fought match that ended 3-1, but celebrating a narrow victory against Seton Hall, winning 3-2. As they head into this weekend’s matches, the performance of key players will be critical in striving for victory against their opponents.
This season, the Friars have averaged 2.34 assists per set, which places them eighth in NCAA Division I. Leading the team is sophomore Sophia Adkins, a Cincinnati native, with 241 kills, ranking her fourth in the BIG EAST with an average of 3.89 kills per set. Similarly, Junior Lyric Berry from Wylie, Texas has established herself as a formidable force at the net, currently leading the BIG EAST and positioned 27th in NCAA Division I with an impressive average of 1.42 blocks per set, amounting to 88 blocks this season, including 18 solo blocks and 70 block assists.
Additionally, redshirt senior Hadley Pride from Nashville, Tennessee, has been exceptional in defense, averaging 5.53 digs per set, leading the BIG EAST and ranking second in NCAA Division I with a total of 343 digs over 17 matches. Furthermore, sophomore Audrey Kocon contributes significantly to the team’s offense, ranking second in the BIG EAST for aces per set at 0.55 and marking 117 kills, 236 assists, 30 aces, 133 digs, and 42 blocks overall this season.
Butler, on the other hand, comes into the weekend with a record of 7 wins and 10 losses, having struggled in the BIG EAST with a 0-4 standing. Their recent matches ended in disappointment, losing to Villanova (3-0) and Georgetown (3-1). The Bulldogs look to turn their season around against the Friars, with sophomore Alaleh Tolliver leading the team with 242 kills, ranking third in the BIG EAST for kills per set at an average of 2.97. Junior Kaylee Finnegan is also a standout player for Butler, having recorded 581 assists, ranking third in the BIG EAST with an average of 9.85 assists per set. Additionally, sophomore Lauren Evans provides defensive strength, averaging 4.38 digs per set, ranking third in the conference with a total of 261 digs.
Xavier, in contrast, has seen success this season with a 14-2 record and a 3-1 standing in the BIG EAST. Their latest matches were victories against Georgetown (3-2) and Villanova (3-2). The Musketeers are led offensively by redshirt senior Emma Grace, who has recorded 210 kills, ranking eighth in the BIG EAST with an average of 3.56 kills per set. Freshman McKinley Boehm has also made an impact, earning the title of BIG EAST Freshman of the Week with 96 kills and a .337 hitting percentage, placing her seventh in the BIG EAST rankings. Defensively, redshirt sophomore Margo Kemp leads the team with 69 blocks and averages 1.13 blocks per set, ranking third in the BIG EAST, along with 123 kills and a .320 hitting percentage.
Following this weekend’s matches, the Friars will return home to face Villanova on Friday, October 17, at 5:00 p.m. and Georgetown on Saturday, October 18, at 4:00 p.m., in what promises to be an exciting continuation of their season.
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Additional Resources
- Friars Volleyball Prepares for Butler and Xavier
- Wikipedia: Women’s Volleyball
- Friars Volleyball Defeats Seton Hall
- Google Search: Providence College Volleyball
- Friars Volleyball Defeats University of New Haven
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Volleyball
- Friars Volleyball Falls to St. John’s
- Google News: Providence Volleyball
- Friars Volleyball Sweeps Holy Cross
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