LAKEWOOD, NJ (Sept. 16, 2025) - Georgian Court Volleyball's defense of their 2024 CACC Championship begins in earnest this week as they start up conference play against Wilmington. 

Opponents
Wilmington Wildcats (1-5, 0-0 CACC)

Where
Lakewood, NJ - GCU Wellness Center

When
Wednesday, Sept. 17 - 6 pm 

How to Watch
• Wednesday's game is available to watch on a free-to-view broadcast on the CACC Digital Network. Live stats are also available with a link on the Lions schedule page. 

Ticketing
• Tickets for all Georgian Court home game can be found at the link above, or purchased in person prior to the game.
• $10 adults
• $5 seniors/students

Previously vs. Wilmington
• With their 2-0 record against Wilmington last year, Georgian Court pulled ahead to 25-23 all-time against the Wildcats.
• They've been excellent at home as well with a 15-9 mark in Lakewood.
• The last time Georgian Court lost to Wilmington at home was back in 2021. That's been their only home loss to the Wildcats in 10 years.
• GCU won at home last year 3-0 and on the road 3-1. In their last match, the Lions hit .333.

Last Time Out
• Georgian Court played Lincoln and Pace in the GCU tri-match.
• The Lions got a 3-0 win over Lincoln, but fell later that afternoon 3-0 to the Setters.
• GCU hit .302 against Lincoln. Ava Churnesky had a 15-kill, 10-dig double-double. 

Individual Milestones
• Emma Gildea needs three points for 200 in her career. 
• Carmen Rivera needs 37 digs to get to 800. 
• Genesis Simanca is one dig away from 50. 

CACC Stat Leaders (as per NCAA statistics)
• Iciar Zayas is third in the league averaging 9.28 assists per set. Her 124 total assists rank third as well.
• Carmen Rivera's 4.94 digs per set ranks third.
• Ava Churnesky is second in the CACC scoring 4.08 kills per set and third at 4.31 points per set.
• Genesis Simanca is fifth in both kills per set at 3.29 and points per set at 3.74.
• As a team the Lions are third in the CACC assists per set and kills per set. 
• Georgian Court is also fifth in the CACC with 2.17 aces per set.

Home Sweet Home
• Last season, Georgian Court was 14-2 on their home court.
• The Lions have been outstanding at home playing under Coach Rayside. In her two seasons, the Lions are 25-6 playing in Lakewood.

Weekly Awards
• Iciar Zayas was named the CACC Setter of the Week this week. She averaged 11.2 assists per set with seven service aces.
• It was Zayas' second career weekly award.
• Also earning a weekly award was Ava Churnesky who was named the league's Rookie of the Week.
• Churnesky averaged 4.50 kills per set while also picking up 2.63 digs per set. 

About Wilmington
• After dropping their first five games, Wilmington got in the win column in their last match, a 3-0 win at St. Michael's.
• The Wildcats have lost four games 3-0, which includes a loss to No. 1 ranked Lynn.
• The lone common opponent with the Lions has been Queens. GCU disposed of Queens 3-0 while the Wildcats fell 3-2.
• Despite the record, Wilmington does two things very well: serve and block. Not only are they on the positive side of aces to errors, they're 24th in the NCAA in aces per set with 2.45.
• On the defensive side, the Wildcats' 2.0 blocks per set lead the CACC.
• Karla Nunez-Rivera leads the team with 12 aces. She also has a team-best 55 kills.
• Chelsea Blaine-Agett has a team-best 22 blocks with 25 kills.
• Wilmington is however towards the bottom of the CACC hitting .107 and opponent hitting percentage which is at .234.