George Washington University Athletics

Volleyball Starts Campaign with DC Challenge at Smith Center
8/29/2019 3:18:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Colonials welcome American, Hartford and Howard
WASHINGTON - GW volleyball opens its season with a trio of home games this weekend at the Smith Center, hosting American, Hartford and Howard in the DC Challenge. The Colonials open up play against AU on Friday at noon before squaring off with Hartford at 7 p.m. and Howard on Saturday at 2 p.m.
TOURNAMENT TIME: Three other neutral site games will take place prior to each of GW's games so start times may be slightly altered. The full schedule along with live stats and live video (GW games only) links are available at the tournament central page here.
ACROSS THE NET: American visits Smith Center for the second straight year in the 37th all-time meeting between the program. GW has posted a 27-9 mark against its crosstown rival, but fell last year, 3-1. The Eagles were 20-13 a year ago and fell in the Patriot League Championship, ending a string of six straight conference championships. This season, AU has been picked to win the Patriot League with junior Helena Elbaek earning Preseason All-Conference honors.
Hartford had one of its better seasons in recent memory in 2018, posting 11 wins for the first time since 2014 and advancing to the America East tournament for the first time since 1996. The Hawks, who were picked third in the preseason America East poll, return nine players from last year's team, including the reigning league Player of the Year, senior Jenna Bridges. GW won the only previous meeting in four sets in 2007.
Howard is coming off a MEAC Championship a season ago and a fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Bison, who are again picked to win the MEAC Northern Division, had three players named to the Preseason All-Conference team in senior Kira Porter and junior Jurnee Tipton and Fola Wilson. GW is 19-8 against HU all-time, but fell in straight sets in the season opener last year.
WELCOME BACK: GW has four starters plus its libero back from last year's team that finished strong with three straight wins to end the year. Seniors Skylar Iott (385 kills) and Jordan Young (185) are the top returning outside hitters with classmate Jaimeson Lee returning as the primary distributor after recording nearly 900 assists last season.
Junior Sydney Welch and sophomore Bella Bowman, who were the only two players to play in every set last season, anchor the defense at defensive specialist and libero, respectively.
NEW, BUT EXPERIENCED: Third-year head coach Sarah Bernson bolstered the team's roster with the addition of two graduate transfers in Caroline Sklaver (Princeton) and Paty Valle (TCU). Sklaver is a former All-Conference selection for Princeton, where she served as the team's starting middle blocker for the last two years, advancing to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. Valle is an immediate impact on the right side, also bringing international experience while playing as a member of the Mexican National Team.
TOURNAMENT TIME: Three other neutral site games will take place prior to each of GW's games so start times may be slightly altered. The full schedule along with live stats and live video (GW games only) links are available at the tournament central page here.
ACROSS THE NET: American visits Smith Center for the second straight year in the 37th all-time meeting between the program. GW has posted a 27-9 mark against its crosstown rival, but fell last year, 3-1. The Eagles were 20-13 a year ago and fell in the Patriot League Championship, ending a string of six straight conference championships. This season, AU has been picked to win the Patriot League with junior Helena Elbaek earning Preseason All-Conference honors.
Hartford had one of its better seasons in recent memory in 2018, posting 11 wins for the first time since 2014 and advancing to the America East tournament for the first time since 1996. The Hawks, who were picked third in the preseason America East poll, return nine players from last year's team, including the reigning league Player of the Year, senior Jenna Bridges. GW won the only previous meeting in four sets in 2007.
Howard is coming off a MEAC Championship a season ago and a fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Bison, who are again picked to win the MEAC Northern Division, had three players named to the Preseason All-Conference team in senior Kira Porter and junior Jurnee Tipton and Fola Wilson. GW is 19-8 against HU all-time, but fell in straight sets in the season opener last year.
WELCOME BACK: GW has four starters plus its libero back from last year's team that finished strong with three straight wins to end the year. Seniors Skylar Iott (385 kills) and Jordan Young (185) are the top returning outside hitters with classmate Jaimeson Lee returning as the primary distributor after recording nearly 900 assists last season.
Junior Sydney Welch and sophomore Bella Bowman, who were the only two players to play in every set last season, anchor the defense at defensive specialist and libero, respectively.
NEW, BUT EXPERIENCED: Third-year head coach Sarah Bernson bolstered the team's roster with the addition of two graduate transfers in Caroline Sklaver (Princeton) and Paty Valle (TCU). Sklaver is a former All-Conference selection for Princeton, where she served as the team's starting middle blocker for the last two years, advancing to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. Valle is an immediate impact on the right side, also bringing international experience while playing as a member of the Mexican National Team.
Players Mentioned
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Then & Now: Volleyball
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GW Water Polo vs Fordham
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