Volleyball Set to Open 2024 in DC Challenge

Friday, August 30

Washington, DC

6 p.m.

George Washington University

UC Riverside

Tickets

8/29/2024 11:51:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

WASHINGTON – GW volleyball will begin its 2024 campaign with three matches at the Charles E. Smith Center, hosting UC Riverside on Friday for a 6 p.m. first serve, Howard on Saturday for a 1 p.m. start, and American at 4 p.m. on Sunday. All matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.

ABOUT LAST YEAR
In Head Coach Katie Reifert's second year at the helm of the program, GW finished the season 7-22 overall and 4-14 in conference play. During the 2023 regular season, GW finished among the top five in hitting percentage within the A-10. Individually, Maeve Loughran finished fifth in assists across the A-10 (758), while Amina Robinson finished 10^th in digs (346).

GW returns 12 letterwinners from last season, including veterans Brittany Myers, Salem Yohannes, and MC Daubendiek. Last season, Myers clocked 240 kills and Yohannes contributed 225. Daubendiek will return for her senior season with the Revolutionaries, looking to capitalize on previous conference honors from the 2022 campaign. Defensively, graduate Kelsey Watkins tallied 82 blocks and will be a key defensive component at the net this season.

NEW FACES
This offseason, the Buff & Blue welcomed seven newcomers: Cianna Tejada, Cayla Cogan, Riley Samuel, Taylor Treahy, Reilly Heinrich, Tessa de Albergaria, Abby Markworth. Tejada and Heinrich are transfer student-athletes, while Cogan, Samuel, Treahy, de Albergaria, and Markworth will compete in their first collegiate season for the Buff & Blue.

ON THE OPPONENTS
The Revolutionaries will be tested this weekend by American, Howard and UC Riverside. This year, American's roster is highlighted by senior Esma Sipahi. Sipahi has been selected as a preseason All-Patriot League player and is projected to pick up Setter of the Year accolades from the league for the second-straight season. The Eagles are projected to finish second in the Patriot League this year under the direction of second year Head Coach Ahen Kim.

The Howard Bison enter 2024 picked to finish first in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference preseason poll. Rounding out the Bison roster are junior outside hitter Rya McKinnon and senior middle blocker Cimone Woodard. Both were selected to the Preseason All-MEAC Team, and McKinnon was selected as the MEAC Preseason Player of the Year for the 2024 campaign.

UC Riverside will also travel to Washington to face the Revolutionaries. The Highlanders finished the 2023 season 6-24 and will look to earn an early win against the Revolutionaries on Friday night.