Volleyball Opens Season with DC Challenge

Friday, August 24

Washington, D.C.

7:00 p.m.

George Washington University

Howard

8/23/2018 11:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

GW travels to Howard Friday, hosts American Saturday

Date	Opponent	Live Stats	Social Media
Friday, August 24 7 p.m.	at Howard (Washington, D.C.)	HUBison.com	Facebook \| Twitter \| Instagram
Saturday, August 25 4 p.m.	vs. American (Smith Center)	GWSports.com	Facebook \| Twitter \| Instagram

FOR OPENERS: GW is looking to start 1-0 for the second straight year after opening 2017 with a five-set win over Wofford. It was the first season-opening win for the Colonials since 2014.

ON THE OTHER SIDE: GW is opening up with Howard for the first time ever. The Colonials and Bison have met 26 times with GW posting a 19-7 mark. However, Howard won in three sets last year, the first meeting between the programs since 2011.

The Colonials open their home slate on Saturday against cross-town rival American. GW has dominated the all-time series, 27-8, but saw its three-game winning streak ended in three sets last year.

PRESEASON PROJECTIONS: The A-10 announced the league's preseason poll on Wednesday, slotting the Colonials fifth of 10 teams. GW aims to make the conference tournament, which is hosted by VCU Nov. 16-18, for the second straight year. The Buff & Blue has won at least one game in the A-10 Championship four of the last five years.

LOOK WHO'S BACK: Four starters and eight letterwinners return from last year's team that went 11-21 (6-8) in head coach Sarah Bernson's first year. Senior middle blockers Kelsey Clark and Alexis Lete return to anchor the position and are joined by fellow returning junior starters Jaimeson Lee (setter) and Skylar Iott (outside hitter). Clark and Lete were the top two blockers on last year's team, combining for an average of 1.6 blocks per set. Clark was second on the team in kills (2.23/set) and has surpassed 200 kills in each of the last three seasons.

Lee led GW in assists (6.11/set), double-doubles (11), and aces (0.19/set) a year ago while showcasing her all-around game by ranking third in digs (2.17/set) and fourth in blocks (0.43/set) in 2017. Iott is one of the top returning options outside after registering 1.45 kills/set last year. She'll be supported by sophomore Marianna Warren (1.87 kills/set) and junior Jordan Young, who aims to bounce back after an injury-plagued season.

YOUTHFUL INFLUENCE: GW welcomes six first-year players to the still young squad. Nine of the 14 members of the team are in their first or second year with the program. All six newcomers (Bella Bowman, Daria De Carvalho Peixe, Paz Dozie-Nnamah, Noelle Dwyer, Heather Merryman, and Melody Williams) are anticipated to see extensive playing time this year.