LAKEWOOD, NJ (Sept. 28, 2023) - Georgian Court Volleyball finishes up their homestand with a pair of matches, one in conference and one out of conference this weekend.
Opponents
Southern Connecticut State Owls (9-7, 0-1 NE10)
Bridgeport Purple Knights (11-3, 4-0 CACC)
Where
Lakewood, NJ - GCU Wellness Center
When
Friday, Sept. 29 - 5 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 30 - 12 p.m.
How to Watch
• This weekend's matches are available to watch via a free to view broadcast on the GCU portal of the CACC Network powered by HUDL. Links for videos and live stats can be found above and on the Lions Volleyball schedule page.
Previously vs. Southern Connecticut State
• All-time SCSU is 8-4 against the Lions.
• These two squared off on the road last season, their first meeting since 2017.
• Southern Connecticut has won three straight against the Lions.
• Last year, SCSU swept GCU 29-27, 25-18, 25-17.
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Nylene Mateo had 11 kills and three service aces.
Previously vs. Bridgeport
• CACC added Bridgeport last year. This is the second season they are a part of the conference.
• In last year's match, UB defeated the Lions in four sets, 14-25, 25-17, 21-25, 13-25.
• The Lions haven't defeated the Purple Knights since 2008 and are 2-6 all-time.
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Nylene Mateo led the offense again with 18 kills hitting .441. She also landed five service aces.
Last Time Out
• Georgian Court lost a tough match to Holy Family three sets to one last night.
• It was the Lions first home loss of the season.
• The Tigers landed 17 service aces, the most GCU has allowed in more than a decade.
• GCU out-hit the Tigers .188-.140, but landed six fewer kills, 49-43.
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Nylene Mateo scored 22.5 points with 18 kills, two service aces and four blocks.
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Iciar Zayas gave out 38 assists.
Who's Hot?
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Giorgia Cappelletti has hit .250 or better in five of her last seven matches and has double-figure digs in five of those matches as well.
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Iciar Zayas is averaging 9.96 assists per set in her last six matches.
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Jessica Sprankle was named the CACC Defensive Player of the Week average 4.73 digs per set in 11 sets last week. With her 12 against Holy Family, she has 10+ digs in six straight matches.
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Nylene Mateo's 18 kills against Holy Family were a season-high.
CACC Leaders
• With 27 service aces,
Giorgia Cappelletti is second the league. She's also fourth in points per set with 3.65 and seventh hitting .254.
• At 9.21 assists per set,
Iciar Zayas is second in league and one of just two to be averaging more than nine assists per set.
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Nylene Mateo is third in the CACC in kills per set and points per set.
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Chelsea Ross ranks fourth with 0.83 blocks per set.
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Jessica Sprankle is up to eighth in the CACC with 3.44 digs per set.
• Georgian Court is third in the league this season thus far hitting .194.
• The Lions are also second in the CACC with 2.10 service aces per set.
• GCU is third with 11.31 kills and 10.90 assists per set.
Individual Milestones
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Jessica Sprankle will hit the all-time GCU top-10 in digs with 16 more. Three more service aces will also move her to ninth place.
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Iciar Zayas can move to sixth all-time in assists with 34 more.
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Alexa Houston is three points away from 100.
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Martina Croce needs three kills to get to 100.
About Southern Connecticut State
• The Owls are 9-7 this year entering their match with Felician Thursday night before coming to Lakewood.
• SCSU has only played one conference game, a loss at New Haven.
• SCSU sits third in the NE10 in service aces with 2.42 per set.
• The Owls are hitting .188 as a team this year and opponents are at .164.
• Sara Enright is 10th in the country with 31 service aces. She's also second in the NE10 with 152 total kills.
About Bridgeport
• Bridgeport is off to a tremendous start to 2023 with an 11-3 record and are unbeaten in the CACC at 4-0.
• The Purple Knights were picked to win the CACC North Division with nine first-place votes.
• Bridgeport leads the conference in attack percentage, aces per set, and kills per set.
• Jaden Drollinger's 10.04 assists per set lead the CACC. She's also third with 0.60 aces per set.
• Lucia Tomiello is hitting .380 on the year, tops in the CACC.
• Hailey Jessen leads the offense with 4.0 kills and 4.50 points per set, both second in the league.
