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Clarkson University Athletics

CU Volleyball Preview - vs. Rochester/Williams (9/23-24)

By: September 22, 2016
IsaksenKate1391
Kate Isaksen is averaging 5.92 digs per set through 13 matches this year. - Photo by David Cheval

Women's Volleyball | 9/22/2016 11:30:00 AM

For the second time in three weeks, the Clarkson University Volleyball team will challenge itself in a home tournament when they face the University of Rochester and Williams College in what amounts to a tri-match this weekend at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights will take on Rochester at 7:00 pm on Friday evening. Rochester and Williams will then face off at 2:00 pm on Saturday, with Williams sticking around to play Clarkson at 5:30 pm on Saturday evening.

Clarkson enters the match with a record of 9-4 overall, winners of six of their last seven games. The Knights are just 2-5 all-time against Rochester, but won the last meeting in 2013. Until earlier this September, Rochester was actually the last New York Region team that the Golden Knights had lost against, dropping a five-set decision in October 2012. The Knights are 2-2 all-time against Williams, winning a 2014 match in five sets, though Clarkson was without its starting setter in that match.

The Knights are led on offense by Rachael Aird. The junior provides a lot of different options for Clarkson, running attacks on the outside and in the middle to average 3.63 kills per set with a .265 hitting percentage. She also ranks second on the team in blocks per game (0.57), trailing only freshman Rachel Reusch. The 6-2 middle hitter has 15 solo blocks and 19 block assists this year for an average of 0.69 blocks per set to go along with a 2.08 kills per set rate and a Liberty League-leading .355 hitting percentage. Senior Katrina Lane has also provided a spark on the rightside with 1.87 kills and 2.23 digs per set. Defensively, Kate Isaksen is among the conference leaders in digs (5.92 per set) and is third on the team with 15 aces, trailing Kendall Cheval (20 aces, 3.18 digs per set) and Jillian Saenz (17 aces, 9.16 assists per set).

Rochester (9-4) runs a diverse offense with no player averaging more than three kills per set, but several contributing well over the mark of two per set. Shira Katz leads the way with 2.68 kills per set and she is closely followed by Alara Kocak at 2.55 kills per set. Clara Martinez has a team-best .354 hitting percentage and 2.38 kills per set. Aimee Kohler is in charge of distribution on offense with 7.70 assists per set and she also ranks second on the team with 18 aces. Courtney Vidovich averages 0.73 aces per set (30 total). Alexandra Goldman provides a formidable block with 1.05 per set (12 solo, 27 assists) and Meghan Connor contributes 5.12 digs per set.

Williams (4-4) was ousted in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year, but returning for the Ephs is standout Tori Jasuta, who leads the team in both kills (2.45 per set) and digs (3.68 per set). Nica Kovalcik (1.73 kills per set) and Ally Ostrow (1.68 kills per set) also have solid offensive numbers, with Ostrow also tossing in 3.10 digs per set. Freshman Alex Newton is charged with setting duties and is averaging 5.69 per set, while Roxi Corbeil also has 2.34 assists per set. Catie Benell ranks second on the team with 3.31 digs per set from her libero position and she also has 14 aces through eight matches this year.
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Players Mentioned

Rachael Aird

#10 Rachael Aird

OH/MH/RS
6' 0"
Junior
Kendall Cheval

#11 Kendall Cheval

DS/OH
5' 6"
Sophomore
Katrina Lane

#14 Katrina Lane

RS/OH
5' 10"
Senior
Jillian Saenz

#7 Jillian Saenz

S
5' 6"
Sophomore
Rachel Reusch

#12 Rachel Reusch

MH
6' 2"
Freshman
Kate Isaksen

#17 Kate Isaksen

L/DS
5' 9"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Rachael Aird

#10 Rachael Aird

6' 0"
Junior
OH/MH/RS
Kendall Cheval

#11 Kendall Cheval

5' 6"
Sophomore
DS/OH
Katrina Lane

#14 Katrina Lane

5' 10"
Senior
RS/OH
Jillian Saenz

#7 Jillian Saenz

5' 6"
Sophomore
S
Rachel Reusch

#12 Rachel Reusch

6' 2"
Freshman
MH
Kate Isaksen

#17 Kate Isaksen

5' 9"
Freshman
L/DS