CU Volleyball Preview - vs. Bard/Vassar (10/20-21)

Only two weekends remain in the regular season for the Clarkson University Volleyball team, but the matches this weekend will be key going forward as the Golden Knights close out the Liberty League conference matches against Bard and Vassar at Alumni Gymnasium.

In addition to celebrating Senior Day for both Rachael Aird and Francesca Barajas on Saturday, the Golden Knights will be raising money for the Side-Out Foundation and it's Dig Pink initiative, which collects funds for breast cancer research and awareness.

LIVE STATS/LIVE VIDEO

The Series vs. Bard: The Golden Knights have dominated against Bard since the Raptors joined the Liberty League in 2011, winning all 13 match ups all-time and the 12 league meetings over the past six years. Bard has made it to 20 points or more only once in all 36 sets against Clarkson.

The Series vs. Vassar: Though Clarkson leads 19-13 overall in the rivalry, Vassar won two of the three meetings in 2016. The Golden Knights won the most important of the three matches last year, however, claiming a four-set win in the Liberty League Championship last November.

Key Stats for Clarkson: Usually an offensive-minded team, the Golden Knights defense stands out in 2017. Clarkson leads the league in digs per set (19.35 dps) and sophomore Kate Isaksen is third in the country in that category (6.57 dps). Though others are ahead of Rachael Aird and Rachel Reusch in blocks per set, the two players rank as the top solo block artists in the conference, with Aird denying 21 on her own and Reusch stopping 20 attacks by herself.

Key Stats for Bard: The Raptors are improved, but the team still ranks just 403rd out of 430 teams nationally in hitting percentage (.037). Thanks to some longer rallies, Emily Anastasi is second in the Liberty League in digs per set (5.51), an addition of more than two digs per set compared to last season. Philippine Alba leads the team on offense with 2.42 kills per set.

Key Stats for Vassar: The Brewers haven't played the same kind of schedule as their chief rivals for the conference title like Ithaca and Clarkson, but Vassar has nevertheless posted some impressive offensive numbers. The Brewers rank 28th in hitting percentage with a .235 success rate, with Devan Gallagher contributing 4.86 kills per set (fourth nationally) with a .306 hitting percentage. Jane McLeod trails only Gallagher in kills per set in the Liberty League, averaging 3.52 per set. Annie MacMillan runs the Vassar offense to the tune of 10.80 assists per set, which ranks ninth nationally.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Rachael Aird: MH; 6' 0"; Senior

#9 Francesca Barajas: DS; 5' 7"; Senior

#17 Kate Isaksen: L; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#12 Rachel Reusch: MH; 6' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#10 Rachael Aird
: 6' 0"; Senior
: MH

#9 Francesca Barajas
: 5' 7"; Senior
: DS

#17 Kate Isaksen
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: L

#12 Rachel Reusch
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: MH