SPORTS

 

DAVIDSON, N.C. — Davidson returns home for the first time since Aug. 28 this weekend when it opens Atlantic 10 play against Duquesne and La Salle inside Belk Arena in volleyball action.

The Wildcats have been off since Sept. 9 when Hurricane Florence canceled a match at Presbyterian and a neutral site match vs. Georgia State also at Presbyterian last weekend (Sept. 14-16).

THE MATCHUP
Davidson (6-4, 0-0 A-10) returns to the court this weekend with a 7 p.m. A-10 match against Duquesne (5-7, 0-0 A-10) Friday evening and then closes out the weekend Sunday with a 1 p.m. match against La Salle (7-6, 0-0 A-10).

GAME PROMOTIONS
Prior to the game, the Davidson women’s basketball team will be hosting a FREE basketball clinic for girls ages third-eighth grade, in John M. Belk Arena. The free clinic runs from 5-6:30 p.m. and kids have a chance to meet and learn from current Wildcat players. Following the basketball clinic, participants can attend and root on the Davidson volleyball team in a match against Duquesne.

There are still a few spots available for the clinic, so to register please click here at davidsonwomensbasketballcamps.com.

In addition for this weekend’s matches, there will be concession stands open for all fans to purchase food and drinks.

THE ALL-TIME SERIES/LAST MEETINGS…
The Wildcats are seeking their first win in the series vs. the Dukes of Duquesne, trailing 8-0 dating back to the first meeting in 2003. Last year saw them drop two matches to the Dukes, with the last meeting going five sets. In that meeting, Davidson ignited early, taking the first two sets before Duquesne rallied for the final three by scores of 25-18, 25-13, 23-25, 20-25, 13-15. Ellie Crosley recorded a career-high 13 kills on a .480 hitting percentage and added seven blocks, and Ciera Cockrell registered a team-best 14 kills.

In the series vs. the Explorers, which is just three years old dating back to 2015, the ‘Cats trail 4-2. A year ago, Davidson dropped pair of hard-fought 3-2 decisions to La Salle. The most recent meeting occurred in Philadelphia, Pa.. A triple double from Mason Rooney and four Wildcats with double-digit kills wasn’t enough for Davidson, falling by the scores of 25-23, 17-25, 25-23, 20-25, 13-15.

Davidson and La Salle have now played five-set matches in their last four head-to-head contests.

Rooney registered 14 kills, dished out 34 assists, and added 11 digs for her fifth triple-double of the year. The 34 helpers were also a career-best.

LAST TIME OUT FOR THE ‘CATS
Davidson competed at the Charleston Invitational, Sept. 8-9, going 2-1 over the weekend. Mason Rooney and Katharine Franz made the all-tournament team, with Rooney earning her third all-tournament nod on the season (Davidson, Appalachian State, Charleston).

The Wildcats had wins of 3-0 vs. UNC Asheville (25-23, 25-20, 25-23) and 3-1 against Charleston Southern (25-17, 25-16, 19-25, 25-18), while falling to host Cougars (25-21, 25-18, 25-12).

DAVIDSON TEAM LEADERS
Kills: 102, Mason Rooney
Hitting Percentage: .450, Ellie Crosley
Digs: 141, Josie Treadwell
Assists: 189, Sydney Champaigne
Blocks: 30, Ellie Crosley
Serve Aces: 11, Mason Rooney

SCOUTING THE DUKES AND EXPLORERS
•Duquesne enters Friday’s match coming off a 3-0 win against Eastern Michigan at the RMU Sheraton Invitational.
•The Dukes are 1-2 on the road this season.
•Pacing the offense is Maddie Bazelak with 105 kills and she is second with 121 digs.
•Dani Suiter has 320 assists, while Camryn Vecera has 232 digs.
•Duquesne went 13-16 a year ago and 8-6 in A-10 matches.
•La Salle lost its final match at the Towson Invitational, falling to Ball State 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-19).
•The Explorers are 1-3 on the road this year.
•La Salle has three players with over 100 kills on the season: Devin Corah (186), Samantha Graver (130) and Elizabeth Osborn (117).
•Kathryn Wood has 531 assists, tops in the A-10 by 100 assists over the second place player.
•Jensen Sharrits has a team-high 266 digs on the year.
•The Explorers are coming off a 14-16 season last year and 4-10 in A-10 matches.

THE SCHEDULE
The ‘Cats continue on with their league matches, traveling to Dayton and Saint Louis next weekend, Sept, 28-30.