LAKEWOOD, NJ (Sept. 5, 2024) - Georgian Court Women's Volleyball takes the court for the first time in 2024 for three games in Florida.

Opponents (2023 Record)
Embry-Riddle Eagles (22-10, 13-7 SSC)
Flagler Saints (8-19, 4-8 PBC)
UNC Pembroke Braves (21-14, 12-5 CC)

Where
Daytona Beach FL - ICI Center

When
Friday-Saturday, Sept. 6-7.
Friday, Sept. 6 at Embry-Riddle - 11 am
Friday, Sept. 6 vs. Flagler - 3 pm
Saturday, September 7 vs. UNC Pembroke - 3 pm

How to Watch
• All three matches are available to watch via a free-to-view broadcast on the Embry-Riddle portal of the SSC Digital Network powered by HUDL. Links for videos and live stats can be found above and on the Lions Soccer schedule page. 

Previously vs. This Weekend's Opponents
• This is the first ever meeting between Georgian Court and all three opponents. 

Last Time Out
• Georgian Court returned to the CACC Tournament in 2023 under first year Head Coach Shana Rayside.
• The Lions though drew the No. 1 seed in the North Division Bridgeport.
• The Purple Knights took down the Lions in four sets before going on to win the CACC Tournament. 

Individual Milestones
• Nylene Mateo needs 13 more kills to get into the GCU all-time top-five and 19 more to move to fourth. 
• Giorgia Cappelletti is two kills away from 300 and one service ace shy of 50.
• Ava Venneri is nearing 200 points with 178 and 200 digs with 190.
• Martina Croce is 8.5 points away from 300.
• Two more sets played will get Amiyah Woods to 250. She also needs 11.5 points to reach 500.
• Iciar Zayas needs 73 assists to reach 1500 in her career. She'd be just the sixth Lion to ever hit that number. 
• Chelsea Ross will move to ninth all-time in blocks with four more. 

Preseason Rankings
• Coming into the season the Lions were picked to finish in third in the CACC South Division behind Jefferson and Wilmington.
• GCU finished fourth in 2023 in the division, earning a spot in the CACC Tournament.
• Jefferson and Bridgeport who met in the CACC Tournament finals last year are each picked to win their respective divisions. 

Veterans Day
• GCU brings back a host of seniors with 10 on the roster, six entering at least their fourth year with the program.
• All-Conference selections Nylene Mateo, Chelsea Ross and Amiyah Woods highlight the group of returning seniors.
• Additionally, Georgian Court returns leading point-scorer Giorgia Cappelletti, leading setter Iciar Zayas and leading defensive specialist Carmen Rivera. 

About Embry-Riddle
• Embry-Riddle had another successful season in 2023 posting a 22-10 record, going 13-7 in the Sunshine State.
• The Sunshine State Conference does not hold a conference tournament, the regular season champion earns the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. That didn't stop the Eagles from getting in though as they earned an at-large bid, but fell in the quarterfinal round.
• In the SSC Preseason Poll, the Eagles were picked to finish in fourth place.
• 19th-year Head Coach Joslynn Gallop has a majority of her 2023 roster back in place for 2024. 
• All-American outside hitters Jaden McBride and Isabella Rujano each return, two of four 100+ kill hitters back this season.
• The team also brings back primary setter Grace Datil and libero Gabriela Pagan. 

About Flagler
• Flagler went 8-19 a year ago and finished 4-8 in the Peach Belt Conference.
• They were picked to finish fourth in the PBC Preseason Poll.
• Returning outside hitter Jordan Berglin was an All-Conference selection a year ago after averaging 2.82 kills per set and 1.84 digs per set with 54 blocks.
• Senior middle Molly Boyd led the Saints in blocks with 124 last season and is back again on the Flagler front line.
• Both setters return as well as Lainee Mack and Amelia Fitzpatrick each tallied more than 350 assists in 2023.
• Service was a problem for Flagler with the Saints committing 240 errors on the serve. 

About UNC Pembroke
• The Braves were a game away from the NCAA Tournament last season going 21-14 overall and 12-5 in the Conference Carolinas.
• They advanced to the Conference Tournament Championship game, but fell to champions Emmanuel 3-1.
• In the preseason coaches poll, UNC Pembroke was picked to finish fourth in the league. 
• The Braves have big shoes to fill in Vanja Przulj who scored 639 points and 566 kills.
• UNCP does bring back 200+ kill hitters Abby Peduzzi, Ruby Countryman and Emma Fraidenburg.
• The Braves also need to replace their leading setter and defensive specialist.